2026nagano– tag –
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[Family 3-Day Itinerary] Karuizawa & Eastern Nagano Castle Route | Tatsuoka, Komoro, Ueda, the Sanada Homeland and Shiraito Falls by Shinkansen + Rental Car
Our real 3-day family itinerary: Shinkansen to Karuizawa, then a rental car to Tatsuoka Castle Goryokaku, Komoro Castle, Ueda Castle, the Sanada clan residence, Shiraito Falls and the Karuizawa outlet mall. Plus a lodging tip we learned the hard way: for castle hopping, stay near Ueda or Komoro Station. -
[Japan’s 100 Fine Castles No. 28] Komoro Castle (Kaikoen) | Highlights, Time Needed and Access for a “Sunken Castle” Lower Than Its Town
We visited Komoro Castle (Kaikoen), a rare "sunken castle" lower than its town. Sengoku Hidehisa's stone walls, Yamamoto Kansuke's Mirror Stone, Tokugawa Hidetada's Ueda headquarters, stamp location (no ticket needed), time needed and evening tips. -
[Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan – No.129] Exploring Tatsuoka Castle Goryokaku: A Rare Star-Shaped Fortress in Nagano
Tatsuoka Castle Goryokaku (Continued Top 100 Castles No. 129), one of only two star-shaped forts in Japan: time needed, route, parking and fees for families. Stamp at “Deai no Yakata,” about 2 hours including the viewpoint. -
[100 Fine Castles of Japan – No.027] Ueda Castle: Decoding Sanada’s Masterful Tactics and Terrain Traps That Repelled the Tokugawa Twice
Ueda Castle (Japan's Top 100 Castles No. 27) with our 8-year-old son: how the Sanada twice repelled the Tokugawa using cliffs and terrain. Stamp at the castle park management office and other spots, about 4 hours.
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