The fourth battle of Kawanakajima is considered one of the few instances in Japanese history where the two opposing commanders faced each other in direct combat.
A legendary anecdote claims that Uesugi Kenshin charged Takeda Shingen’s camp and struck at him with a sword, which Shingen parried using his iron war fan.
The site is often referred to as Hachimanbara, referencing the specific field where the fiercest fighting occurred.
The massive bronze statue of Shingen and Kenshin was erected in 1969 to celebrate the battle's legacy.
Excavations in the park have unearthed arrowheads and other small artifacts linked to the Sengoku era military activity.
Kawanakajima Old Battlefield is a historic site commemorating the series of five battles between the Takeda and Uesugi clans during the Sengoku period. The park serves as the symbolic location of the fourth battle, known as the deadliest engagement of the conflict. The site features a statue depicting the famous duel between the rival warlords, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Within the grounds, visitors can view the Hachimanbara Historic Site Museum, which provides context on the tactical strategies used in 1561. The park includes a memorial mound where it is said fallen soldiers were buried. The flat, park-like landscape remains an open space where the historic topography is preserved for public access. It remains a key location for understanding regional history within the Nagano Prefecture.
Directly in front of the bronze statue of Shingen and Kenshin at the center of the park.
Visit the onsite museum to understand the specific battlefield geography before walking the grounds.
Check the local Nagano city calendar for the annual Kawanakajima Battle festival if you wish to see reenactments.
The path network is flat and gravel-based, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Do not mistake the various historical markers for modern art; they serve as grave markers and commemorative sites.
The onsite museum is closed during the end-of-year holidays.
Respect the memorial monuments as gravesites; refrain from climbing on statues or mounds.
