Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Ueda

Visit This Hidden Gem in Nagano

These days, almost everyone has heard of Nagano. Thanks to its capital city being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, this part of central Japan has a lot of recognition internationally (even among those who have never visited the country before). Alas, while places like Nagano City and the ski slopes Hakuba might have developed a bit of a reputation for themselves, other parts of the prefecture are still largely unknown overseas. Today, we’ll be taking a look at just one of these locales — the former castle town of Ueda.

If the name Ueda somehow rings a bell, it is likely because you passed it when going to the likes of Kanazawa or Nagano City. Unbeknownst to most overseas visitors to Japan though, this part of the country has a rich historical pedigree. Why not exactly a place that I would recommend for first-timers, Ueda has all of the trappings of the perfect, off-of-the-beaten-path destination. Here, you’ll find abundant natural beauty, hot spring towns and, of course, samurai-related history.

Though there are indeed many other locations in Japan that beat out Ueda in a single category, few other places can offer the same sheer variety. Especially when you consider that Ueda combines very well with a trip to Nagano…