Top 10 Things to do in Iga, Japan

January 17, 2018 Rebbecca Marino

Iga is a city located in central Kii Peninsula, in the mountainous western Mie Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2012, the city has an estimated population of 95,137 and a population density of 170 persons per km². The total area is 558.15 km².
Restaurants in Iga

1. Iga-ryu Ninja Museum

117 Ueno Marunochi, Iga 518-0873, Mie Prefecture +81 595-23-0311
Excellent
31%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 290 reviews

Iga-ryu Ninja Museum

Reviewed By jbaniel - Manila, Philippines

A quick search for the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum would bring up wonderful images of an idylic Ninja House and some amazing people in costume. What it doesn't is the travel time of more than 2 hours to and from this place.
You would likely spend around 30-1 hour to tour this place especially if you'll avail of the Ninja Show. It's an awesome place to visit. The museum is very informative and honestly amazing. Do take note that there are timeslots for the Ninja House tour, as well as the Ninja Show. Make sure that you check their website beforehand. Your best bet would be to go in the morning, this way you are assured that there will be a show and when you go back to the city there would still be time to go elsewhere.
Personally, I did mind the commute but only before actually seeing what the place was. The experience was not just composed of the tour nor the show but the whole journey. Alighting from the conventional railway and being welcomed by Ninjas along the steps ;) To riding a train that is composed of just one car! And to riding the ninja train. The town worked hard in building up the attraction and it lived up to the expectatation.
I gave it 4 stars simply because of the travel time.
Protip: If its your first time in Osaka and have limited time to spare, I would suggest skipping this place. Maybe reserve it for your second visit as there are more Osaka-ish places worth visiting.

2. Moku Moku Farm

3609 Nishiyubune, Iga 518-1392, Mie Prefecture +81 595-43-0909
Excellent
34%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 109 reviews

Moku Moku Farm

Reviewed By malsol - BKK

This is big farm garden. They sale very very fresh Vegetable,local fruits,Home made meat delicatessen. pig show,hot spring spa,free trial foots hot spring spa etc...

3. Ueno Castle

106 Uenomarunouchi, Iga 518-0873, Mie Prefecture +81 595-21-3148
Excellent
17%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 180 reviews

Ueno Castle

Reviewed By Allan L - Sydney, Australia

A very peaceful place to visit compared to the crowds in the better-known Castles. The interior (admission charge) is mostly a museum but, unfortunately, almost everything is exclusively written in Japanese. The castle is very picturesque and offers fine views of the town of Ueno-shi and surrounding farmlands. It is 5-10 minutes walk from Ueno-shi station, with a manageable climb. Ueno-shi has a remote feel about it, and is a nice example of a rural town.

4. Ueno Park

116 Ueno Marunochi | non è il parco di Ueno a Tokyo e il segnalibro è sbagliato, Iga 518-8501, Mie Prefecture +81 595-22-9695
Excellent
14%
Good
72%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 67 reviews

Ueno Park

Reviewed By AccidentalTourist69 - Singapore

Not to be confused with the one in Tokyo, this one in Iga is the original Ueno park. It is nice for a stroll with cherry blossom trees around. Would probably be a wonderful area to visit during sakura season. This park, when done together with the ninja museum and Ueno castle makes for a great day trip.

5. Haiseiden

Ueno Marunochi, Iga 518-0873, Mie Prefecture
Excellent
12%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 33 reviews

Haiseiden

Reviewed By LandStander82 - New Westminster, Canada

This is a building erected to honour the haiku poet Basho. There is a statue of him inside, but the door/gate is closed (you can still see through but it may be dim for a picture)- except for one day in the year (October 12th), when people come from all over the world for the festival celebrating Basho - on that day the door is open and you can even go inside.
There were lots of guides around when we went, one of whom told us that the architecture of the building is meant to represent the traveller's clothing that he would have worn when he departed.

6. Roadside Station Iga

Tsugemachi, Iga 518-1402, Mie Prefecture +81 595-45-3513
Excellent
10%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
42%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 28 reviews

Roadside Station Iga

Reviewed By jmluc90

The roadside station in Iga is old, somewhat outdated, and not very interesting, but I don't know of anywhere else where you can get as much food, good food, for such a low price. I would especially recommend the Omuraisu (Omlet rice) or the Tonkatsu. Seriosuly though, come hungry. One point of caution, last time I went it was maybe 6:30 - 7:30 or so and only one of the restaurants was open. I was very disappointed by this, but very much enjoyed the one that was open.

7. Iga Tetsudo

Iga, Mie Prefecture +81 595-21-0863
Excellent
10%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 20 reviews

Iga Tetsudo

Reviewed By Andrew M

We took this train between Iga Ueno and Uenoshi, with the main intent of visiting Ueno Castle and the Iga Ninja Museum. The train ride was for 2 stops and lasted only 7 minutes. The train fare was 260 yen, and is a "private" train so is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.The train is run by the Iga Railway Company and was designed by Leiji Matsumoto, one of the best manga (anime) cartoonists.
The train is decorated with ninja themed items. The hand rails are in the shape of shuriken (ninja stars), and there are ninja dolls hiding in odd places on the train.There are a few images in the carriages of the main attractions in Uenoshi. On the left hand side of the train, heading towards Uenoshi, there is a photo opportunity of the Ueno Castle, when you are near to town. This is probably the best photo that you will get of the castle at a distance, with the town in the background.
If you have children travelling with you, this train is a must. A short ride, but they will be so interested in looking for the ninja dolls that they will be in Uenoshi before they realise it. More fun awaits at the train station, as you will see Ninja Dolls at the entrance to the Uenoshi Station after getting off the train.

8. Aekuni Shrine

877 Ichinomiya, Iga 518-0003, Mie Prefecture +81 595-23-3061
Excellent
15%
Good
70%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 13 reviews

Aekuni Shrine

Reviewed By malsol - BKK

This shrine Continued from the Heian period, there is a venerable.
There is a "Momotaro" rock on the right side of the precincts of the stairs.
"Momotaro" is a story handed down from ancient Japan.
Boy that was born from in a large peach was named as "Momotaro".
Grow, by getting rid of demons that attack the villagers, and save the villagers.
When pray and touch to this rock and bestow the brave children There is a legend.
Wait!it is not yet finished.
Let's walk 50m from there to the left. Left bank and pond.
There is a small shrine on the right side.
And up the stairs of the second steps,
there is a small shrine in the place where I went to the back.
Old is a small shrine.
you try to pray here if you want you a good marriage.
I prayed as a child, I forgot.
But now I have been married, passed 15 years.
no Children .
Because, when I was a child, I did not touch
because feeling bad caterpillar was there on the Momotaro rock.
Every December first week,there has traditional festival.
you can see young girl shaman dance.it is photogenic.

9. Kumihimo no Sato

116-2 Uenomarunouchi, Iga 518-0873, Mie Prefecture +81 595-23-8038
Excellent
33%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 12 reviews

Kumihimo no Sato

“Kumihimo” braid is a traditional Japanese handicraft. A large variety of “Kumihimo” products including accessories and small articles for kimono are on sale. Experience making your original trendy “Kumihimo” bracelet or key chain.

Reviewed By Madalyn H

I recently spent a lovely afternoon at the Kumihimo museum and craft centre in Iga. The venue is a small museum with information and displays about Kumihimo, a traditional Japanese style of braiding (perhaps most famously shown in the widely popular anime film Kimi no Na wa). There is a gift shop with some creative examples of how Kumihimo can be used, but the real draw of the museum is the option to braid your own Kumihimo. With guided instructions you can learn how to make a Kumihimo bracelet or keychain and take it home with you as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. At the moment, the majority of the information on display at the museum is in Japanese, and most of the instructions I received on how to make Kumihimo were also completely in Japanese. However, the museum is actively working on adding English language information and instructions to make the experience more accessible. I would recommend Kumihimo no Sato to families with young children, artistically-minded travelers, and anyone with an interest in learning about and making traditional Japanese crafts.

10. Basho Birthplace

Ueno Akasakacho, Iga 518-0871, Mie Prefecture +81 595-24-2711
Excellent
11%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
51%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 18 reviews

Basho Birthplace

Reviewed By malsol - BKK

IF you fit on Ninja wear at Danjiri Kaikan,you will want to take a nice your photo exactly. I recommend to here.
this house walk mints from Danjiri Kaikan.
Entrance fee 300 yen,you can not get on floor,but you can take to photo freedom!
Mr.Basho is very very famous poem man 300years ago.
His poem style is only 5wards-7wards-5wards,too short poem.
He was born at this house.
so,what it means Basho?If you want to know answer,you will go out this garden.you will find to answer.
Please enjoy!

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