Iga-Ueno Castle
About This Destination
Rising above the legendary birthplace of ninja culture, Iga-Ueno Castle has Japan's tallest stone walls at 30 meters high. The elegant white-walled castle keep, reconstructed in 1935 using traditional methods, houses artifacts from the region's feudal past. Combined with the adjacent Ninja Museum where visitors can explore hidden doors and secret passages, this hilltop fortress offers a close look at the shadowy world of Japan's most famous covert warriors.
Location
Prefecture: Mie
Address: Mie, Japan
Nearest Station: Iga-Ueno
Opening hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Closed: Closed 29 to 31 December.
Hours note: Last entry is at 16:45.
Hours and fees checked against the official site on 9 October 2026.
Best time to visit: Spring for cherry blossoms around the high-walled ninja castle; spring also brings the Iga ninja festival
Visitor Information
Credit Cards: Unknown
Access
Mie, Japan
Get DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Iga-Ueno Castle from Osaka or Nagoya?
From Osaka or Nagoya, take a train to Iga-Kambe or Iga-Ueno and change to the Iga Railway, which runs to Uenoshi Station in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours total. The castle is about a 7-minute walk from Uenoshi Station, inside Ueno Park.
What is Iga-Ueno Castle known for?
Nicknamed the White Phoenix Castle, it has stone walls of about 30 metres, among the highest castle walls in Japan, with a wooden keep rebuilt in 1935. Ueno Park around it also includes the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, with ninja shows and a trick house, and the Basho Memorial in the birthplace town of poet Matsuo Basho.
What are the fees and opening hours?
The castle costs about ¥600. The Iga-ryu Ninja Museum is about ¥800, with the ninja show an extra ¥500. Most sites open roughly 9:00 to 17:00.
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