Iga Ueno Castle 上野城跡（平楽寺跡）

Description

The towering stone walls of this hilltop castle are among the tallest in Japan at about 30 meters high. Iga Ueno Castle was built over 400 years ago for local lords, and the current structure was rebuilt from the same materials as the original. The castle has displays of swords, armor, scrolls, and taiko drums, and within walking distance are the Ninja Museum of Igaryu and a museum dedicated to legendary poet Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694). The city holds a five-week ninja-themed festival from early April to early May and a festival in October that includes a parade of elaborate floats and a “procession of ogres.”