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Iga-Ueno Castle is one of three major tourist attractions in the city of Iga. It is a short walk from Ueno-shi Station on the Kintetsu Iga Line.
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Stone marker for Ueno Castle located in Ueno Park. Officially called Ueno Castle and nicknamed Hakuho Castle or Iga-Ueno Castle. Noted for cherry blossoms in April and the highest castle walls in Japan.
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Iga-Ueno Castle was first built by Takigawa Katsutoshi, a vassal of Kitabatake Nobuaki (Oda Nobuo, Nobunaga's second son). In 1585, Tsutsui Sadatsugu took over. initiated construction of Iga Ueno Castle in 1585. He was followed by Tsutsui Sadatsugu
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They are still excavating a few areas of the castle for historical remains. I visited in April 2009.
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In 1611, Todo Takatora took over Ueno Castle. Iga-Ueno Castle is also a major cherry blossom spot in early April.
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Iga-Ueno Castle and cherry blossoms, Mie Prefecture.
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Iga-Ueno Castle and cherry blossoms, Mie Prefecture.
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Iga-Ueno Castle and cherry blossoms, Mie Prefecture. During the Meiji Restoration, Ueno Castle's structures were dismantled as with many other castles.
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Iga-Ueno Castle's donjon or tenshu tower was reconstructed in 1935 by Kawasaki Katsu, a local politician, using his own funds.
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Iga-Ueno Castle and cherry blossoms, Mie Prefecture.
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In 1980, Ueno Castle served as a backdrop for Kurosawa Akira's movie, Kagemusha.
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Inside the castle tower is the Iga Museum of Culture and Industry. This is the first floor.
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Todo Takatora was originally from Omi or neighboring Shiga Prefecture.
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Todo Takatora's helmet
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Samurai armor
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Bust of Kawasaki Katsu.
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Top floor
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View from atop Iga-Ueno Castle.
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View from atop Iga-Ueno Castle, looking toward Ueno-shi Station.
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Park area above the castle wall.
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You could jump off into the moat below. No fences, so watch your kids.
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Edge of castle wall.
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One of the tallest castle walls in Japan.
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Iga-Ueno from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series. The castle can be seen in the distance.
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Iga Ueno Danjiri Museum
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Inside Iga Ueno Danjiri Museum.
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Ueno-shi Station
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