|
|
Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
|
|
|
|
Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
|
|
|
Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Shiga moments... Best ways to get there Shiga Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/Nightlife  Accommodation/Discounts
|
Iga Ueno Castle was initially built by Sadatsugu Tsutsui but was expanded and converted to its present form after
Takatora Todo succeeded Sadatsugu in 1611. Uncanny in his military prowess and political sense, Takatora sided with
Tokugawa Ieyasu at the decisive Battle of Sekigahara
in 1600 after serving the Toyotomi Hideyoshi shogunate. Takatora was also renowned as one of the finest castle architects
of his time. The castle is the centerpiece of Ueno City and is located in its main Park alongside
the Ninja Yashiki and Basho Memorial Museums.
The castle tower was reconstructed as a five story wooden building in 1935 embodying the essence of the Momoyama style
architecture of the late 16th century. With its elegant white walls, the castle is also known as the 'Hakuho' or 'white
phoenix' castle for its resemblance to the fabled sacred white bird resting in green leaves.
The walls surrounding the structure, at 30 meters tall, are said to be the highest
in Japan. The castle was used as a shooting location for Kagemusha, a film directed by Kurosawa Akira in the early 1980's.
The five story structure has an interior separated into three floors. Unlike many other castles in Japan,
the main entry hall is very open and spacious with a fairly good collection of ancient artifacts such as armour, taiko
drums, weapons, masks, scrolls, and palanquins.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Front view of Iga Ueno Castle wall | Side view of 30 meter Iga Ueno Castle wall | View Iga Ueno Castle and wall | Entrance to Iga Ueno Castle |
The second floor offers more of the same while the third floor has a great 360 degree view of Ueno city. The third floor also has a picture ceiling that exhibits 46 "shikishi" picture cards by renowned artists including Yokoyama Taikan, a leading artist of Japanese painting.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Military helmet, Iga Ueno Castle | Military armor, Iga Ueno Castle | Dolphin statue protecting Iga Ueno Castle | Ceiling on third floor, Iga Ueno Castle |
The castle is located in Ueno park along with the Ninja Yashiki Museum.
Ueno City is about 95 kilometers west of Nagoya and eighty kilometres east of Osaka. From the JR Nagoya or Osaka Station, take the JR Kansai Main Line to Iga Ueno Station and transfer to Kintetsu Iga Line to Uenoichi Station. It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes or 2 hours depending on timing and route.
Admission fee into the site is 500 yen for adults. A combined admission ticket (with a small discount) is available for Ueno Castle, Ninja Yashiki Museum, and the Danjiri Museum, all of which are within easy walking distance of each other.
Opening hours for Ueno Castle are from 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4.45pm). Please note that the castle is closed for New Year between December 29th and the 31st. However as this will sometimes vary from year to year it may be worth calling (in Japanese) to confirm: (0)595-21-3148
Tours - Japan Discovery visits the Iga Ueno Danjiri Musuem.
Click here for more information regarding when Discovery visits this destination.
Photographs and contributions
Do you have good photographs or a story to share about this destination? Please share it with us.
Bulletin Boards & Newsgroups
Fun/Clubs/nightlife
Accommodation/Discounts
fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ
Disclaimer and Request:
Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. This site is just a guide, and we advise that you always check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome. Please contact us.
|
www.yamasa.org content is created and maintained by
Declan Murphy and the students and
staff of the
Yamasa Institute's Multimedia Studio. This site is copyright Yamasa - All rights reserved.
C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S
