Eastern Japan is home to some of the best cherry blossom viewing (花見 hanami) spots in Japan, and many people would visit these hotspots time and time again. Some would go the extra mile to find certain special hanami spots, such as those with a majestic castle in the backdrop for an added exquisite to an already mesmerising view.
Previously I wrote about those located in the Tohoku Region (東北地方), a region with plenty of history and culture, as well as beautiful places. This time we will be looking at those in the Shinetsu Region (信越地方), which is made up of prefectures Nagano (長野県) and Niigata (新潟県). And like those in Tohoku, most of these spots are also among the 100 Fine Castles of Japan (日本百名城 Nihon Hyaku-Meijō), a list curated by the Japan Castle Foundation.
Witnessing cherry blossoms blooming amid a castle backdrop is a magnificent scenery that can be hard to put into words, so visitors to Japan especially during spring season would not want to miss this temporal opportunity.
(Note: this is part three of the four-part Sakura Series, specially focusing on the upcoming spring season in Japan. Take note that the cherry blossom periods below are subjected to weather conditions.)
① Matsumoto Castle Park (松本城公園)
Cherry blossom period: Early April–mid-April
We begin with Nagano Prefecture in the city of Matsumoto (松本市). When it comes to cherry blossom viewing spots in this historical city, many would choose Matsumoto Castle Park as one of the top candidates. Cherry blossoms would bloom gloriously in spring here, with their petals carpeting the still waters of the outer moat of the outstanding piece of architecture standing tall in the centre of the park.
Matsumoto Castle Park (松本城公園)
Address: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873
Access: 15-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station (JR松本駅)
Backdrop: Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
Matsumoto Castle is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most significant and outstanding historical castles. Not only is it considered one of the country’s finest examples of Japan’s feudal structures from the Sengoku Period (1467–1615), but unlike many other castles, it’s a hirajō-style (平城) where the castle is built on a flatland instead of on a slope or hilltop. Interestingly, the locals refer to it as the “Crow Castle” (烏城) because of its black exteriors, and how the roofs resemble spreading wings.
Matsumoto Castle is one of the five National Treasures of Japan (国宝) for castles, and is one of the most sought-after spots for cherry blossom viewing. Every spring it hosts events such as the Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing (夜桜会 yozakura) and the Corridor of Light (光の回廊 Hikari-no-Kairō), where a row of cherry blossom trees leading to the castle would be lit up at night.
② Takato Castle Ruins Park (高遠城跡公園)
Cherry blossom period: Early April–mid-April
Approximately 60km south of Matsumoto is the city of Ina (伊那市), which is home to what is considered to be one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Takato Castle Ruins Park is the go-to for seeing cherry blossoms blooming in spring, and many people go to a specific arched bridge named Ōunkyō (櫻雲橋 Cherry Blossom Cloud Bridge), which is said to be one of the best spots to see cherry blossoms in the park. One interesting fact to note is that the cherry blossom trees at the park were planted in the Meiji Era (1868–1912). One interesting thing to note: this park is one of the top three places in Japan for night sakura.
One special thing that visitors can see at this park is a type of cherry blossoms that bloom here: the Takatо̄ Kohigan Zakura (タカトオコヒガンザクラ). Unlike the more common Somei Yoshino (ソメイヨシノ Yoshino cherry) that people often see in most places, this variety is denser with more flowers per branch, and the colour is more saturated with a darker pink colour. These flowers are sometimes referred to as “the best cherry blossoms in the world” (天下第一の桜) too
Takato Castle Ruins Park (高遠城跡公園)
Address: 810-1 Takatomachi Nishitakato, Ina, Nagano 396-0211
Access: 50-minute bus ride from JR Chino Station (JR茅野駅)
Backdrop: Takato Castle (高遠城)
Originally built sometime in the Sengoku Period, Takato Castle was once known as Kabuto Caste (兜山城). However, after the end of the Edo Period (1603–1868), most of the castle structures were demolished and the remaining gates were donated to nearby temples. Today, the park features an eclectic mix of the remaining castle ruins and newer structures such as Taiko-yagura (太鼓やぐら), a drum-shaped tower that offers a splendid view of the surrounding park, and the Shinshu-Takato Art Museum.
③ Matsushiro Castle Park (松代城跡公園)
Cherry blossom period: Early April–mid-April
Tucked in the historical samurai town of Matsushiro (now part of Nagano City) is Matsushiro Castle Park, a spot that locals know is one of the best spots for viewing cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom trees are plentiful here, and more people come to visit here year after year just to see them. Perhaps most importantly, the park is famous for one special reason…
Matsushiro Castle Park (松代城跡公園)
Address: 44-Matsushiro, Matsushiromachi, Nagano-shi, Nagano 381-1231
Access: 30-minute bus ride from JR Nagano Station (JR長野駅)
Backdrop: Matsushiro Castle (松代城)
Matsushiro Castle is the centrepiece of the whole town, a hirajō-style castle built during the Sengoku Period. Formerly known as Kaizu Castle (海津城 Kaizu-jō), the castle witnessed many battles throughout generations, and was demolished in the advent of the Meiji Era. The main gates and moats we see today were reconstructed using traditional methods to preserve its authenticity, and the cherry blossom trees are located in the castle’s former inner courtyard.
④ Ueda Castle Park (上田城跡公園)
Cherry blossom period: Early April–mid-April
In the northern side of Nagano Prefecture is the quiet city of Ueda (上田市), home to the Ueda Castle Park where up to 1,000 cherry blossom trees bloom in spring. It’s one of the popular cherry blossom viewing sites in the northern part of Nagano, and like Matsushiro, Ueda is famous for its feudal history. The park is home to remnants of yet another important castle in the prefecture.
Ueda Castle Park (上田城跡公園)
Address: 2 Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano 386-0026
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Ueda Station (JR上田駅)
Backdrop: Ueda Castle (上田城)
Perched on a hill overlooking a branch of the Chikuma River (千曲川) below is Ueda Castle, another important landmark also from the Sengoku Period. The castle belonged to a powerful samurai clan back then, and over the years it has experienced many battles. Like many other castles, most of the castle structures were torn down during the Meiji Era, with a few being reconstructed and maintained in the 20th century.
⑤ Komoro Kaikoen Castle Ruins Park (小諸城址懐古園)
Cherry blossom period: Early April–mid-April
Our last cherry blossom viewing spot in Nagano brings us to Komoro Kaikoen Castle Ruins Park, or Kaikoen for short. The name “Kaikoen” (懐古園) means “nostalgia park”, and locals (and increasingly, foreign visitors too) recognise it as one of the best places to view Yoshino cherry blossoms blooming in spring. The sprawling garden features various attractions, such as the Komoro City Zoo, Fujimura Memorial Museum, and several memorial halls. But perhaps most importantly, there’s a historical relic located right in the heart of the park.
Komoro Kaikoen Castle Ruins Park (小諸城址懐古園)
Address: 311 Tei, Komoro, Nagano 384-0804
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Komoro Station (JR小諸駅)
Backdrop: Komoro Castle (小諸城)
Komoro Castle is a historical landmark from the Muromachi Period (1336–1573) that has witnessed and endured many battles since its establishment. Like many of its castle counterparts in the region, most of the castle structures were demolished or donated to nearby temples at the start of the Meiji Era. Only a few original structures remain of the castle, including the gates Ōtemon (大手門) and San-no-Mon (三之門), both of which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties (重要文化財).
Interestingly, Komoro Castle is known for its unusual layout. Unlike most other castles which are built on a hilltop or highland, this castle is built on a lowland with an elevation lower than the surrounding town, so visitors can see the inside of the castle compound from the outside. Instead of a traditional moat filled with water, the castle uses the surrounding deep valley as an empty moat, and the cliff of the nearby Chikuma River on the western front serves as a natural defence against invading enemies in the past.
⑥ Takada Castle Ruins Park (高田城跡公園)
Cherry blossom period: Mid-April–late-April
Next, we move over to the prefecture of Niigata where we find a park famous as a venue for viewing gorgeous cherry blossoms in spring. Takada Castle Ruins Park, located in the city of Joetsu (上越市) on the southern side of Niigata, is a park where throngs of visitors come to see over 4,000 cherry blossom trees blooming in spring, and the main highlight is Sakura Road, which is a tunnel of cherry blossom trees that are illuminated at night. Another sight to catch here is cherry blossom trees lit up by lanterns reflecting on the still waters of the surrounding moat. And, you might be interested to know that this park is also one of the top three places in Japan for night sakura, just like the Takato Castle Ruins Park mentioned above.
Takada Castle Ruins Park (高田城跡公園)
Address: 44-1 Motoshirocho, Joetsu, Niigata 943-0835
Access: 15-minute walk from Echigo TOKImeki Railway Takada Station (えちごトキめき鉄道 高田駅)
Backdrop: Takada Castle (高田城)
One of the most fascinating sceneries at the park is the view of a three-storied tower that belongs to Takada Castle, a historical relic of the region’s feudal past. The hirajō-style castle was from the Edo Period, and it has endured many disasters such as two earthquakes in 1665 and 1751, and two major fires in the 19th century. Many of the castle structures were dismantled during the Meiji Era, and the central and western portions of the castle grounds were converted into Takada Castle Ruins Park.
Interesting facts: the iconic tower that we see at the park today was built in 1993 as a reconstruction of the original structure, and the iconic Gokuraku Bridge (極楽橋), one that spans from the park to the inner castle compounds, underwent restoration in 2002.
⑦ Shibata Castle Ruins Park (新発田城址公園)
Cherry blossom period: Mid-April–late-April
Lastly, we have Shibata Castle Ruins Park located in the city of Shibata (新発田市) on the northern side of Niigata. The park is home to some of the best views of cherry blossoms and is a popular place for recreation and relaxation. One of the sights to catch during spring is traditional paper lanterns illuminating the castle in the park.
Shibata Castle Ruins Park (新発田城址公園)
Address: 6 Otemachi, Shibata, Niigata 957-0052
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Shibata Station (JR新発田駅)
Backdrop: Shibata Castle (新発田城)
Sitting in the middle of the park is Shibata Castle, our final castle on this list. Also formerly known as “Iris Castle” (菖蒲城 Ayame-jō), this castle was built during the early Kamakura Period (1185–1333) and was rebuilt several times throughout the years after withstanding several battles and fires. The oldest original structure that remains to this day is the main gate (表門 Omote-mon), which dates back to 1732. Furthermore, the gate and Ninomaru Sumi Yagura (二の丸隅櫓), one of the castle towers, are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
Interestingly, many of the sites of Shibata Castle are not accessible to the public because they currently belong to the Japanese military. It is said that the castle is nicknamed “Sengoku Self-Defense Force Castle.”
Closing
Castles play a symbolic role in Japan, for they embody the country’s rich history and heritage. Together with cherry blossoms in spring, they form a unique identity for Japan, one that draws millions of visitors from all over the world annually. Shin’etsu is one of the regions that is home to some of Japan’s best sites for viewing these beautiful flowers, and to see them with a castle in the backdrop is something everyone should experience.
Stay tuned for my next (and final) Sakura Series article, where I will explore a uniquely exquisite view that can be seen only during spring: the lone cherry blossom tree.
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥27,000, making it a considerable option for those planning to visit Nagano and Niigata from Tokyo. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free, on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
Header image credit: Niigata Prefecture
