Tatsuoka Castle Ruins (龍岡城跡)

Flow of the course

About this spot

Built at the end of the Edo period, this is one of only two star-shaped, Western-style fortresses in Japan. It is known as a valuable structure alongside Hakodate's Goryokaku (五稜郭), and its distinctive pentagonal shape, ringed by a moat, can be seen clearly from a nearby observation deck. Inside the grounds is a museum called 'Goryokaku Deai-no-Yakata (五稜郭であいの館)', where the family can visit while learning about Saku's history. The castle's shape, rarely seen anywhere else, is sure to catch the children's interest.

Tips

About a 15-minute drive from Pinkoro Jizoson (ぴんころ地蔵尊). To see the full star shape, you need to walk a little to a nearby observation deck. It is about a 20-minute drive to the next stop, the Sakudaira Station (佐久平駅) area.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 30 minutes. The afternoon light makes the moat's water surface look especially beautiful.

Access & map

〒384-0412 3000-1 Taguchi Shimomachi, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture