Iga Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Japan’s Ninja Town
As a Naruto fan and someone fascinated by ninjas, Iga (伊賀市) had long been on my Japan bucket list. This small city in Mie Prefecture is known as the birthplace of one of the most renowned school of ninjas, where real-life shinobis once trained in the art of espionage and assassination.
In this guide, I’ll share my top recommendations and travel tips to help you make the most of your visit to this fascinating yet underrated destination in rural Japan. Whether you're a history buff, a ninja enthusiast, or just looking for a unique cultural experience, Iga is a great destination to add to your travel itinerary in the Kansai Region!
Why Visit Iga
During the Sengoku period (1467–1615), Iga was home to some of Japan’s most skilled shinobi, renowned for their mastery of espionage, disguise and assassination. Iga-ryu (伊賀流), one of Japan’s leading schools of ninjutsu, was indeed born in Iga. Today, Iga preserves this rich history through a fascinating museum, ninja shows and historical sites, offering visitors a glimpse into the real world of ninjas beyond what we know from pop culture.
And beyond ninjas, Iga is also a great off-the-beaten-path destination that will attract onsen and nature lovers, as well as those interested in Japanese literature, as it was also the birthplace of Matsuo Basho, Japan’s most famous poet in the Edo period.
How to Get to Iga
Iga is accessible from major cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya via a combination of trains in 1.5 to 2 hours.
JR trains runs from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya to Iga-Ueno Station (伊賀上野駅), and Kintetsu will bring you from Nagoya and Osaka-Namba to Iga-Kambe Station (伊賀神戸駅). From one of these two stations, take a local train on the Iga Railway Line to Uenoshi Station (上野市駅) in downtown Iga, where most of Iga's sights are within walking distance.
Personally, I drove to Iga, the first stop of my week-long roadtrip through Mie and Wakayama prefectures, after renting a car at Chubu airport (I’ll write more about this roadtrip in future articles, so make sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter if you’d like to know more).
Best Things to Do in Iga
Most of the attractions mentioned below are located within a few minutes’ walk from Uenoshi station, in or nearby Ueno Park. If you’re coming by car, you can park at one of the two parking lots (fee is ¥600), next to Uenokoenkanko Information Center (観光案内所).
Learn about Ninjas at the Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum
Located in Ueno Park, the Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum (伊賀流忍者博物館) is an immersive museum which showcases the skills, tools, and daily life of Iga-ryu ninjas, who were among the most feared and skilled shinobi during the feudal era. I found the visit of the maze-like real ninja house fascinating, with its hidden doors and trapdoors. Explanations are provided by a kunoichi (female ninja), who guides visitors through the house, showing and demonstrating each trap or trick it contains (in Japanese if I remember correctly, but written explanations are provided in English as well).
After visiting the ninja house, you can discover in the museum a collection of over 400 ninja tools on display including ninja weapons, scrolls, disguises and more. Overall, the experience was very informative and fun, and I appreciated the large amount of information provided in English.
You can also attend a live ninja show or participate in a shuriken throwing experience. Ninja shows do not take place everyday, so I’d recommend you to check the schedule of the performance in advance here if it interests you (there was none on the day of my visit, unfortunately).
The Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum is open from 10a.m. to 4p.m on weekdays and from 10a.m. to 4:30p.m. on weekends and holidays (the entrance closes 30 minutes before closing time). Admission costs ¥800 for adults (over 16) and ¥500 for children (aged 4 to 15). An additional ¥500 is required to attend the ninja show. Further information is available on the museum's website in English and Japanese.
Enjoy a Stroll in Ueno Park
Beyond the ninja museum, it is nice to take a stroll through Ueno Park (not to be confused with Tokyo’s Ueno Park). Just next to the ninja museum, you’ll see two interest sights: Haisei-den, a memorial to Matsuo Basho (俳聖殿), Japan’s most famous haiku poet who was born in Iga, and the little Shiroyama Inari Shrine (城山稲荷神社). You can stroll along the park's walking paths and admire panoramic views of the castle walls. You can appreciate Japan's seasonal beauty depending on when you visit: in spring, the park's cherry blossoms create a stunning backdrop, while autumn brings vibrant foliage.
You can also visit the local Danjiri Museum (だんじり会館), where you can discover and see objects related to the Ueno Tenjin festival, a local festival that takes place in October with a procession of over 100 demons and danjiri floats through the city. Entrance is ¥600 for adults and the museum is open from 9a.m to 5p.m. On the premises, you'll also find the Iga Ueno Tourist Information Center, a local souvenir store and the “Ninja Transformation Shop” (or Ninja Henshin-dokoro), where you can rent ninja costumes.
Visit Iga-Ueno Castle
Iga-Ueno Castle (伊賀上野城), also known as Hakuho Castle or "White Phoenix Castle”, was originally built in the late 16th century and is famous for having one of the tallest castle walls in Japan, standing at an impressive 30 meters. While the current wooden keep is a reconstruction from 1935, it beautifully preserves the elegance of the original design.
Though I could only admire it from outside as it was closing when I arrived, it is possible to visit the castle for ¥600 and explore exhibits featuring samurai armor, historical artifacts, and views of the city from the top floor.
Take a Walk Around Iga Castle Town
If you have the time and are feeling for some more exploring, you can take a walk around Iga castle town. You can stop to visit for a small fee historical buildings such as the old Suko School (旧崇広堂), were used to study children of samurais, and the old Ota Elementary School (旧小田小学校本館), the oldest existing elementary school building in Mie Prefecture, as well as a few samurai houses and museums and buildings related to Matsuo Basho.
➡️ You can consult the map provided by the Iga Tourist Association showing the different points of interest around Iga here.
Enjoy a Local Onsen
After diving into ninja history and discovering Iga’s cultural sites, there’s no better way to relax than soaking in a local onsen. Iga is home to several natural hot springs. If you're taking a day trip to Iga by public transport, you could head to Ichinoyu (一乃湯), a local sento located a 10-minute walk from Uenoshi station.
If you have a car or planning to stay overnight in the area, you could go further away from downtown Iga and enjoy an onsen bath in Oyamada Hot Spring Sarubino (伊賀の国 大山田温泉 さるびの, accessible by bus or car) or at an hotel with hot springs, where you could go as a day visitor or to spend the night, such as Hill Hotel Sunpia Iga (see my detailed review below).
Hike the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail (and join a ninja training course)
For nature lovers and adventure seekers, the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail offers a breathtaking hike that takes you along a 4-kilometer path past dozens of stunning waterfalls. It's a wonderful hike that deserves its own article, which I'll be writing soon, so stay tuned!
Entrance of the Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail and the Japan Salamander Center
The area is also historically linked to the Iga ninjas, who are said to have trained in these rugged landscapes to hone their agility and survival skills. And you can actually join a ninja training course at the Akame Ninja Training Dojo! Dressed in a ninja outfit, you'll learn stealth techniques, river crossing skills, and even how to throw shuriken. I do not know if the experience is available in English, but you can find more information and reserve a spot for this ninja training course here.
Akame 48 Waterfalls Trail
The hike can be reached in 45 minutes' drive from the town of Iga. In my case, I spent the night in Iga and went by car to do the Akame 48 waterfalls trail the next morning, which is the easiest and most comfortable way. If you can only use public transport, it's still possible to do this hike, but you'll need to plan your transport in advance and be prepared for a longer journey (probably 1.5 to 2 hours one way): you'll need to get to Akameguchi station (赤目口駅) on the Kintetsu-Osaka line and then take the Akame bus line to Akamedaki bus stop (赤目滝). There are only a few buses per day (and less between December and March): you can check the bus timetable here (in Japanese, but you can use automatic translation to English) or on Google maps.
Where to Stay in Iga
During my stay in Iga, I spent a night at Hill Hotel Sunpia Iga (ヒルホテル サンピア伊賀) and had a very pleasant stay at this hotel. While the room I stayed at had a slightly old-fashioned style, it carried a nostalgic charm and was well-equipped and clean. I stayed in a Western-style room, but there are also Japanese-style bedrooms. The hotel offers everything you need for a relaxing stay, including a souvenir shop on the first floor with local specialties, an on-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner (available as part of a stay plan or separately), and a spacious bathhouse with multiple onsen baths—both indoor and outdoor—accessible directly from the hotel. Although I didn't see it because I visited in October, it seems there's also a large outdoor pool that's only open in summer. The hotel also features ninja-related decorations and offers ninja experiences, including shuriken throwing and ninja costume rental.
Personally, nothing beats the feeling of soaking in the onsen before bed and first thing in the morning—it was the perfect way to unwind after exploring Iga! For dinner, I tried the Kenkou Gohan Teishoku (健康ご飯定食) for ¥1,700, and it was delicious. Breakfast was a generous buffet with a mix of both Japanese and Western options, making for a great start to the day.
For all the amenities it offers, I found the hotel to be great value for the money—a one-night stay for two people costs between ¥10,000 and ¥15,000, with breakfast included. Given the comfortable rooms, relaxing onsen, and convenient facilities, it’s a fantastic option for travelers looking for an affordable yet enjoyable stay in Iga. You can book a room on websites such as Agoda or Booking, or on the hotel website.
If you don't have a car, you can reach the hotel by bus in 20 to 30 minutes from Uenoshi station.
Looking for more accommodation options in Iga? If I were to stay again and try a new place, I’d recommend Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town, which offers guests the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the past by staying in restored traditional houses and former shops in the center of Iga.
To Conclude
Iga is a great destination for anyone interested in ninja history, scenic nature, and traditional Japanese culture. There is plenty to do, from exploring the Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum, strolling through Ueno Park, soaking in a local onsen, or hiking the Akame 48 Waterfalls.
I love discovering and sharing lesser-known destinations in Japan, and I hope this article has inspired you to add Iga to your Japan travel bucket list.
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