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A beautiful and peaceful temple precinct tucked up against the hill. The temple stores important cultural objects from the Kamakura Period, and is the oldest Zen temple in Nagano Prefecture. The pagoda is the only remaining octagonal pagoda in Japan, and is designated a national treasure. Opening times and price refer to the octagonal pagoda section of the temple precinct only.
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無言館
This art museum presents works by art students who ended up dying during WW2. Surrounded by nature, it also has a café and a library, in Japanese.
上田城跡公園
Only 3 towers and gates remain of the original castle. As the base of the Sanada clan, it is famous for being a key to the Sanadas defeating the mighty Tokugawa clan's forces on two occasions in the 16th century. On the third attempt, the castle was destroyed, but it was rebuilt by the Sengoku clan in 1626, supposedly to the original plan. The maple leaves in the park in late autumn are spectacular.
山本鼎記念館
Celebrates Yamamoto Kanae (1882-1946) who worked in oils and woodblock prints. He pioneered a radical New Art Education for Children method that involved encouraging children to draw objects freely, rather than copying classic works from books. He also started a movement that involved teaching local people woodcraft.
上田市立博物館
A small but diverse collection, including several well preserved sets of samurai armor used by the local Sanada clan members.
太郎山
Hill-lovers will enjoy this mountain at 1164 m in elevation. A 2-3 hour walk.