Hokkoku Kaido Yanagimachi, a castle town weaving the history of Ueda, Shinshu

  • Nagano
  • Sightseeing
Hokkoku Kaido Yanagimachi, full of historical atmosphere

Yanagimachi on the Hokkoku Kaido Street, where the old townscape still remains

In Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, walk down Chuo-dori Street, which stretches straight from Ueda Station, and turn down one alley to reach the "Kyu Hokoku Kaido Yanagimachi". Yanagimachi has a long history and was originally founded as a castle town of Ueda Castle in the Warring States Period. Later, the Hokkoku Kaido played the second most important role after the Five Routes as a road transporting gold from the Sado gold mine to Edo (now Tokyo). In the mid-Edo period, more and more people from all over the country came to the town to make pilgrimages to Zenkoji Temple or to Togakushi Shrine, and the town flourished as Ueda-juku on the Hokkoku Kaido as the road to the Sado gold mine and to the Sado Kinzan. On the street where the long tradition of the old Hokkoku Kaido road continues, there are many tasteful row houses built over 100 years ago, making it a valuable sightseeing spot where the old townscape can still be seen.
Beautiful streets with white walls and "udatsu

Can't get enough of the udatsu?

The most distinctive feature of Yanagimachi is its elegant streetscape. If you look closely, you will notice that the row houses have "udatsu," walls that prevent fires from breaking out. You may have heard the phrase, "udatsu ga kagaranai. Udatsu" is a firewall to prevent fire from spreading to neighboring houses in the event of a fire, and was a feature of wealthy houses because it was expensive to build udatsu higher than the roof. From there, it is said that "udatsu ga naku" came to mean that one's career was not going well or that one was not doing well financially. Because it is an old town, you can experience the wisdom of our ancestors.

Specialty stores that carry the history of Yanagimachi into the present

Founded in 1665, Okazaki Shuzo (Okazaki Sake Brewery) is a representative store of Yanagimachi. Shinshu Kirei" (Shinshu Kirei), handmade by a husband and wife trio, won the top prize at the 2015 Kanto Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Competition and is a representative product of Yanagimachi. Due to its soaring popularity, it is currently limited to one bottle per person, so those wishing to purchase a bottle should do so as soon as possible!
Inside the long-established Okazaki Sake Brewery

Levain, a very popular bakery

The bakery "Levain" is located next to the Okazaki Brewery. Inside the renovated old house, you will find a lineup of delicious-looking breads with beautiful browning, along with stylish interior design. Unlike bread made with ordinary yeast, Levain's bread is made with natural yeast, allowing customers to enjoy the gentle aroma and texture that only natural yeast can provide. The bakery is loved by men and women of all ages, with customers coming from far and wide for Levain bread, not to mention the locals.
Levain" bakery in a renovated private house

Local delicacies unique to Yanagimachi

In the center of the street is Yanagimachiya, a café featuring a brick with a six-pointed coin, the family crest of the Sanada family, the lords of Ueda Castle. The Ueda Brand Research Institute, which originated in Ueda, is involved in the business and offers a wide variety of delicious Ueda sweets, such as apple dorayaki and 100% apple juice, all of which are made from local products. The cafe also has desks and chairs inside and is open to the public as a resting place, making it a perfect place to take a break.
Local sweets at Yanagimachiya
Other cafes include "Teuchi Hyakgei Ohnishi," a soba noodle shop located near Homei Water, a symbol of Yanagimachi, and "Moribun," a coffee shop in the renovated "Moritaya," a kimono shop built in the Meiji period. The atmosphere of the old castle town is now a reality.

Why not take a stroll through Yanagimachi, where the atmosphere of the former castle town has been preserved and the attractive gourmet foods of Ueda, Shinshu, can be found?
For the official website of Hokkoku Kaido Yanagimachi, visit

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