The stone walls of Iga Ueno Castle are considered some of the tallest in Japan, rivaling those of Osaka Castle.
The castle keep visible today is a 1935 reconstruction funded by local politician Kawataki Eizaburo.
The park grounds house the Haiseiden, a unique circular building designed by architect Yoshiro Taniguchi to resemble the travel hat of poet Matsuo Basho.
Iga is historically recognized as the birthplace of the Iga-ryu school of ninjutsu.
The park was originally designated as a historical site in the early 20th century to preserve the remnants of the Edo-period fortress.
Ueno Park is a historical public space located on the former site of Iga Ueno Castle in Iga, Mie Prefecture. The park encompasses the reconstructed Iga Ueno Castle, a wooden structure noted for its high stone walls. The Iga-ryu Ninja Museum is situated within the park grounds, highlighting the region's connection to historical shinobi traditions. It features the Danjiri Museum and the Basho Memorial Museum, dedicated to the poet Matsuo Basho. The park is a major regional site for cherry blossom viewing, containing approximately 1,000 cherry trees. The stone walls of the castle keep reach heights of up to 30 meters, ranking among the tallest in Japan. The grounds are laid out across the elevated terrain of the former Ueno Castle inner bailey. Visitors can traverse the park paths to view traditional architecture and manicured gardens.
The view from the base of the castle looking up at the high stone walls.
Combine your park visit with the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum for a comprehensive look at local history.
Explore the stone wall viewpoints for a better perspective of the castle's defensive scale.
Allow extra time if visiting during the spring cherry blossom festival as paths become crowded.
Do not mistake the modern reconstruction of the castle for an original medieval fortification.
Museums within the park typically close during year-end holidays.
Respect silence near the Basho Memorial Museum and refrain from climbing on historic stone walls.
