Only stone fortifications and two entrance gates remain at the site of the old Komoro Castle near Ueda in Nagano Prefecture. But the arrival of fall heralds the changing of the cherry trees and maples that carpet the old castle grounds, making this a beautiful place to go for autumn foliage. Along with the old base of the tenshu (castle donjon), a shrine is housed on the grounds. A low-key autumn festival is held at the site from late October to mid-November.
The castle site is just a few minutes' walk west from Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway line that runs from Ueda.
Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok
Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.