Takada Castle Site Park
高田城址公園Explore one of Japan's largest city parks, with a museum and library to boot!
Takada Castle Site Park stands on the grounds of Takada Castle, which was built as the residence for Tokugawa Ieyasu's sixth son, Matsudaira Tadateru, and is now a designated historical site. The present park was created in 1907 by breaking up many of the earthen mounds and filling in much of the moat.
Covering roughly 50 hectares, Takada Castle Site Park is among the largest urban parks in Japan. It includes cultural facilities like the restored three-story castle turret, a history museum, art museum, and library, along with sports facilities such as an athletics field, baseball field, and grass field, plus a promenade around the outer moat. Other notable features include the residence of renowned Japanese painter Kobayashi Kokei, and the restored Gokuraku Bridge, which connects the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas.
Takada Castle Site Park is also renowned for its seasonal transformations. In spring, it is covered with around 4,000 blooming cherry blossom trees. Combined with the illuminated turret and paper lanterns, the scene is considered one of the three best nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The Takada Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Party is held when the cherry blossoms are at their best.
In summer, visitors can witness the entire moat covered in lotus blossoms, heralded as the "best in Asia." The Takada Castle Site Park Lotus Blossom Viewing Party is held in mid-July to late August to celebrate.
General Information
| Address | 新潟県上越市本城町44-1 |
|---|---|
| Directions | ●By Train: 10 min. by taxi or rental car from Joetsu Myoko Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. 15 min. on foot from Takada Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway and Myoko Haneuma Line. ●By Bus: 1 min. on foot from the “Takada Joshi Koen” bus stop on the Kubiki Bus. ●By Car: 15 min. from the Joetsu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. 10 min. from the Joetsu Takada IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway. |
| Car Park | Parking lots 1-8: approx. 850 cars |
| Opening Times | Open all year |
| Prices | Free |
| Notes | Opening hours and fees may apply when using park facilities. |
Contact
| Name | Park Management Section, Urban Development Division |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 025-526-5111 |
| Fax Number | 025-526-6112 |
| Website |
