What to know
Iga City (伊賀市, Iga-shi) was formed in 2004 through the merger of Ueno City and five surrounding towns and villages. The city takes its name from the former Iga Province, which covered part of what is now Mie Prefecture. To avoid confusion with other places called Ueno, the area is commonly referred to as Iga Ueno (伊賀上野).
Iga Ueno is best known for ninja. The Iga school of ninjutsu (the art of stealth), based in the former Ueno City, was one of Japan's two leading ninja schools during the feudal era (the other was the Koka school in neighboring Shiga Prefecture). Today, Iga Ueno draws visitors with its excellent ninja museum.
Iga Ueno is also the birthplace of one of Japan's greatest poets, Matsuo Basho, who lived during the early Edo Period. A memorial museum, his birth home, and a former hermitage are among the city's Basho-related sites.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Original name
- Iga Ueno
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