Sanadahonjo Castle

History

It's often said the castle was built around 1532-1555 by Sanada Yukitaka but evidence shows that the castle has been around since the Kamakura Period, before the Sanada clan came to power. The castle was taken by Murakami Yoshikiyo in 1541 but it was taken back by Sanada Yoshitaka in 1551. The combination of Sanadashikan and Sanadahonjo Castle makes this a fortified palace and mountaintop castle combination the likes of which we often see in the Sengoku Period. Sanadahonjo Castle was the center of the Sanada clan until they moved to Ueda Castle in 1583. Near the foot of the mountain is the Sanada clan's palace, Sandashikan.

Visit Notes

This is a fairly small castle site, but I think the structure is really interesting. It is situated on a long narrow ridge that sticks out into the plain with steep drop-offs on three sides. The site has great views of the entire Sanada Township, the nearby castles and the Joshu highway that runs in front of the castle. It would have been a perfect location to watch over and direct any battle to take place in the valley.

There is a parking lot right at the entrance so you can drive to the top without hiking if you have a car. You can also rent an electric bicycle at the Yukimura Yume Kobo that will allow you to easily bike up the road as well as visit nearby Sanada related historic sites.

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.
ここは割と小さい城跡ですが構造的には面白いと思います。細長い山に複数の曲輪が連郭式に並んでいます。三方が崖のため大手道からしか攻めることができません。麓の上州街道もよく観察することができて真田町及び真田の平野も一望できます。この平野を囲む山の多くは実は山城を持っています。真田本城からほとんどが見えるため町の防御を指揮するのに最適の場所です。

真田町は車がない観光客には優しい町です。ゆきむら夢工房という観光案内所で電動アシスト自転車を借りることができます。地図や周辺の資料も充実ししているので、真田町の観光の際はまずここに立ち寄ってください。私はここから自転車を借りて松尾城、真田本城、天白城、真田氏館を一日で回ってきました。観光シーズンは観光バスも走っています。

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Gallery

Main entrance
Baileys and horikiri
Baileys and horikiri
This mountain is Tenpaku Castle
Baileys back toward the entrance and parking lot
main bailey embankment
Entrance to the main bailey
Entrance to the main bailey
Earthen embankment of the main bailey
Main bailey
Embankment of the main bailey
Main bailey
Second bailey
Earthen embankment of the second bailey
View from the second bailey
Second bailey
Second bailey
Stone wall remains
Second bailey
Trench between the second and third baileys
Third bailey
Map
Map of Sanadahonjo and nearby castles

Castle Profile
English Name	Sanadahonjo Castle
Japanese Name	真田本城
Alternate Names	Matsuo-jo, Sanadashihonjo, Sanadayamajiro, Matsuoshinjo
Founder	Sanada Yukitaka
Year Founded	1532-1555
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
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), 45 min walk from bus stop
Visitor Information	Park is open any time.
Time Required	60 mins
Website	http://uedajyou.com/35.html
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 26' 28.97" N, 138° 19' 22.58" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2016
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	December 14, 2015

1.50

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FurinkazanDaimyo

15 months ago

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11/05/2023. From Ueda station I took a bus from bus stop 3, bound for Sagudaira. I descended in front of the Yukimura yumekobo. The ride was 25min long for 300¥. The Yukimura yumekobo is an information centre and shop related to the Sanada family. You may rent a bicycle for free and they give you a map with the distances between each road or site. From there I went first to the history musem of the Sanada. There is a nice collection, but you're not allowed to take pictures. At the entrance, I told the lady that a friend of me is a big fan of Yukimura. After telling that, she gave me more pamphlets. I received them in double, one for me and one for my friend. I told her that, like in Komoro yesterday, the suneate of one armor on display, were mixed(left on right). She told me that they were in this position since 6 years and that nobody said anything about it. She was very grateful for the information. Next to the museum lays the ruins of the Sanada yakata(fortified manor). It is now a lovely park and is known for the azaleas, which were in bloom. Of the yakata there are only some dorui(earthen ramparts) still well identifiable.

Then I rode to Sanadahonjō, which was the castle related to the aforementioned yakata. The Sanada used this castle until they built Ueda castle.

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