About Iga Ueno Castle
Iga Ueno Castle, also known as Shiroho Castle, is a terraced hirayama castle located in Ueno Marunouchi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, originally founded in 1585 by Tsutsui Tingji. It is located in the center of the Ueno Basin, on the northern slope of the Ueno Plateau, 180 meters above sea level, and the area around the old castle has been recognized as a national historical site.
The Tensokaku of Iga Ueno Castle was destroyed by a great storm in 1612, and it was not until 1935 that Kawasaki, a local celebrity, restored the three-story Tensokaku and the two-story Kotensokaku. Due to Kawasaki’s strong desire for a purely Japanese style, the restored Tensho was not a reinforced concrete building, but a wooden tile repair, and the entire building was covered with white plaster. Although the present Iga Ueno Castle has also survived the vicissitudes of decades, it is still the most iconic attraction in Iga City. The suburban area including the old castle pond has been integrated into Ueno Park, where the air is fresh and the environment is elegant. Many tourists from home and abroad visit the park every year.
How to get there
(1)8 minutes on foot from Uenoichi Station
(2)10 minutes by car from the Nakase IC on the Meihan National Highway (for those coming from Nagoya)
(3)10 minutes by car from the Ueno IC of the Meihan National Highway (for those coming from Osaka)
Tips
It was amazing to see the high stone walls from above.
I thought it would be difficult to climb up to the top since the castle tower is located at such a high place, but it was surprisingly easy to climb up.
Inside the restored wooden castle tower, there were many displays of armor, which was very exciting. The stairs inside the building are quite steep.
Website
https://www.kankomie.or.jp/en/spot/detail_3156.html
