Mie > Iga Ueno-jō Castle(伊賀上野城): Birthplace of the Ninjas
※Description:
Iga Ueno-jō (伊賀上野城), located in Mie Prefecture (三重県), is a castle with a rich history dating back to the Edo period. It was originally built in 1585 under Takigawa Katsutoshi (滝川一益), a prominent feudal lord. It was later rebuilt by Tōdō Takatora (藤堂高虎), who strengthened its defensive walls, causing them to reach an unusual height for the time. Today, the walls of Iga Ueno Castle, at up to 30 meters, are the highest of any Japanese castle, an impressive work of ancient engineering. Although the original castle was destroyed by a typhoon, it was restored in 1935, maintaining its unique and elegant architectural style.
Located in the heart of Iga (伊賀), a region famous for being the birthplace of the ninja, the castle has a deep connection with the world of these secret warriors. Iga was home to one of the most important ninja clans in Japan, and today, Iga Ueno Castle keeps this history alive with activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the ninja. Very close to the castle is the Iga-ryū Ninja Museum (伊賀流忍者博物館), where you can see demonstrations of ninja skills, from acrobatics and camouflage techniques to the use of traditional weapons.
Visiting the castle and its surroundings is an immersive and fun experience. At the castle, you can enjoy live shows featuring authentic ninjas, who showcase a variety of combat techniques and stealth skills that characterize these legendary warriors. Additionally, visitors can try their hand at throwing shuriken (手裏剣), the traditional ninja stars, under the supervision of experts. If you want to take the experience even further, there are options to dress up in authentic ninja outfits, making the visit much more than just a historical excursion.
The surroundings of Iga Ueno Castle also have much to offer. Surrounded by a lush park, the castle is in a lovely natural setting, especially in spring, when cherry blossoms frame the castle, or in autumn, when maple trees color the area in reddish and golden hues. It is an ideal place to stroll, take photos and enjoy an atmosphere that harkens back to ancient times. Additionally, the park has rest areas and walking paths, making it a perfect place to spend a leisurely day.
Visiting Iga Ueno Castle is an ideal adventure for those who wish to explore the history of feudal Japan while immersing themselves in the ninja culture that is part of the identity of this region.
Discover the World of Ninja at the Iga-ryū Museum (伊賀流忍者博物館)
Iga-ryū Ninja Hakubutsukan (伊賀流忍者博物館) is a unique museum in Japan, completely dedicated to the study and preservation of ninja culture. Located near Iga Ueno-jō Castle, this museum allows visitors to learn in depth about the skills, tools and lives of the famous ninjas from the Iga region (伊賀), one of the cradles of this legendary tradition. The museum features a traditional ninja house, equipped with hidden traps, secret rooms, and escape mechanisms that reveal the defense and espionage techniques used by ninjas. This house is a faithful display of the original strategies employed in the past and provides an immersive experience for those seeking to learn the most intriguing aspects of ninjas.
In addition, the museum organizes live ninja shows, in which experts perform combat demonstrations, shuriken throwing, and weapon use and camouflage techniques. These displays allow you to see up close the skill and discipline that characterize ninja warriors, and represent a unique opportunity to see these skills in action in an authentic environment.
The museum is adjacent to the castle, so you can enjoy both places in a single day.
For more details on activities and schedules, you can check out their official website here.
※NTRanking: 8.0 / 10
Despite being a famous castle, Iga Ueno Castle maintains a quiet atmosphere, especially on weekdays. During peak season and weekends there may be more Japanese visitors, but it is rare to find foreign tourists in large numbers.
The location in Mie Prefecture and the historical atmosphere around the world of ninjas gives it a special touch. It is an ideal place to immerse yourself in history without the typical crowds of other, more touristy Japanese castles.
※How to Get There:
・From Osaka (1 hour and 40 minutes):
Board the Kintetsu Osaka Line from Osaka-Uehommachi Station (大阪上本町駅).
Transfer at Iga-Kambe (伊賀神戸駅) and use the Kintetsu Iga line.
Get off at Uenoshi station (上野市駅), which is about a 10-minute walk from the castle.
・From Nagoya (1 hour and 30 minutes):
Use the line Kintetsu Nagoya from Nagoya Station (名古屋駅).
Change at Iga-Kambe Station (伊賀神戸駅) to the Kintetsu Iga Line.
Get off at Uenoshi Station (上野市駅), from where you can walk to the castle in about 10 minutes.
・From Nara (1 hour and 30 minutes):
Take the Kintetsu Nara Line from < strong>Nara (奈良駅) to Yamato-Saidaiji Station (大和西大寺駅).
Transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji to the Kintetsu Osaka Line to Iga-Kambe Station (伊賀神戸駅).
From Iga-Kambe, take the Kintetsu Iga Line to Uenoshi Station (上野市駅), which is about a 10-minute walk from the castle.
※Address:
106 Uenomarunouchi, Iga, Mie 518-0873
