Source: John Gillespie
Situated in Mie prefecture, Iga is a historical city known for some legendary individuals like the celebrated artist Matsuo Basho and a ninja Hattori Hanzo. The city of Iga Ueno is most famous in Japan for Ninja museum and Matsuo Basho Memorial Museum. The home of the samurai who lived here and temples in the city gives the vibe of the historical era of this city. It is likewise well known as the origin of the Iga ninja spies, which is one of the ninja schools set up around the fifteenth century. The Iga school of ninjutsu , situated in the previous Ueno City, used to be one of Japan’s two main schools for Ninja amid the medieval period. For Ninja Lovers, Iga city is a must visit destination in Japan. Below are some of the best things to do in Iga.
1. Iga Ueno Castle
Source : wikipedia.org
Initially built sixteenth century, Ueno Castle was home to feudal masters in Edo Period. The manor was wrecked because of a storm and was not reconstructed until the nineteenth century when a neighborhood occupant offered assistance to assemble the stronghold again.The internal channel of Ueno Castle brags highest stone walls in a castle in Japan. The donjon was reconstructed in 1935 with wood only. Inside the stronghold, you can see weapons, war items, and different relics of the Todo family, and 46 beautiful roof works of art by Taikan Yokoyama and different artists.
Information
- Name: Iga Ueno Castle
- Address: 106 Ueno Marunouchi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-21-3148
- Timings: 9:00 to 17:00
- Closed: From 29-31 December
- Entry Fees: 500 Yen
- Parking Fees: 500 Yen Per Day
2. Ninja Museum of Igaryu
One of the most famous museums in country, Ninja Museum of Igaryu has a Ninja House with spinning dividers ,and other concealed surprises, a Ninja Experience Hall with genuine ninja devices, and a Ninja Tradition Hall where you can find out about ninja abilities and skills. Guests can watch a show where ninja devices that were really utilized as a part of the ninja prime are illustrated. Swords like Katana, Shuriken, and kusarigama are utilized as a part of this energizing showcase. Ninja Museum likewise offers unique ninja products that can’t be discovered anyplace else. There are items like ninja devices, shirts, and ninja dress, all of which are uncommon things just found here.
Information
- Name: Ninja Museum of Igaryu
- Address: Ueno Park, Marunouchi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-23-0311
- Timings: 9:00 to 17:00
- Closed: From Dec 29 to Jan 3
- Timings: 700 Yen
- Parking fees: 500 Yen
3. Visit the House of Japan’s Greatest Poet
Matsuo Basho was born here in Iga, who was a standout amongst the most praised writers in Japanese history. Lovingly referred to just as Basho, the artist deserted a legacy of awesome scholarly works, particularly as haiku, a unique Japanese Poetry. The Basho Memorial Museum located nearby the castle displays works composed by Basho and maps demonstrating the courses that he tackled his ventures. Basho’s Birth House is additionally found adjacent where visitors can have a look at the living states of the artist and the room where Basho wrote his first haiku.
Information
- Name: Basho Memorial Museum
- Address: Ueno Park, Marunouchi, Iga City
- Timings: 8:30 to 17:00
- Closed: December 29 to January 3
- Fees: 750 yen
4. The Danjiri Museum
It is a unique museum which is dedicated to Ueno Tenjin Festival, which is held every year in the month of October. Instantly after entering the historical center, guests will be confronted with an enormous round glass encasement showing 3 danjiri and huge figures, mimicking how the festival is celebrated. Expansive screens intermittently demonstrate a film about the social and common attributes of Iga Ueno.The historical center is likewise one of a few places in the city where visitors can rent ninja clothing and wear them while touring in the town or have their photo taken dressed as a ninja.
Information
- Name: The Danjiri Museum
- Address: 3156-1 Ueno Konya-machi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-23-8381
- Timings: 10:00 to 17:00
- Fees: 700 Yen
5. Visit the Historical Samurai School
It was a great Samurai school known as Sukodo School which was built amid the later phases of the Edo Period where children of the samurai were given education. The school was established in 1821 however the first building was devastated amid a major seismic tremor in 1854. The present building was remade in the 1860s, and it served as an open library for most of the twentieth century. Sukodo offers visitors the architecture style of Edo Period with its wooden establishment, rich screens, and tiled rooftop.
Information
- Name: Sukodo Former School
- Address: 78-1 Ueno Marunouchi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-24-6090
- Timings: 9:00 to 16:30
- Closed: December 29 to January 3
- Fees: 200 Yen
6. Enjoy Tea at Historical Murai’s Tea House
Also called the Ninja Tea House, this interesting little tea shop has been doing business for more than 100 years. They are known for expertise in serving Uji tea, which originates from Uji, a town celebrated for it’s green tea. The shop offers an assortment of teas, delicate frozen yogurts, and pastries. The shop is brightened with photographs of the family and a few Japanese VIPs, alongside different knickknacks. This should be in the must visit places for tourist s in Iga.
7. Enjoy Beer and Dine at Moku Moku Farm
It is a large farm in Iga that is known for producing different foods organically and yet is particularly known for its pork and brew. It is one of the biggest farms in Mie and draws a nice number of sightseers to its principle ranch in northern Iga. The farm also has a number of restaurants whose ingredient’s are supplied by the ranch. There is a classroom where guests can try their hand at making foods, for the most part, sausages, and bread. There is also a natural hot spring on location with picturesque open air showers.
Information
- Name: Moku Moku Farm
- Address : 3609 Nishi-Yubune, Iga City, Mie Prefecture 518-1392 JAPAN
- Phone: (+81) 595 43 0909
- Access: 8 Minute Walk from Mibuno Interchange
- Farm Timings: 10:00 16:30
- Shops and Restaruants Timings: 9:00 21:00
- Spa Timings: 13:00 – 22:00
- Price : Farm Area (500 Yen), Spa ( 820 Yen)
8. Learn Silk Braiding at Iga Ueno Braiding Center
Source: chris
Silk Braiding in Iga is assigned as a national importance workmanship. The plaited ropes, produced using silk string, are utilized to secure Obi belts and coats. Iga Ueno Braiding Center offers braided cords and also workshops for silk braidings. Intricately twisting delightfully colored silk strings to deliver quality braids with singular texture, the antiquated procedures of Iga kumihimo live on as a vital piece of life in current Japan. They are still particularly used to tie obi and the customary overcoat called a haori.
Information
- Name: Iga Ueno Braiding Center
- Address: 929-10 Shijuku-cho, Ueno City , Iga City , Mie Prefecture 518-0823, Japan
- Access: 10 Min Walk from Kintetsu Kuwa-machi station
- Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Closed: Mondays
- Entrance Fees: Free
9. Be a Ninja at Shinobi-no-Yakata
Source: Cric32
Ninja’s have colossal fan pursuing all around the globe. So on the off chance that you are likewise among those, than don’t miss this spot called as Shinobi-no-Yakata in Iga city. This old building has been changed into a virtual place of ninja . Attempt your hand at various games offered by the center like tossing shuriken and fishing the ninja scrolls. Visitors can also enjoy the action games played on a large screen.
Information
- Name: Shinobi-no-Yakata
- Address: 3156-1 Ueno Konya-machi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-23-8381
- Timings: 10:00 to 17:00
- Fees: 700 Yen for Asults and 500 Yen for children
10. Visit Minomushi-An
Matsuo Basho was the famous poet who developed the haiku poetry during Edo period. Basho built up his own particular style of haiku and lifted haiku to an art form. Haiku is the briefest type of verse on the planet and Basho’s works are said to be one of greatest artistic expression. At the point when Basho would come back from his haiku ventures he would stay with his sibling, as well with his disciples in various residences. Of 5 of the famous residences, only one is left now which is Minomushi-An. Here Hattori Doho lives who was the disciple of Basho. In this cabin, Doho composed the works of Basho after his passing into a work called the “Three Books” .
Information
- Name: Minomushi-An
- Address: 1820 Ueno Nishi-hinata-machi, Iga City
- Phone: 0595-23-8921
- Timings: 8:30 to 17:00
- Fees: 300 Yen
Iga is one of the most famous destination for Ninja lovers since it was one of the most famous ninjutsu centers and have variously kept secrets in its museums and historical buildings. Iga Museum of Ninja is one of the most famous museum of Japan visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Have a good trip and travel!
