Demolition of the Former Ueda Civic Hall (2)
Demolition work on the former Ueda Civic Hall, located at the Ueda Castle site, has been underway since last August. (Scheduled to continue until August 19, 2026.)
Wanting to see how far along the work had progressed, I visited on the weekend when construction wasn’t happening.
Looking up at the former Civic Hall from the south parking lot. It’s covered in sheeting, so the interior can’t be seen from here. Let’s go up then.
Crossing Ninomaru Bridge and climbing the earthen embankment, I surveyed the construction site.
The building’s perimeter is covered in sheeting, and demolition appears to be progressing from the east side.
The area where the entrance and stairs once stood is now leveled ground; demolition of the hall section is currently underway.
Demolition of the administrative wing on the left side seems to be complete.
The dark area on the right was where the hall.
The hall’s roof and ceiling sections. Steel beams and ductwork are visible.
The entire west side is covered in sheeting, so the interior cannot be seen from this side.
A sign explaining the current construction work is posted in front of the fence.
The old civic hall being demolished was the site of Ueda Castle’s “musha-damari" (a place where soldiers waited before going into battle). Ueda City apparently plans to restore the “musha-damari" and two turrets that were located northeast of the main enclosure.
As I mentioned before, I hope Ueda City doesn’t start claiming things like “the turrets are also aligned along ley lines.” That story made me doubt whether there’s any real historical basis, no matter how seriously the Cultural Properties Division works.
By evening, crows had gathered and it was quite lively.
[Related article]
"Demolition Begins at former Ueda Civic Hall" (2025-09-24)