Ueda Castle" in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, the subject of a popular historical drama Video Introduction This video, titled "[Aerial Footage] A Travelogue of Ueda Castle [Drone]" (【空撮】空撮上田城紀行　【ドローン】), was produced by "HEXaMedia." Ueda Castle, introduced in the video, is a castle that was built by Sanada Masayuki, the father of the famous warlord Sanada Yukimura. Currently, it is a proud historical tourist destination in Ueda city, Nagano prefecture, and is included in "Japan's Top 100 Castles" and is also a "Night View Heritage of Japan." The castle was constructed during the Tensho period (1573-1592) in the Warring States period (1467-1615). Ueda Castle is also famous for being an impregnable castle, having survived 2 fierce attacks by the Tokugawa Family. The depiction of the Tokugawa Family attacking the castle at the battle of Ueda Castle has been used for many TV dramas and movies. In recent years, it has become widely talked about as the stage of the first of the Ueda Battles in the NHK TV Taiga Drama "Sanadamaru." This time, we introduce a video showing beautiful aerial views of the Ueda Castle ruins, shot via drone. Present-Day Ueda Castle Photo：Nagano prefecture, Ueda Castle The present-day Ueda Castle ruins are a restoration that was done in 1994. It consists of a pillar stone on the right side of the inner citadel which was made by Sanada Masayuki, and a tower gate that was demolished in the Meiji era (1868-1912). It was also called Amagabuchi Castle due to the fact that it was located on the north side of the Ueda Basin and adjacent to Amagabuchi, a distributary of the Chikuma River. Surrounded by the Chikuma River in the south, the Amagabuchi distributary in the north, the Yadezawa River to the west, and the Hiruzawa River in the east; the Ueda Castle was a natural fortress that survived the fierce attacks of the Tokugawa army twice. However, during the reign of the 7th castle lord, Matsudaira Tadachika, the stone walls that were damaged by the flood of Kyoho were restored. As you can see from 1:59 in the video, the present-day ruins of the inner citadel of Ueda Castle have become Sanada Shrine and the old well that is there is called the Sanada well, which is said to have been a secret passage that led to the Taro Mountain Foothills located north of the castle. The History of Ueda Castle Photo：Nagano prefecture, Ueda Castle Ueda Castle, which was said to have been impregnable, was used by many castle lords even after the Sanada clan was placed under house arrest (a punishment of being confined in one room). After the Battle of Sekigahara, Sengoku Tadamasa became the lord of the castle. Originally, Ueda Castle was located in the province of Shinano, sandwiched between the eastern and western armies, and was designed and built to specialize in defense rather than as a base for attack. Traditionally, it was standard practice to build a castle tower on the roof of the inner citadel, but no such records of a castle tower at Ueda Castle exist. Ueda Castle reigned in the Shinano Province for approximately 300 years from the year it was built to the era of Tadafusa Matsudaira, the last lord of the castle, and the Ueda Castle Town is said to have prospered as a key transportation hub. Highlights of Ueda Castle Source :YouTube screenshot At present, Ueda Castle is without an inner citadel or castle tower; however, there are still a lot of places to see due to its unique structure. These include the Southern watchtower, Northern watchtower, and the Higashi Koguchi Watchtower Gate (0:24 in the video). In the spring, there's the Senbon Zakura Festival (Festival of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms) and in the fall, Ueda Castle Keyaki Tree Autumnal Color Festival is held. The Sanada Festival is held every year at the Ueda Castle castle-town. During this time, you can enjoy the illuminated Ueda Castle ruins. Also, at the Higashi Koguchi main gates, there's the Sanada stone, which is said to be a remnant of the Sanada Family. The West watchtower (0:34- of the video) was built by Sengoku Tadamasa in the Warring States period and it is the only historical building still around from the Edo period (1603-1868). ・Ishidoi This is a stone canal that leads from Ninomaru in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture to the track and field stadium at the site of the Hyakenbori Ruins. ・Sumiotoshi The unique shape of the sumiotoshi in the inner citadel was created by cutting off a corner of the earthen mound to ward off evil spirits with feng shui. ・Ueda City Museum A museum located in the Ueda Castle Ruins Park. Summary of Ueda Castle Photo：Ema of Ueda Castle Ruins Park Ueda Castle Site Park, the centerpiece of Ueda City's tourism, offers a variety of hospitality in addition to events to welcome visitors. The red seal of Sanada Shrine and the castle seal of Ueda Castle are great ways to remember your visit. For more information on parking, transportation, and event guides to the castle, please visit the Ueda Castle official website. Ueda Castle was once an unbeatable castle that not even the famous Tokugawa Ieyasu or Toyotomi Hideyoshi could conquer. Visit Ueda Castle and learn about the fierce warriors, such as Sanada Juyushi led by Yukimura, and the warrior Sanada Nobushige that was said to be the strongest in Japan! 【Tripadvisor】Ueda Castle https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1021326-d1412214-Reviews-Ueda_Castle-Ueda_Nagano_Prefecture_Koshinetsu_Chubu.html

Togakushi Shrine" in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Video Introduction This video, titled "Togakushi Jinja - Oku Sha" (戸隠神社・奥社 Togakushi Jinja - Oku Sha), was created by "sirousaghi." Togakushi Shrine (戸隠神社, Togakushi Jinja), located in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, has an upper shrine and a middle shrine at the foot of Mt. Togakushi (戸隠山,Togakushiyama), which is said to have taken its present form from "Amano-Iwato," when the gods still walked the earth. At the end of the 270 stone steps is a shrine with a history of more than 2000 years, made up of five shrines, including Hoko-sha, Kuzuryu-sha, Hinomiko-sha, and more. In the days of Shinbutsu-shugo, a mixture of Shinto and Buddhism, it was called Togakushiyama Kenkoji and was a sacred site for Shugendo, and was widely worshipped until the separation of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. The upper shrine is dedicated to Ame-no-Tajikarao, who opened Amano-Iwato with his divine power. As the head shrine of Togakushi Shrine, the upper shrine is said to have the power to bring good luck, fulfill wishes, bring bountiful harvest, and bring victory in sports. The video starts from the Ikkan Ryuoshi, which can be seen at 0:43, and Zuishinmon Gate can be seen in the middle of the 2km long approach. This is followed by a line of around 150 Japanese cedar trees on the right and 130 on the left. Beyond that, there is Iizuna Shrine (飯縄社, Iizuna Jinja), which is shown from 1:39 in the video. In front of the upper shrine, there is Kuzuryu Shrine dedicated to Kuzuryu. The exact date is unknown, but it has been dedicated and worshipped as a Jinushigami since before Ame-no-Tajikarao was enshrined. The History of Togakushi Shrine Photo：Togakushi upper shrine shrine approach, Nagano Prefecture Togakushi Shrine is made up of five shrines around Mt. Togakushi, in northwestern Nagano. It is registered as a "Kokuhei Shosha" (a Shinto shrine that receives money from the national government or prefectural governments). There are many theories about the origin of the shrine, and one of them is that current upper shrine was built in 210 B.C., but Kuzuryu Shrine is said to be even older than the upper shrine. There is also a legend that Ame-no-Tajikarao was welcomed by Kuzuryu, the Jinushigami of the area. The name of Mt. Togakushi, which is also an object of worship of Togakushi Shrine, comes from the legend that Amaterasu-Ookami was angry with her brother Susano-o-Mikoto, who was hiding in Amano-Iwato, so, Ame-no-Tajikarao threw it with all his might, and a part of it flew away and became a mountain. There are two important cultural properties stored at Togakushi Shrine: the incomplete remains of "Hokekyo" volume 4 by Fujiwara no Sadanobu and |"Geshaku" which is one of the five ivory shaku existing in Japan. Access to Togakushi Shrine Photo：Togakushi upper shrine, Nagano Prefecture Access to Togakushi Shrine is as follows. 【Access via car】 If you're going via highway, get off at the Nagano Interchange or the Shinanomachi Interchange. We recommend getting off at the Shinanomachi Interchange. There is little traffic this way and getting to the shrine is easy. Take Route 18 towards downtown Nagano, turn right at the "Issa Memorial Museum Entrance" (一茶記念館入口) intersection, and pass through the foot of Mt. Kurohime (about 30 minutes). It's possible to drive to Togakushi Shrine, but you'll have to walk to the upper shrine, so please be aware that the parking lot can get quite crowded. 【Access via walking】 if you're coming on foot, you can take the train, bus, taxi, or use a car rental service. There is a local bus from JR Nagano Station to Togakushi Shrine, which takes about 70 minutes (Bus stop No.7 at Nagano Station). Sightseeing Information for Togakushi Shrine Photo：Zaru Soba There are a lot of sightseeing destinations around Togakushi Shrine: ・Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden ・Togakushi Folk Museum ・Togakushi Ninja Museum ・Ninja Trick Mansion ・Kagami Ike Pond ・Togakushi Campground ・Chibikko Ninja Village These are just a few famous sightseeing sites in Nagano. You can also enjoy specialties of Nagano, such as soba. Summary of Togakushi Shrine Photo：A row of cedar trees at upper Togakushi shrine, Nagano Prefecture While you can of course enjoy the history of Togakushi Shrine, it's also popular sightseeing spot for couples because of the two Japanese cedar trees, which are believed to bring good fortunate to couples. There's also "Togakushi Shrine Daidai Kagura," an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nagano. Togakushi Shrine is also one of the most famous power spots in Nagano. You can visit to collect shuin or buy good luck charms as well. There are many other amazing sightseeing locations, so be sure to explore the area during your visit to Nagano! 【Tripadvisor】Togakushi Shrine https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298565-d1371708-Reviews-Togakushi_Shrine_Okusha-Nagano_Nagano_Prefecture_Koshinetsu_Chubu.html

This video, titled "[4K] A Festival Float With a Dynamic Ceiling Painting by Katsushika Hokusai｜Obuse, Nagano｜The Hokusai Museum｜nippon.com" (【4K】葛飾北斎の天井絵が躍動する祭屋台：長野・小布施「北斎館」| nippon.com), was released by "nippon.com." Obuse, a popular tourist town in Nagano Prefecture, houses the Hokusai Museum, which exhibits paintings by Katsushika Hokusai. Katsushika Hokusai was an ukiyo-e artist from the Edo Period, and at the age of 83, he visited Obuse in Shinshu to work on a painting. At the Hokusai Museum in Obuse, a work called the "Matsuri Yatai" (festival float) is on display, which is said to be the only three-dimensional object created by Hokusai. The dynamic dragons and phoenixes on the festival float are a sight to behold. Be sure to visit the Hokusai Museum in Obuse to see the dynamic painting by Katsushika Hokusai.

Video introduction of Harunire Terrace "Karuizawa Umbrella Sky" in Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. This video, titled "Hoshino area of Karuizawa | Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2019"(軽井沢星野エリア｜軽井沢アンブレラスカイ2019), was uploaded by "Hoshino Resorts." This video shows the 2019 Karuizawa Umbrella Sky event, held every year during Japan's rainy season at Harunire Terrace in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa. The view of colorful umbrellas floating above the wooden deck connecting the different buildings in the area makes it a popular spot for Japanese Instagrammers. From June to early July, you can see many photos of the event on Instagram. This article provides easy-to-understand information about popular events. Be sure to check out the photogenic event in the video. What is Karuizawa Umbrella Sky? Photo：Karuizawa Umbrella Sky, Harunire Terrace Karuizawa Umbrella Sky is an event held in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa, operated by Hoshino Resorts in Karuizawa, Nagano, in Japan's Koshin'etsu region. 2023 will mark the 8th year the event is held. Here, we'll take a look at some things to see during the event. ●Umbrella Arcade The main attraction of the event is the "Umbrella Arcade" which features more than 100 colorful umbrellas floating above the deck of Harunire Terrace. Soap bubbles can be seen floating through the air three times a day, creating an exciting atmosphere for people of all ages. "Rainy Art," a pattern that appears on the wooden deck only on rainy days, and the reflection of umbrellas on the wet wooden deck are two more must-see attractions. [Video] 0:38 - Umbrellas Reflected on the Rainy Wooden Deck ●Bubbles and Umbrella Making Workshops (Held on Weekends) At the plaza next to "Hoshino Onsen Tombo no Yu" (Hoshino Onsen), bubble blowing workshops and umbrella making workshops are held for children to have fun with their parents. ●Exclusive Seasonal Beverages to Go With Japan's Rainy Season Drinks inspired by the colorful Karuizawa Umbrella Sky are also sold during the event. The Rainbow-colored Lemonade, a limited-quantity drink from Café Hungry Spot, is filled with colorful jelly and is the perfect drink for the event. Consider purchasing one and snapping some photos of the colorful drink with the lush greenery in the surrounding area. Karuizawa Umbrella Sky 2023: Event Schedule & Hours The 2023 Karuizawa Umbrella Sky event schedule is as follows: Event Period: June 2 - July 9 Hours: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Illumination Hours: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Bubbles: 10:00 am, 4:00 pm, 8:00 pm The event will be held at Harunire Terrace, a facility with a variety of restaurants and lifestyle stores in the Hoshino area of Karuizawa. The event is a great way to beat the blues brought on by Japan's rainy season, so definitely consider checking it out. Things to Do at Harunire Terrace at Karuizawa Hoshino Resorts Photo：Karuizawa Umbrella Sky at night Harunire Terrace was named after the more than 100 Harunire (Japanese elm) trees that used to grow in the area. There are restaurants, cafes, sweets, and lifestyle & relaxation stores, all connected via a wooden deck. You can see a video of Harunire Terrace after the sun sets in the video. [Video] 0:47 - Harunire Terrace at Night You can enjoy shopping or even just window shopping at the various shops in the area, all the while enjoying Karuizawa Umbrella Sky, or just relax and enjoy a meal or tea time at a café. Pets are welcome on the terrace as well, so it's not uncommon to see people with their dogs. Before visiting Harunire Terrace, we recommend checking to see if there are any events being held in the area when you're planning on visiting. Harunire Terrace hosts the Umbrella Sky during the rainy season in Japan (early June to mid-July), illuminations around Christmas, and Halloween-related events in autumn. In addition, there are many trendy shops and specialty stores to browse, so you might consider making a list of the shops you want to take a look at before visiting if you have limited time. Restaurants, Cafes, and Souvenir Shops at Harunire Terrace Photo：Chairs at Harunire Terrace, Karuizawa Harunire Terrace features 16 restaurants, cafes, and other eateries, as well as furniture and even souvenir shops. Sawamura is a bakery/restaurant that is popular on Japanese social media. They offer takeout, but many people sit in for lunch. The pasta lunch comes with delicious bread, and the juicy hamburgers are to die for! After grabbing some lunch, you can relax on the terrace and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee from Maruyama Coffee. There's also a bookstore attached to the restaurant, so you can relax while reading. Kawakamian is known for its delicious soba noodles as well as shrimp tempura, etc. If you visit the restaurant in the evening, consider indulging in some delicious sake with various dishes, such as grilled duck and their tasty pork tatsuta-age (a marinated, fried pork dish). MORIASOBI is a shop that sells furniture and sundries, but it also serves meals and is open for tea time. We recommend trying the hot chocolate here, a popular drink on Japanese Instagram, which is made with foamed milk and melted chocolate. Izumiya (和泉屋) is a great shop for souvenirs and is popular for its delicious Japanese- and Western-style confections. The cheesecake, called "Hanjuku Cake," has an irresistible soufflé-like texture. The shop also offers a lineup of cute products for sale. Other Things to Do in Karuizawa Here are a few places to check out in the Karuizawa area: Karuizawa Shiraito Falls From Nakakaruizawa Station, the closest station to Harunire Terrace, you can take a train to Karuizawa Station. From there, there are regularly schedules buses that will take you to the Shiraito no Taki Bus Stop (白糸の滝). It's an approximately 25-minute bus ride to the base of the trail, and then a 5-10-minute hike to the waterfall itself. Hours: Open 24 hours. ※Shops at the base of the trail: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Some shops may be closed in the case of inclement weather) Admission Fee: Free Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza An outlet mall at Karuizawa Station with a number of shops, cafes, and restaurants selling everything from brand-name goods like Prada to snowboarding gear, such as Burton. The plaza features a large pond at its center making it feel like a Japanese strolling pond garden. Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Admission Fee: 720 yen (bus fee) Tombo no Yu Located just up the road from Harunire Terrace, Tombo no Yu (Tonbo no Yu) is a hot spring that opened in 1915. It's a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Be aware that there can be long lines to enter during holidays, such as Golden Week. Hours: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Admission Fee: Adults: 1,350 yen, Children (Ages 3 - Elementary school students): 800 yen Additionally, if you're looking to get some exercise and enjoy the weather on a sunny day, you can rent a bike from a bike rental shop and ride around the Karuizawa area exploring the scenery, visiting shops, etc. The bike rental shops in the area have guidebooks with biking routes of various lengths to help you navigate the area according to your schedule as well. Keep in mind that the bikes can be fully rented out during holiday seasons, so it's a good idea to make a reservation in advance. A Brief Introduction to Karuizawa Karuizawa, located in the mountains of south-eastern Nagano, inside Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park, sits at an elevation of 850 to 1,000 meters above sea level and is a popular summer resort in Japan. Karuizawa has long been popular as a vacation home for many famous and wealthy people because of its easy accessibility (approximately 1 hour from central Tokyo). Summary of Karuizawa Harunire Terrace, Umbrella Sky The Hoshino area of Karuizawa also offers accommodations and hot springs, so you can enjoy the upscale Karuizawa lifestyle in a relaxing setting surrounded by nature. Japan's rainy season has a tendency to make people feel gloomy, but Karuizawa's Harunire Terrace will welcome you with colorful umbrellas, lush greenery, and flowers. If you're feeling down this rainy season, consider visiting Harunire Terrace to cheer yourself up. You're sure to feel refreshed! [Official website] Harunire Terrace - The Hoshino Area of Karuizawa [TripAdvisor] Harunire Terrace