1. About Yonezawa

  2. Tourism Spots

  3. History

  4. Yonezawa Cuisine

  5. Festivals

  6. Onsen

  7. 米織物

    Souvenirs & Crafts

  8. Activities

  9. Nature & Flowers

  10. Ski Resorts

  11. Hiking

  12. Upon arrival in Yonezawa

  1. Tourism Spots

  2. Famous and Historic Spots

  3. Museums

  4. Local Crafts and Specialties

  5. Activities

  6. Yonezawa Beef

  7. Hot Spring Inns

  8. Hotels and Accommodation

  9. Tourism Information Center

  10. Historical Figures

  1. Tourism Pamphlet Download

  2. Experience Yonezawa through video

  3. Yonezawa Photo Gallery

  1. Yonezawa Beef 150th Anniversary Pre-Celebrati…

  2. Announcement of Winter Closure (Nighttime Roa…

  3. Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum Special Exhibitio…

  4. Exciting news as a new rakugo performance is …

  5. “Journey to Yamagata – Yonezawa &…

  6. “Tengendai Kogen ‘Mogami River So…

  7. “Experience the Traditional Culture of …

  8. The 3rd Yonezawa Meat Battle: The 3rd Generat…

  9. Notice of Correction for the 11th Naseba Naru…

  10. Hit the Road with the “Yamagata Autumn …

  11. “Yamagata Craft 2024″September 13…

  12. Tengen-dai Plateau “Ropeway Sunset Crui…

The First Feudal Lord of Yonezawa

Kagekatsu was born the second son of Nagao Masakage in Echigo no Kuni (modern day Niigata) in 1555. He was the nephew of Uesugi Kenshin.

After Masakage’s death, Kagekatsu was adopted by Kenshin in order to become his successor. He became the head of the Uesugi clan in 1579. Given his title by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he became the feudal Lord of wealthy domain of Aizu.

However, after facing defeat at the battle of Sekigahara, he was assigned to the considerably less wealthy Yonezawa as punishment. It is said that he refused to replace even one of his men, so he took all who wished to come with him to Yonezawa instead.

Kagekatsu then began to live at Yonezawa Castle. Along with his subordinate Naoe Kanetsugu, they quickly began new construction and moved to address the financial destitution of the domain. He also became a supporter of the newly established Tokugawa shogunate.

In 1623, Kagekatsu who was much-accomplished as both a warrior and a ruler passed away in Yonezawa Castle at age 69. It is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu himself had even acknowledged Kagekatsu’s excellence as an intellectual and as a warrior.