JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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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Geku is Ise Jingu's Outer Shrine (officially named "Toyouke Daijingu"). It is one of the two main shrines of Ise Jingu. Geku worships the god Toyouke Omikami, who is responsible for the food of Amaterasu Omikami worshipped at Naiku. She is also the kami for food, clothing, and shelter. Geku was founded about 1,500 years ago. According to tradition, you first visit Geku, then you visit Naiku or Inner Shrine. I visited Ise Jingu Shrine on New Year's Day on Jan. 1, 2013. I noticed that Geku was not as crowded as the more popular Naiku.

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Ise Jingu Shrine's Naiku (Inner Shrine) is the main and most popular shrine at Ise. Officially named, "Kotaijingu." It worships Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor of the Imperial Family and the tutelary kami of the Japanese people. Naiku was founded 2000 years ago. The shrine is rebuilt every 20 years and 2013 will mark the completion of the new shrine to replace the old one built in 1993. Ise Jingu's main shrine is Naiku (Inner Shrine) which I visited on Jan. 1, 2013. It was much more crowded than Geku (Outer Shrine). Also see my video: https://youtu.be/hjbGtgBbQfI

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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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Seki-juku was the 47th station or lodging/post town on the old Tokaido Road. It well retains a traditional townscape with a good number of traditional Edo Period buildings including the Honjin and Waki Honjin. A few buildings are open to the public as museums. Seki-juku is an Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District. Short walk from JR Seki Station on the Kansai Line.

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During the Edo Period, Kameyama Castle was the Ise-Kameyama Domain headquarters and center of Kameyama-juku lodging town on the Tokaido Road. It still has the Tamon-yagura turret (open to the public), castle walls, and a partially reconstructed Ninomaru keep. Short walk from JR Kameyama Station (JR Kansai Line).

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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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Meiwa is a rural town (pop. 22,500) next to Ise and noted as the site of the Saiku Palace (斎宮) where the Ise Jingu Grand Shrines' High Priestess (Saio princess, also spelled Saioh) resided during the 7th to 14th centuries. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines. Each time a Saio princess was appointed as the new High Priestess, she traveled from Kyoto to the Saiku Palace in Meiwa.
Held annually on the first full weekend in June, the Saio Matsuri festival reenacts part of the Saio princess procession traveling from Kyoto to the Saiku Palace. The main highlight is the Saio princess procession on the second and main day of the festival. The festival is held on the site of the Saiku Palace where pillar holes and other ruins have been found over a large area.
Closest station is Saiku Station on the Kintetsu Yamada Line which is the same train line that goes on to Ise-shi (Ise Grand Shrines) and Toba Station (Mikimoto Pearl Island).

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Museum explaining about the Saiku Palace and the Saio princess. Lots of exhibits related to the Saiku Palace, Saio princess, her journey from Kyoto, and customs. Officially named in English "Saiku Historical Museum."
Closest station is Saiku Station on the Kintetsu Yamada Line which is the same train line that goes on to Ise-shi (Ise Grand Shrines) and Toba Station (Mikimoto Pearl Island).

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Mikimoto Pearl Island is a small, historic island full of tourist attractions for pearl lovers. Highlights include pearl diver demonstrations, an educational pearl museum, pearl jewelry shop, and a museum about Mikimoto Kokichi. Short walk from Toba Station.

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Toba Castle site is on a small hilltop overlooking Mikimoto Pearl Island. Only a few stone walls and a well remain. No buildings. It was once the administrative center for the Toba Domain. The last occupants was the Inagaki Clan. Shiroyama Park is also gives nice views of the pearl island. Short walk from Toba Station.

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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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