Officially called Ueno Castle and nicknamed Hakuho Castle, Iga-Ueno Castle is a reconstructed castle in Ueno Park. Noted for cherry blossoms in April and the highest castle walls in Japan. Conveniently located near the Ninja House.

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Iga-Ueno is best known for ninja. In Ueno Park, you will find the Iga-ryu Ninja House and Museum catering to hordes of tourists. They also offer a ninja show for 200 yen. The Iga-Ueno Ninja Festa is also held during April when many tourists dress up as ninja and walk around the city.

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Iga is the birthplace of Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), and the house where he grew up in still stands. It is open to the public as a tourist attraction not far from Ueno Park. The house was rebuilt after it being damaged by a large earthquake in 1854. The house includes his study called Chogetsuken study where he wrote Kai-ooi series of poems.

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One of Japan's most famous views is these two rocks in the ocean bonded together by heavy shimenawa ropes. The rope is replaced three times a year. One of the days is May 5, when these pictures were taken. Near Futaminoura Station.

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Noted for cherry blossoms, Kyuka Park is on the site of Kuwana Castle which was occupied by Honda Tadakatsu. Adjacent to the park is the Kuwana-juku post town on the Tokaido Road that welcomed visitors after they crossed the ocean (Shichiri-no-watashi) from Miya-juku in Aichi.

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Held on the first weekend of April (except April 1st and 2nd), the Oyashiro Festival's main event is the Ageuma ceremony when six teenage boys gallop on horses to leap up a steep incline. The Ageuma is unique to Mie Prefecture. Also see my YouTube video here.

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Moats, stone walls, a garden, and only one turret (reconstructed in 1958) are left. A statue of Lord Todo Takatora also stands.

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