Ueda Castle

A Small Castle with a Big Reputation.

One of Ueda City’s main claims to fame is a small castle with a big reputation. Ueda Castle once sat on a cliff facing the Saigawa River. Ueda Castle was also known as Amagafuchi-Jo, Isesaki-Jo, Matsuo-Jo and even Sanada-Jo after its first master, Sanada Masayuki who built the castle around 1583. The sturdy but small fortress made good use of the surrounding natural defences for protection, including the river and the steep, rocky cliffs, the layout of the town below and even the cleverly designed waterways all helped to hinder any attackers. Ueda Castle was surrounded by seven defensive yagura watchtowers atop the sturdy stone and earthen walls and was serviced by two large gates with watchtowers built above them.