Ueda Castle Ruins Park, Nagano

#cherryblossom25 Ueda Castle Ruins Park had a kind of bold, spirited energy I wasn't expecting. The castle’s massive stone walls still stand, and in spring they get crowned with thick clouds of cherry blossoms. I loved how the ruggedness of the ruins clashed beautifully with the softness of the sakura. There were a ton of local families and couples doing hanami, and the atmosphere was super friendly. Samurai cosplay events happen here sometimes during the sakura season, and I actually caught a small performance — talk about photogenic! My #cherryblossom25 post captured the moment a performer with a katana walked under a rain of blossoms — such a vibe. If you want to blend history, culture, and a lively, cheerful cherry blossom experience, Ueda Castle delivers.