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.
Akame 48 Waterfalls, located in Nabari City, Mie Prefecture, is a scenic gorge renowned for its clear streams, beautiful waterfalls, and lush natural surroundings. The gorge stretches for approximately 4.2 kilometers, offering visitors a refreshing escape into the Japanese countryside. A network of walking trails follows the stream through the gorge, connecting a variety of waterfalls and allowin...»
Mokumoku Farm in Iga is an interactive farm park where visitors can enjoy rural life, experience agriculture, and learn traditional food-making techniques while connecting with nature. The grounds feature restaurants, gardens, accommodation, and a natural hot spring, making it an enjoyable destination for a full day of activities. Visitors can also watch entertaining performances featuring miniatu...»
Located within Ueno Park, home to Iga Ueno Castle, the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum introduces visitors to the real history and traditions of Japan's legendary ninja. Through three main facilities—the Ninja House, Ninja Experience Hall, and Ninja Tradition Hall—visitors can explore ninja techniques, tools, daily life, and history through engaging exhibits and hands-on activities....»
A Castle Protected by Natural Defenses Iga Ueno Castle stands on a hill approximately 184 meters above sea level in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Also known as Hakuho Castle or simply Ueno Castle, it was built in a naturally strategic location, with the Hattori, Tsuge, Kume, and Kizu rivers flowing through the surrounding region. The castle has a history spanning three distinct periods, each associated w...»
The History of the Todo Family Residence The Nabari Todo Family Residence Ruins are located in Nabari, a town that flourished as a castle town under the Todo clan during the Edo period (1603–1868). The residence was established in 1636 by Todo Takayoshi, a member of the Todo family that ruled the Tsu Domain. His family maintained its residence in Nabari for 11 generations. The buildings that rem...»
A Powerful Hot Pot Inspired by Iga’s Ninja Ninjutsu Nabe is a hearty hot pot associated with Akame Onsen in Iga, Mie Prefecture. It is said to have originated as a nourishing meal for Iga’s ninja, who needed plenty of stamina to endure their demanding physical training. The dish is particularly associated with Momochi Sandayu, a famous ninja of the region. According to local tradition, he enjoye...»
Yōkan-zuke is a traditional pickle from the Iga Basin in Mie Prefecture, a region famous for its ninja heritage. Its name is often interpreted as meaning “pickles that build courage,” and local tradition holds that it was eaten by samurai and ninja as a sustaining food. With its distinctive flavor developed through a lengthy fermentation process, it remains a popular local specialty and souvenir....»
Iga Beef Sukiyaki is a luxurious Japanese hot pot dish made with carefully selected, top-quality Iga beef, a prized specialty of Iga in Mie Prefecture. Renowned for its rich marbling and exceptional tenderness, Iga beef releases abundant, flavorful juices when heated. The meat becomes so soft that it seems to melt in your mouth, offering a remarkably rich and satisfying taste. As the beef cooks, ...»
Iga beef is a prized wagyu specialty from the Iga region of Mie Prefecture, renowned for its rich aroma, deep flavor, and tender texture. Its reputation began to spread throughout Japan in 1905, when Seizaburo Kanaya shipped cattle from Iga to Tokyo for the first time....»
Iga rice is a local specialty of the Iga region in Mie Prefecture, where fertile soil, clear water from the headwaters of the Yodo River, and the distinctive climate of an inland basin create favorable conditions for rice cultivation. Local farmers take great care at every stage of production, from preparing soft, fertile soil to harvesting well-shaped, uniform grains. Their commitment to quality...»
Koshihikari rice from Mie Prefecture is one of the region’s signature rice varieties. Grown widely throughout the prefecture, particularly in the Chūsei and Nansei areas, it is known as an early-harvest rice, with harvesting beginning in late August. The prefecture’s mild climate, rich natural environment, and favorable soils provide excellent conditions for rice cultivation. These growing condit...»
Katayaki Senbei is a traditional specialty of Iga in Mie Prefecture, best known for its extraordinary hardness. According to local tradition, these crackers were once carried by Iga ninja as a convenient source of food during secret missions. When infiltrating enemy residences, ninja might need to remain hidden for days, and durable provisions that could be stored for long periods were essential. ...»
Decchi Yokan is a traditional Japanese confectionery that has been cherished for generations in Iga, Mie Prefecture. One of the local shops known for this specialty is Kogetsudo, a long-established Japanese confectionery store that has been serving the castle town since the Meiji period (1868–1912), with a history spanning well over a century....»