Iga Travel Guides

The Iga area offers tourist attractions such as Yakushiji Temple, Ueno Park, and Akame 48 Waterfalls; sightseeing events such as the Ueno Tenjin Festival, Iga Ware Pottery Festival, and Nabari River Summer Fireworks Festival; and local delicacies such as Akafuku, Ichigo Daifuku, and Tekonezushi.

Iga-Ueno, located in the northwestern part of Mie, is known as the home of ninja, and prospered as a post town, being a strategic point on the Nara-kaido and Iga-kaido roads. It also prospered as the castle town of Ueno Castle. It is called Iga-Ueno because there is a similar name in Tokyo. It also has a face as a production center of "Iga-yaki" (Iga pottery).

The plateau is located west of Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, and while it can be foggy, the scenery is beautiful and makes a wonderful driving course. The area is also home to a number of windmills, which create a mysterious atmosphere.

Iga, famous as the birthplace of Matsuo Basho, is surrounded by mountains and has a closed atmosphere.

The Iga Yashiki, or Iga House, is also located in this area, and although it is well known that the ninja served the feudal lords, it is less well known that the ninja developed their own culture to ensure the survival of their clan.

The Iga Ninja Museum also introduces the history of the Iga. The museum is also a very popular tourist spot for children, as there are various tricks inside the houses and a "Ninja Demonstration Show". Iga Ueno Castle is also located nearby.

Iga is famous for its Iga-yaki pottery. Kumihimo (braided cord) is another well-known specialty of Iga as well as a traditional culture from long ago. Iga is also known for its delicious Iga sake, which is produced in an environment blessed with natural sake brewing.

Rapeseed oil is also produced here and makes a great souvenir. Sake made from the natural environment of Aoyama is well known as "Aoyama's local sake," and "dechi yokan" is a well-known confectionery in the area.

Traditional arts such as kumi-himo are available at the hands-on corner, as is geta (wooden clogs) making. These traditional arts are also well known as the regular work of ninja. Visitors can also take part in a variety of other hands-on activities, such as woodworking and soba noodle making.

Events are also held for local products, such as the Hatsuse Highway Festival and the Sake Kura Festival, so if you are interested in these events, please visit them as well.