Iga Ueno Castle (Iga City, Mie Prefecture)

Iga Ueno Castle (Iga City, Mie Prefecture) — Overview (History, Features, and Attractions)

Iga Ueno Castle is a castle located in Ueno Marunouchi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, and is commonly known as "Ueno Castle." Built in the early Edo period, the castle is characterized by the height and sturdiness of its stone walls. The castle ruins are located in a corner of Ueno Park, and the castle tower is currently open to the public as a reconstructed castle tower that also houses an exhibition of historical documents. Located in the heart of the Iga region, known as the home of the Iga-ryu ninja, and close to ninja culture and areas associated with Matsuo Basho, it is a highly attractive tourist spot in terms of both history and culture.

Highlights

• Takaishigaki (Ishigaki group): The biggest attraction of Iga Ueno Castle. The beautifully stacked stone walls are impressive and popular for photography.
• Castle tower (reconstructed castle tower)The castle is an exhibition space where you can see the history of the castle, life at the time, armor, ancient documents, etc. From the top floor of the castle tower, you can get a panoramic view of the Iga Basin and the surrounding mountains.
• Ueno Park and GardensThe park, which includes the castle ruins, is perfect for a stroll, and the scenery is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
• Places associated with Matsuo Basho: There are memorial halls and haiku monuments related to Basho scattered throughout the park and surrounding area, allowing you to experience haiku culture.
• Collaborative tourism with Iga-ryu ninja: By visiting the nearby Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, you can also enjoy ninja history, exhibits, and demonstrations.

Access (nearest station, transportation, etc.)

• Nearest station:Iga-Ueno Station (Iga Railway, Iga Line). From the station, it's about a 10-15 minute walk to Ueno Park and the castle ruins.
• Public transportation:Accessible by train from Nagoya and Osaka. There are routes to Iga-Ueno via JR or Kintetsu. Local buses also operate (number of buses varies depending on the season and time of day).
• car:Access is via the Meihan National Highway (via National Highway 25/National Highway 163), the Ise Expressway, and the Meihan National Highway. There are paid parking lots and public parking lots within the city, and there is also a parking lot near the castle (although it may be full during peak hours).
• From the airport:Accessible from Itami Airport or Chubu Centrair International Airport by train or express bus. Travel time varies depending on the connection.

Estimated stay (estimated time required)

• Castle tour only: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Including a stroll around the park and nearby historical sites (Basho-related sites, museums): 1.5 to 3 hours
• If you plan to take your time and visit the Iga Ninja Museum etc.: Half a day to a full day

Nearby spots

• Iga-ryu Ninja Museum (Ninja Shows and Exhibits) — Learn about ninja history and see demonstrations.
• Ueno Park (Haisei-den and haiku monuments) - Facilities and haiku monuments associated with Matsuo Basho are scattered around the park.
• Iga City Ueno Museum (Historical Exhibition) - Stores and exhibits historical materials from the region.
• Stroll around the remains of samurai residences and the old castle town - lined with old streets, souvenir shops and restaurants serving local cuisine.
• Seasonal events (Cherry Blossom Festival, Ninja Festival, etc.) — Depending on the time of year, lively events are held.

Things to be aware of (crowds, manners, seasonal precautions, etc.)

• congestion:During cherry blossom season, long weekends, and public holidays, there are many tourists, and parking lots and surrounding roads are congested. Please avoid peak times or consider using public transportation.
• foot:There are stone steps, slopes, and poorly paved areas. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Wheelchair and stroller access is restricted in some areas, so please check in advance.
• climate:It gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter, so please dress appropriately and stay hydrated. Stone walls and slopes can become slippery in rainy weather.
• Manners:As this is a historic site, please refrain from entering areas outside the designated areas, picking plants, making noise, etc. Please be sure to take your trash with you or dispose of it in designated areas.
• Check viewing information:The contents of the tour and opening hours may change due to changes in exhibits, facility renovations, and events. We recommend checking the latest information on the official website or tourist information center before visiting.

Iga Ueno Castle is a spot with many attractions that combines history, nature, and local culture. Please take your time to explore the surrounding museums and ninja-related facilities, referring to the above-mentioned guidelines and points to note.