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Travel Reports by PeterNinnes
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view profile of PeterNinnes
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Peter is a long-term Japan resident and author of "Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 20 Nature, History and Culture Tours in Chikuma City"
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December 7, 2011 - Ueda Castle, Nagano - Defensive Heroics
Ueda Castle, in Ueda City, Nagano, has a famous history. It was built by the ruling Sanada clan in the 1500s. In 1585 it was successfully defended by Sanada Masuyuki and his 2000 soldiers against the might of the 7000 strong Tokugawa clan soldiers. Then, in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu (who later became Shogun of all Japan) sent his son Tokugawa Hidetada to take Ueda Castle on the way to joining the famous battle of Sekigahara. The 38,000 Tokugawa soldiers were holed up in Ueda for so long, trying to defeat the 2000 Sanada Clan defenders, that they were late for the battle of Sekigahara, and missed it entirely, much to the reported displeasure of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Sanada Masuyuki became famous as a master strategist. However, the castle did fall to the Tokugawa forces at the third attempt, and was then rebuilt by the Sengoku Clan in 1626. Alas, however, it could not resist the forces of the Meiji Restoration, and most of the castle complex was destroyed in the 1870s as feudalism was abolished in Japan. The three remaining watch towers and main gate are from the Sengoku rebuild, and are said to be based on the original 16th century design. The area around them is a public park, and is famous for its autumn colors and cherry blossoms.  The northwest tower and ramparts viewed from the park to the west.  The northwest tower as viewed through a maple tree The main gate and its eastern watch tower
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