Question 1

How long does it take from Komoro Station?

Accepted Answer

About 3 minutes' walk from the ticket gate of Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway to the Sannomon gate of Kaikoen. From Karuizawa Station it is about 20 minutes on the Shinano Railway.

Question 2

Is the park closed in winter?

Accepted Answer

It closes every Wednesday from December to mid-March and over the New Year period (29 December to 3 January). It can be visited on open days in winter, though it closes 30 minutes earlier than usual.

Question 3

When is the cherry blossom at its best?

Accepted Answer

Usually from early to mid-April, when a cherry blossom festival is held. Chosen as one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom spots, it offers a fine contrast between the stone walls and the blossom.

Question 4

How long should I allow?

Accepted Answer

About an hour for a walk in the park alone, or 2-3 hours including the memorial halls, the art museum and the zoo. As there is also plenty of seasonal scenery, half a day is recommended if you want to take your time.

Question 5

How does admission to Kaikoen work?

Accepted Answer

The strolling ticket (adults 300 yen, junior high school age and under 100 yen) covers walking in the park only. The combined ticket (adults 500 yen, junior high school age and under 200 yen) also admits you to the zoo, the Chokokan, the Toson Memorial Hall, the Koyama Keizo Art Museum and the Komoro Gijuku Memorial Hall. Pre-school children enter free with an adult.

Question 6

What is the Toson Memorial Hall?

Accepted Answer

It is a memorial hall dedicated to the writer Toson Shimazaki, displaying works and material from his time in Komoro. He produced many works while teaching at the Komoro Gijuku school, and Komoro itself appears in them. It is included in the combined ticket.

Question 7

I hear there is an amusement park. What is it like?

Accepted Answer

The amusement park within Kaikoen has traditional rides that young children enjoy, with tickets sold in books. It combines well with a walk round the castle site for a family visit.

Question 8

Is there a zoo?

Accepted Answer

There is a zoo within Kaikoen, included in the combined ticket. Opening days may be limited during refurbishment work, so please check the official website for the latest information.

Question 9

What does anajiro, a hole castle, mean?

Accepted Answer

Castles are usually built higher than the town below, but Komoro Castle stands lower than its castle town, which is rare in Japan and earned it the name anajiro. Its distinctive layout makes use of the tagiri terrain carved by the Chikuma River as a natural fortress, and that terrain is itself part of the appeal.

Question 10

Can I see the Chikuma River?

Accepted Answer

Kaikoen stands on high ground along the Chikuma River, and you can see the river and the surrounding scenery from the viewpoints and the keep base within the park. It is also known as the setting of Toson Shimazaki's Chikumagawa no Sketch.

Question 11

What is the address?

Accepted Answer

311 Tei, Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture

Question 12

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Question 13

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

Every Wednesday from December to mid-March, and over the New Year period (29 December to 3 January).

Question 14

What are the opening hours?

Accepted Answer

9:00-17:00 (until 16:30 in winter; last admission 16:00).

Question 15

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

About 3 minutes' walk from Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway. By car it is about 5 minutes from Komoro IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.

Question 16

How much is admission?

Accepted Answer

Strolling ticket (park only): adults 300 yen, junior high school age and under 100 yen. Combined ticket (including the zoo and the memorial halls): adults 500 yen, junior high school age and under 200 yen. Pre-school children free with an adult.

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