Iga Ueno Castle

Iga Ueno Castle

Also known as Shirahō Castle, Iga Ueno Castle is a hirayama-style renkaku (staggered enclosures) castle located in Marunouchi, Ueno City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It was originally built in 1585 by Tsutsui Sadatsugu. Situated at the center of the Ueno Basin on the northern slopes of the Ueno Plateau at an elevation of 180 meters, the old castle grounds have been designated as a national historic site.

The tenshu (main keep) of Iga Ueno Castle was destroyed by a severe storm in 1612. It wasn’t until 1935 that local notable Kawasaki rebuilt it, constructing a three-story main keep and a two-story small keep. Due to Kawasaki’s insistence on a purely traditional Japanese style, the reconstructed tenshu is not made of reinforced concrete but rather wooden construction with tiled roofing, and the entire structure is coated with white plaster. Although the current Iga Ueno Castle has also endured decades of change, it remains the city’s most iconic landmark. The surrounding area, including the ancient castle ruins, has been integrated into Ueno Park. The park offers fresh air and an elegant environment, and in addition to sightseeing spots such as the Haiku Saint Hall (dedicated to Matsuo Bashō), the Bashō Memorial Museum, and the Iga-ryū Ninja Museum, it also hosts various events year-round, attracting many domestic and international visitors annually.

Iga Ueno Castle

Must-visit reason: The most iconic scenic spot in Iga City

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Mie Prefecture [Mie Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Iga City [Iga]