Sanada Palace

If you're in the area visiting Sanada related sites, The Sanada Palace is a must. There are few remains but it was the location of the Sanada residence and has a nice little museum. It is also closely connected to the nearby castles, especially Sanadahonjo Castle. During the Sengoku Period we often

History

This palace or fortified home was likely built around the same time as the Sanadahonjo Castle. The palace was where the Sanada lived and developed out the Sanada town from this location. The castles on the surrounding mountains, especially the Sanadahonjo Castle, are the forts that would have been used to escape to in times of unrest. It was likely abandoned in 1585 when the Sanada moved to Ueda Castle. The size, location, and design of Sandashikan has many similarities to the Tsutsujigasaki Yakata of the Takeda in Kofu. The route between the Oteguchi and Karamete gates and even their design is similar to Tsutsujigasaki. The position of the palace is on high ground that sets the pattern from which the castle town below spreads out. Sanada Masayuki was raised as a hostage at Tsutsujigaki so he would have known it well, but the fact that Takeda allowed him to build a palace so similar is also a sign of Takeda's trust and faith in the Sanada. Recent excavations around the Tsutsujigasaki Palace in Kofu have found other structures outside the main compound. Perhaps if more excavations are conducted around this site we'll find more to it as well.

Field Notes

If you're in the area visiting Sanada related sites, The Sanada Palace is a must. There are few remains but it was the location of the Sanada residence and has a nice little museum. It is also closely connected to the nearby castles, especially Sanadahonjo Castle. During the Sengoku Period we often see a fortified lowland residence and a nearby mountaintop castle which is used as a lookout and fortification during times of unrest.

If you don't have a car the best way to get around the Sanada historic sites in the Sanada Township area is by electric bicycle. Electric bicycles can be borrowed for free at the Yukimura Yume Kobo. This tourist information center also has all the maps and other information you'll need. I highly recommend stopping here before exploring the area. During the peak tourism season there is also a local tourist bus that circles through all the major historic sites you're likely to see. If there is something not on this route, then try a bicycle too.

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Gallery

East Gate.
East side embankment
East side earthworks
Earthen embankments around the East Gate
Kotai Shrine.
Kotai Shrine
Otemon Gate Stone Walls
Otemon gate
Otemon Gate Stone Walls
West bailey earthen embankment
West Bailey
earthworks for a stable or armory
Umaya
Karametemon gate
Karametemon Gate earthworks
karametemon Gate
Mao
Sanada History Museum
Sanada History Museum
A wall of the history museum.

Castle Profile
English Name	Sanada Palace
Japanese Name	真田氏館
Alternate Names	Oyashiki Kouen
Founder	Sanada
Year Founded	1532-1555
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Ueda Sta. (Shinano Railway, Nagano Bullet train), 25 minute bus to Yukimuranosato bus stop (Sugadaira bus from #3 bus stop at Ueda Sta), 30 min walk from bus stop
Hours	Museum is open 9-4 except July-Sept open 9-5. Closed Tuesdays, except during May and August, when Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day. 200 yen admission. The ruins are open any time and do not require museum admission.
Time Required	30 mins (60 mins with museum)
URL	Castle Website
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.4312, 138.31688
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2016
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	December 14, 2015

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