Tenpaku Castle

History

Very little of the history of Tenpaku Castle is known. It is situated just 600 meters away from Sanadahonjo Castle and 500 meters from Sanadashikan. It was obviously one of the many castles in the network that rings the Sanada township. There's one huge 11 meter high trench cut from the mountain rock behind the main bailey along the ridge of the mountain. In front of the main bailey are are couple small baileys going down the mountainside but it is somewhat difficult to identify them on your way up because they're mostly heavily forested are buried in grasses.

Visit Notes

Look for the Kita Akai shrine which is at the entrance to the hiking trail. From the road there is a sign pointing up the hill. It looks like you're just going into someone's driveway but just keep going up until you see the temple and you'll know you're in the right place.

This is a neat little castle and well worth the trip if you have some time while visiting Sanada historic sites. It has a few stone wall remains, but the main point of interest is the huge trench across the ridge of the mountain. It's not such difficult climb, but in the autumn it was very slippery with fallen leaves.

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.
せっかく真田本城や真田氏館に訪れているならついでに天白城も登城する価値があります。石積みは少しありますが、何りょり巨大な堀切が見事です。山はそんなにきつくありませんが、秋は落ち葉が多くてとても滑りやすかったです。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 bailey
Trail up the mountain
Small shrine along the trail
Trail up the mountain.
Stone wall before the main bailey
Main bailey embankment
Large trench as seen from the main bailey
Large trench behind the main bailey
Large trench down the mountainside.
Large trench across the mountain ridge
Large trench down the mountainside.
Stone walls around the entrance to the main bailey
Stone wall remains of the main bailey
Stone wall remains of the main bailey
Kita Akai Shrine.
Entrance from the road.
Map of the nearby castles

Castle Profile
English Name	Tenpaku Castle
Japanese Name	天白城
Founder	Sanada clan
Year Founded	1500's
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	mountain, open any time. Look for the Kita Akai Shrine as the entrance to the hiking trail.
Time Required	60 mins
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 26' 9.35" N, 138° 19' 28.96" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2016
Admin Year Visited	2015
Admin Visits	December 14, 2015

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