★Continuation of “Welcome! Heartwarming trip in Ueda, Nagano with my friend from Thailand②“★
We stayed at “Hotel Shoen”, which is three minutes’ walk from Ueda station.

Staff members took care of us well, so we could enjoy the moment relaxing here.

There are small exhibition of Samurai and Ninja goods at the lobby.

This hotel is registered as an “eco-friendly” hotel by Nagano prefecture government. They are trying to reduce food waste. For example, they have the option of “small size” at the restaurant menu for people who don’t eat much. Moreover, they are encouraging their guests to focus not only on talking but on eating at the drinking party.

Would you like to visit Ueda? Ueda is about 75 minutes by Bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo station and is about 3.5 hours by bus from Shinjuku Station. It’s easily accessible!

There are more must-visit places in Ueda except for Ueda castle and the shopping street of “Unno machi”. You will enjoy different experiences here from season to season.
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★Spring: Cherry blossoms (Sakura) in Ueda castle. “Senbon Zakura (one-thousand cherry blossom trees) Festival” is held at the mid-April every year.
★Summer:Utsukushigahara Highlands, which is known as “the most beautiful highland in Japan”. Climbing up or hiking in surrounding mountains. Visiting the locations for the hit anime “Summer wars“,which is based in Ueda city.
★Autumn: Enjoying autumn leaves, eating matsutake mushrooms and apple picking.
★Winter: Winter sports at the Sugadaira Highlands Snow Resort. Hot springs (Onsen) such as Bessho onsen and Kakeyu Onsen.
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As I already mentioned, Ueda is not so famous among foreign tourists yet.
From the different point of view, however, it will be said that only you can know the secret beauty of Ueda. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’m Nagano native but I learned a lot of new things in Ueda city through this short trip. Especially I was really impressed by the hospitality of the locals. Nagano could be called as winter capital of Japan because of freezing weather, but the people’s hearts will make you warm for sure…<3 *If you want to know Ueda city more, please check out this page!

Deen visited not only Ueda but also Nagano city, Snow monkey park and Karuizawa prince shopping plaza. Please try to explore as many places as possible like him when you come to Nagano prefecture:)
　　　＼　Winter wonderland NAGANO!!!　／

▲If you want to see the snow, Nagano will make your dream come true!

▲Wild monkeys also enjoy our amazing Onsen! (Snow monkey park)

▲With the local train at Karuizawa station
Thank you for reading. Please come visit Nagano prefecture especially Ueda area someday. You are always welcome!