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 with a different phase of construction and development. Its surviving stone walls, elegant keep, and historical setting make it one of the major landmarks of the Iga region.
The original Iga Ueno Castle was constructed in 1585 by Tsutsui Sadatsugu. A three-story castle keep was built on a plateau that had previously been occupied by Heirakuji and Yakushiji temples. The castle town developed to the north of the fortress.
In 1608, Tsutsui was removed from his position as lord, and the castle passed into a new phase of development. The original keep is believed to have collapsed around 1633.
In 1608, Todo Takatora entered Iga Ueno Castle under orders from Tokugawa Ieyasu. A distinguished castle designer, Takatora undertook an extensive reconstruction, creating formidable stone ramparts approximately 30 meters high and positioning the main gate on the southern side.
A five-story castle keep was under construction when a powerful storm destroyed it in 1612. After the Toyotomi forces were defeated, the shogunate prohibited further castle construction, and the keep was never rebuilt during the Edo period. The domain was instead administered by senior retainers acting as castle governors, who continued to oversee the region until the end of the shogunate.
The current keep was reconstructed in 1932 through the efforts of local residents and supporters who wished to preserve the area’s heritage. Known as the Iga Cultural and Industrial Castle, it consists of a three-story main keep and a smaller two-story keep connected in a compound-style design.
Its graceful appearance earned it the nickname Hakuho Castle, meaning “White Phoenix Castle.” Today, it is a familiar symbol of Iga and a prominent landmark for the local community.
In 1967, the former castle grounds were designated a National Historic Site of Japan and developed into Ueno Park. The park is now home to several cultural attractions, including Haiseiden, a hall dedicated to the haiku poet Matsuo Basho; the Basho Memorial Museum; and the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum.
The impressive stone walls built under Todo Takatora remain one of the castle’s most striking features. Parts of the historic storehouses have also survived or been relocated within the park. These remains offer visitors a glimpse into the castle’s former role as a center of regional administration and defense.
With its towering stone ramparts, reconstructed wooden keep, and surrounding cultural attractions, Iga Ueno Castle provides an engaging introduction to the history of central Japan. Exploring the castle and Ueno Park is an opportunity to learn about the region’s feudal past and its enduring connections to samurai culture, literature, and the famous ninja traditions of Iga.