Arato-jo is a mountaintop fortress overlooking the Chikuma River Valley and present-day Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada. The rice fields down in the valley are in their golden glory, just a couple of weeks away from harvest. Just one of the beautiful scenes awaiting you if you visit Nagano in the fall.

Info on Arato-jo Fortress: http://www.onsentown.net/interests/arato-jo-castle The castle is a 30-minute walk uphill from the onsen town. The trailhead is reachable by bus from Togura Station on the Shinano Railway line.