Where is the festival held?

The venue is Ueda Castle Ruins Park at 6263-I, Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano, Japan.

How far is the park from Ueda Station?

The park is approximately a 12-minute walk from JR Ueda Station.

No. The listed north and south castle parking areas charge during the special period. The north car park has 222 spaces and the south car park has 85 spaces.

What performances are planned?

The programme includes Sengoku GIG KACHIDOKI, featuring samurai and princess performance groups, and the Autumn Battle taiko festival.

Will there be local food?

Amagafuchi Yokocho brings together local food and regional products. The official materials also include a warlord collaboration menu guide.

Is the Ueda Castle talk show free?

Yes. The supplied talk-show poster advertises free admission. That notice applies to the talk show, not necessarily to the festival as a whole.

Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival: Dates and Access

Name: 20th Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival
Start: 2026-11-07T10:00:00+09:00
End: 2026-11-08T16:00:00+09:00
Location: Ueda Castle Ruins Park

Add to my calendarSave to Google, Apple or Outlook Calendar

Google Calendar Apple / Outlook (download .ics)

See Nov 7 on the calendarFind what else is on that day

Key takeawaysThe Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival runs on November 7–8, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00, with samurai performances, taiko drumming and local food. Ueda Castle Ruins Park is a 12-minute walk from JR Ueda Station. The dates fall within the usual autumn foliage season, though peak colour is not guaranteed for the weekend.

The 20th Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival (第20回上田城紅葉まつり) takes place on November 7–8, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00 each day. Head to Ueda Castle Ruins Park in Nagano for samurai-themed performances, taiko drumming and local food alongside the autumn scenery.

The park is about a 12-minute walk from JR Ueda Station. That makes arriving by train a practical option, while visitors driving should note that the listed castle parking areas charge during the special period.

Check the official festival programme

Dates, location and admission

Festival	20th Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival
Dates	Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours	10:00–16:00 each day
Venue	Ueda Castle Ruins Park (上田城跡公園)
Address	6263-I, Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano, Japan 長野県上田市二の丸6263-イ
Festival admission	Check the official festival page for admission details.

The free-admission notice applies to the talk show. The supplied talk-show poster states that admission is free; this does not establish the admission policy for the festival as a whole.

Performances and food

The festival combines costumed performances with taiko drumming and a food-and-products area. If a particular performance is your main reason for visiting, check its slot in the official programme before choosing your day.

Six performers in armour and traditional Japanese clothing on the Sengoku GIG KACHIDOKI poster — Image: Official website (ueda-kanko.or.jp).

Programme	What to look for
Sengoku GIG KACHIDOKI (戦国GIG 凱 -KACHIDOKI-)	Samurai and princess performance groups gathering from around Japan.
Autumn Battle taiko festival (太鼓まつり秋の陣)	Taiko drumming performances.
Amagafuchi Yokocho (尼ヶ淵横丁)	Local food and regional products.

Warlord-themed menus

The official materials also include a restaurant map and food photos for the warlord-themed menus. Use the guide below when deciding where to eat, and refer to the official page for the menu details.

Restaurant map and food photographs in the warlord collaboration menu guide — Image: Official website (ueda-kanko.or.jp).

Talk show and other programme images

Ueda Castle talk show

The Ueda Castle Talk Show (上田城トークショー) is advertised with free admission. The poster below features the castle and speakers; consult the official programme for the session details when planning around other performances.

Drinks pictured in the official materials

Pink sparkling drinks being poured into two stemmed glasses — Image: Official website (ueda-kanko.or.jp). Drinks pictured in the festival materials.

Ueda Badge Rally

The Ueda Badge Rally (上田バッジラリー) promotional image advertises a chance to win prizes. Check the official instructions before taking part.

Festival sponsors

Names and logos of sponsors supporting the Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival — Image: Official website (ueda-kanko.or.jp).

Getting there and autumn foliage

By train

Ueda Castle Ruins Park is approximately 12 minutes on foot from JR Ueda Station. Use the official park information page to confirm the venue location. For a separate look at rail-related travel benefits, see our JRE BANK guide; check the applicable conditions before making travel plans.

By car

The park is approximately 15 minutes by car from Ueda-Sugadaira Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway. The listed parking areas are the north car park with 222 spaces and the south car park with 85 spaces. Parking is paid during the special period.

When to see the leaves

Autumn foliage at Ueda Castle is usually seen from late October through late November. The festival dates fall within that usual season, but this is not a forecast of peak colour for the weekend.

If you are turning the outing into a longer break, our guide to Yuchelin three-star hot springs across Japan offers ideas for an onsen trip. For accommodation-focused reading, browse our Michelin Key onsen stays guide. These are broader Japan travel guides, rather than a list of places near the festival.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival?: It takes place on November 7–8, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.
Where is the festival held?: The venue is Ueda Castle Ruins Park at 6263-I, Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano, Japan.
How far is the park from Ueda Station?: The park is approximately a 12-minute walk from JR Ueda Station.
How do I get there by car?: The park is approximately 15 minutes by car from Ueda-Sugadaira Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.
Is parking free?: No. The listed north and south castle parking areas charge during the special period. The north car park has 222 spaces and the south car park has 85 spaces.
What performances are planned?: The programme includes Sengoku GIG KACHIDOKI, featuring samurai and princess performance groups, and the Autumn Battle taiko festival.
Will there be local food?: Amagafuchi Yokocho brings together local food and regional products. The official materials also include a warlord collaboration menu guide.
Is the Ueda Castle talk show free?: Yes. The supplied talk-show poster advertises free admission. That notice applies to the talk show, not necessarily to the festival as a whole.
When is the usual autumn foliage season?: Autumn foliage at Ueda Castle is usually seen from late October through late November.

Before setting off, check the official Ueda Castle Autumn Leaves Festival page for the programme and admission details.

Plan your next day out

See what else is on that day, that month and in the same area on our event calendar.

See November 7 on the calendar November 2026 events Other Areas event calendar