Ueda, Nagano (former city)

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Ueda (上田市; -shi) is a city located in Nagano, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 125,458 and the density of 709.89 persons per km². The total area is 176.73 km².

The city was founded on May 1, 1919. After 87 years, the former Ueda merged with three municipalities from Chiisagata District to form the new city of Ueda.

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Nagano Prefecture

Cities

Districts

See also: Towns and villages by district

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Ueda is surrounded by 1,000-2,000 meter high mountains. Ueda enjoys four distinct seasons. In the spring, many people gather at Ueda City Park to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Ueda City Park is the site of the old feudal castle. Stone foundations and other remains of the castle and its fortifications can be seen throughout the park. There are many cherry trees in the park that usually blossom in mid-April. People come to the park during the day and at night to have an ohanami party. They bring food and drink and enjoy the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossoms that are a national symbol in Japan. Ueda is located in the central Chikuma River valley. During summer, fisherman can be seen lining the banks fishing for ayu. Summertime is also a time of festivals. One of the most famous is Ueda Washoi. The central streets leading from the train station are closed to car traffic and filled with dancing pedestrians. Brass bands play theme music and everyone in the streets performs a traditional dance. Gion matsuri is a festival modeled after the Gion district in Kyoto. Again, the main streets are for pedestrian traffic only and groups of men and women from local shrines and temples carry mikoshi in the streets. Mikoshi are portable shrines that are usually very heavy and must be carried on the shoulders of 10-20 people on long wooden poles. Groups carry the mikoshi to the city center and stop at homes and businesses along the route that wish to make a donation. There are also fireworks festivals that mark the beginning of Obon. Obon is a time when families usually come together to remember the spirits of departed ancestors. Autumn in Ueda is a time of harvest. Not only do people harvest agricultural crops such as rice, fruit, and vegetables, but people also head into the surrounding mountains to pick mushrooms, chestnuts, mountain vegetables, and wild grapes. Fall is also a good time to venture into the mountains and see the colors of the changing leaves or kouyo. Winter in Ueda means sun and snow. Ueda is usually sunny even when other parts of Nagano Prefecture are cloudy. There are several ski areas in Sugadaira. The snow is good, but it is the coldest place in Ueda. People also come to Ueda to visit the many temples and shrines located in Bessho. Bessho is a small onsen or hot spring village. During the New Year Holidays, people come to Bessho to see the Anraku Temple famous for its hakkaku sanju no tou or eight-sided three-storied pagoda. Jouraku Temple is famous for its Sekizou Tahou Tou or stone tower. Both of these temples are outstanding examples of Japanese architecture of the Kamakura Period.