Iga Land of the Ninja Historical Walking Course

Known as a land of the ninja, Iga is a history-rich castle town nestled among the hills. It is home to a museum that passes on ninja wisdom and skills, the beautiful white keep of Iga Ueno Castle, and the birthplace of the haiku master Matsuo Basho. Marvel at the hidden mechanisms and stroll the old town in a course perfect for history lovers.

Course Route

10:00 Start at the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum Head to the ninja museum inside Ueno Park. With a guide, tour the trick-filled ninja house, complete with revolving walls and hidden doors.

10:45 Watch the Ninja Skills Show A powerful demonstration using real ninja tools is a must-see. There is also a corner where you can try throwing shuriken.

11:30 Tour Iga Ueno Castle Visit this lovely castle, also called Hakuho Castle. The tall stone walls, said to have been built by Todo Takatora, rank among the highest in Japan.

12:30 Lunch in the Castle Town Enjoy local Iga sake and regional dishes for lunch. Charming eateries are dotted throughout the castle town.

13:30 Follow the Footsteps of Basho Visit the birthplace of the poet Matsuo Basho and the Haiseiden hall dedicated to him. The unusual octagonal building is said to be shaped like Basho in his traveling attire.

14:30 Festival Culture at the Danjiri Hall Finish by learning about Iga festival culture at a hall introducing the floats and demon procession of the Ueno Tenjin Festival.

Highlights

The highlight of this course is the trickery of the ninja house. What looks like an ordinary home hides secret doors and escape routes, and listening to the guide reveals their clever design. The tall stone walls of Iga Ueno Castle are also impressive. The calm atmosphere of the castle town rewards a slow walk.

Access and Tips

The Ninja Museum and Iga Ueno Castle are both gathered inside Ueno Park, so you can walk between them. The nearest stop is Uenoshi Station on the Iga Railway. The ninja show runs on a set schedule, so check the times as soon as you enter. It also helps to look up hands-on events such as shuriken throwing in advance.

A Quick Tip

The ninja house has many stairs and contraptions, so easy-to-move clothing is recommended. Renting a ninja costume to walk the castle town adds a fun, photo-worthy touch.