Welcome to Ueda, Nagano: A Place of Samurai Legend, Living Tradition, Nostalgic Charm & Healing Hot Springs
As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Ueda is one of Central Japan’s most historic and enjoyable cities – a place known for its legendary samurai, strong traditions and nostalgic delights along with some of regions best ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs). On this page you will find the following information:
— Where is Ueda & Bessho Onsen?
— What to Expect & Why You Should Visit
— Best Things to Do Around Ueda & Bessho Onsen
— Where to Stay in Ueda & Bessho Onsen?
— How to Get to Ueda & Bessho Onsen
— Recommended Travel Itinerary: Karuizawa — Ueda — Nagano
Conveniently located between Nagano and Karuizawa, Ueda and the nearby hot spring town of Bessho Onsen blend the historic with the nostalgic in creating a charming destination offering lots of little delights and surprises. As the former stronghold of the legendary Sanada clan, Ueda is a historically important city best-known for its castle park. A place of quaint charms and nostalgia, good food, good drink and indulgent hot springs, it may be the long-told stories of samurai that lure you to Ueda but its everything else that will make you happy you came.
WHERE IS UEDA & BESSHO ONSEN?
Located approximately 40KM / 60 minutes drive to the south of Nagano City, Ueda is the third largest city in Nagano Prefecture. A historic and quaint city, Ueda is readily accessible from Nagano, Karuizawa, Tokyo – which lies around 210kn to the southeast – Toyama and Kanazawa thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen that services those and other stations. Once in Ueda, visitors will discover a historic and quaint town with lots of charm including the nearby hot spring area of Bessho Onsen. Accessible from Ueda Station using the local Bessho Line, the famous hot springs and temples of the surrounding area draw visitors from all over Japan and enjoy increasing attention from international travellers.
WHAT TO EXPECT & WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT
As the former stronghold of the legendary Sanada clan, Ueda is a place of true historic significance coupled with nostalgia of the more recent past. Any visit to Ueda begins at Ueda Castle Park, where visitors can walk in the shadow of the fearsome samurai that fought and repelled the equally legendary Tokugawa clan, before moving onto Yanagimachi – a popular shopping and dining street once part of the Hokkou Kaido. Once in Ueda, visitors also discover place steeped in Showa Period (1926-1989) charm including the retro district of Fukuromachi including its beloved Ueda Eigeki cinema, the traditional sweets of Iijima Shoten and other quaint reminders of yesteryear. Nearby Bessho Onsen blends the historic and retro with pure relaxation, as one of Nagano’s best-known Showa Period hot spring towns and beautiful collection of temples. Conveniently located between Nagano and Karuizawa, Ueda and Bessho Onsen can be enjoyed as daytrips from both of those cities or most enjoyably, as an overnight / multiday visit.
BEST THINGS TO DO AROUND UEDA & BESSHO ONSEN
To this day, Ueda Castle Park is in every sense the true heart of the city. Located under 15 minutes walk from Ueda Station, the expansive park sits on the foundations and grounds of the former castle that twice repelled the fearsome Tokugawa clan. While the original castle no longer stands, the park includes reconstructions of the East Gate and their defensive turrets and hosts festivals throughout the year including the ‘Ueda Sanada Festival’ – a colourful and exuberant celebration of Ueda’s legendary samurai held each April.
From the castle, visitors can walk onto Yanagimachi – a historic shopping and dining street that remains in a beautiful state of preservation, lined with traditional merchant buildings housing a range of stores and eateries. As you wander, you’ll discover a quaint city steeped in Showa Period (1926-1989) charm including the retro district of Fukuromachi including its beloved Ueda Eigeki cinema, the traditional sweets of Iijima Shoten and other quaint reminders of yesteryear.
Nearby Bessho Onsen blends the historic and retro with pure relaxation, as one of Nagano’s best-known Showa Period hot spring towns and beautiful collection of temples; while the hidden hot spring enclaves of Kakeyu Onsen and Kakuma Onsen offer an even greater sense of escape from the worries and stresses of the world. Conveniently located between Nagano and Karuizawa, Ueda and Bessho Onsen can be enjoyed as daytrips from both of those cities or most enjoyably, as an overnight / multiday visit at all times of year. For more information about what’s on offer, see our ’25 Things to Do Around Ueda / Bessho Onsen & Where to Stay’ page.
WHERE TO STAY?
Visitors to the Ueda and Bessho Onsen area can choose between a range of accommodation including Western-style hotels, hot spring guesthouses, ski lodges and more. Accommodation is dotted throughout the area with the largest concentration of hotels and guesthouses in the following areas:
UEDA CITY
Visitors travelling to and from Ueda by train, and prioritising ease of access when looking for accommodation, should consider staying around Ueda Station. In that area you will find multiple business and other Western-style hotels providing easy access to the station and attractions including Ueda Castle Park, Yanagimachi, Fukuromachi and many of the destinations listed above. For accommodation listings, see the ‘Ueda City Centre’ hotel page.
BESSHO ONSEN
The hot spring town of Bessho Onsen is only 30 minutes by train from Ueda Station. Famous for its many ‘onsen’ (hot springs) and temples, staying in Bessho is a great option of travelers wanting to enjoy the traditions and comforts of a hot spring guesthouse. There are plenty options to choose from including high-end, mid-range and budget options. One thing to note is that many if not most accommodation in Bessho Onsen include Japanese-style rooms including on-floor ‘futon’ bedding, low furniture and shared bathrooms. If that is an issue for you, make sure to check the features of your chosen hotel prior to booking. For accommodation listings, see the ‘Ueda: Bessho Onsen’ hotel page.
SUGADAIRA KOGEN
Sugadaira Kogen is located around 60 minutes drive from Ueda Station, home to one of Nagano’s largest ski resorts and highlands sports venues, farms and plenty of accommodation. Hotels and lodges are dotted across the highlands, largely centred around the three areas of the ski resort – Taro, Davos and Pine Beak. Options range for large hotels to small, family-run lodges. As detailed on our Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort page, the overall ski resort is best-suited to beginner skiers and boarders or anyone looking for a more ‘authentic’ Japanese ski experience away from the crowds of Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen. For accommodation listings, see the ‘Ueda: Sugadaira Kogen’ hotel page.
UTSUKUSHIGHARA KOGEN
Around 70 minutes drive from central Ueda City, Utsukushighara Kogen is another beautiful highland area known for its leisurely walking trails, panoramic views, star-filled night sky and Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum. There’s a small amount of accommodation to choose from in the area including a couple of hotels and campgrounds. For accommodation listings, see the ‘Ueda: Utsukushigahara Kogen’ hotel page.
HOW TO GET TO UEDA & BESSHO ONSEN
As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Ueda is quick and easy to reach including from nearby Nagano and Karuizawa, or should you wish to go slow, using the Rokumon Sightseeing Train. Our ‘How to Get to Ueda & Bessho Onsen’ page has directions of just how to get there from those and other popular starting points.
RECOMMENDED TRAVEL ITINEARY: KARUIZAWA — UEDA — NAGANO
Ueda and Bessho Onsen are fantastic destinations in their own right and especially so when combined with visits to nearby Karuizawa and Nagano City. All three cities are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line – running from Tokyo to Kanazawa – while also connected by local services including the always popular Rokumon Sightseeing Train. No matter how you plan to travel between them, the three cities connect to offer one of Central Japan’s most rewarding travel routes, starting in:
KARUIZAWA
Karuizawa is one of Japan’s most famous resort towns offering lots of reasons to visit. Within easy reach of Tokyo, both Japanese and international visitors flock to Karuizawa to enjoy its cool alpine climate, shopping, restaurants, museum, galleries and array of great accommodation. For the shoppers among us, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza boasts a huge number of stores including international brands and high-end labels while the nearby Ginza Shopping Street in the old town centre affords a quieter, quainter experience. Good restaurants and cafes are in abundance across Karuizawa, including in its always popular Harunire Terrace with nearby Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-Yu, Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary, Shiraito Falls, Kumano Pond and of course, Karuizawa Snow Resort offering plenty of things to see and do before moving on. For more information of what’s on offer, see our ’30 Things to Do Around Ueda / Bessho Onsen & Where to Stay’ page.
UEDA
From Karuizawa Station, travellers can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen onto Ueda Station – a journey of less of than 20 minutes. Once in Ueda, visitors can enjoy all of the attractions and activities discussed above and more, including heading onto nearby Bessho Onsen. As Nagano’s oldest ‘onsen’ (hot spring) town, Bessho Onsen boasts a large number of hotels and guesthouses offering traditional comforts including ‘kaiseki’ (multicourse) dining and total relaxation. To reach Bessho Onsen from Ueda, take the local Bessho Line – a simple and picturesque 30 minute journey along the single track, dual carriage train service. For more information about what’s on offer, see our ’25 Things to Do Around Ueda / Bessho Onsen & Where to Stay’ page.
NAGANO
When ready to move on, visitors have a short journey of only 12 minutes using the Hokuriku Shinkansen onto Nagano City. As the largest city in the region, Nagano is the northern hub and home to attractions including Zenko-ji – one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples – along with the forest shrines of Togakushi and hidden samurai enclave of Matsushiro. Nagano is also the launching point from where to visit attractions including the Jigokudani Monkey Park, the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and some of Japan’s best ski resorts. Host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Nagano is home to a huge number of ski resorts including Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest and highest resort – along with Nozawa Onsen and the resorts of Hakuba Valley. Most famous for the deep snow of winter, the mountains of Nagano are just as large in summer enticing visitors back to enjoy some of Japan’s best hiking and striking alpine landscapes including the celebrated valley of Kamikochi. For more information of what’s on offer, see our ’40 Things to Do Around Nagano & Where to Stay’ page.
BEST WAY TO TRAVEL?
How much time you need to visit all three destinations depends on what captures your interest and how you wish to travel, but we recommend allowing at least two nights or more.. Visitors holding a Japan Rail (JR) Pass can use any service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line for no additional charge, with the total journey from Karuizawa to Nagano via Ueda taking only 30 minutes. Travellers who want to move a little slower, can make use of local services between the three cities including the Rokumon Sightseeing Train.
Operating from March to September, the Rokumon Sightseeing Train is one of the most enjoyable ways to journey through the region while connecting three of its most rewarding destinations. Taking 2.5 hours to cover the journey from Karuizawa to Nagano, the three-carriage sightseeing train features local timber throughout instilling the experience with a relaxing and classic atmosphere. Depending on your preference, you can choose between menus of which the ’kaiseki’ (multi-course) Japanese menu and Western menu paired with local wine are highlights.
The train takes its name from the distinctive six coin emblem of Ueda’s Sanada clan, almost compelling you to disembark at Ueda to visit the castle park and any of the attractions listed above. Tere are two services each day – from both Nagano and Karuizawa – with the full journey costing JPY15,800 including your meal. Reservations can be made through the official website.
