Iga Ueno Castle (Impressive Stone Walls)

Iga Ueno Castle, located in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, was originally built in 1585 by the Sengoku period warlord Tsutsui Sadatsugu. It was later extensively expanded by Todo Takatora. The castle is most famous for its high stone walls, which are among the tallest in Japan (approximately 30 meters), offering both defensive functionality and aesthetic appeal. The current wooden castle tower was reconstructed in 1935, funded by local educator Kawasaki Katsu. To visit, take the Kintetsu train to "Iga-Kambe Station," transfer to the "Iga Railway," and get off at "Ueno-shi Station." From there, it's about a 5–10 minute walk to the castle site. I visited early in the morning, and there were hardly any foreign tourists. The stone walls were truly impressive. If you're planning to visit both Osaka and Nagoya, consider stopping by here for an hour or two. 🕰️ Opening Hours: Castle Tower: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:45 PM) 💰 Admission Fee: Adults: ¥600