'''Iga''' (____) [http://www.city.iga.lg.jp/ctg/00451/00451.html], also known as '''Iga-Ueno''' (________), is a city in Mie prefecture, Japan.

Understand

Iga — or, more specifically, the town of '''Ueno''' (____) within its borders — is best known as the birthplace of two famous people: haiku poet '''Matsuo Bash?''' (_____m__), the author of ''Narrow Road to the Deep North'', and ninja clan leader '''Hanz? Hattori''' (________), celebrated in fiction and found even in Quentin Tarantino's ''Kill Bill''.

Get in

Iga is about halfway between Osaka and Nagoya, and about an hour and a half from Kyoto. The main stations are '''Iga-Kanbe''' (_________w), on the Kintetsu Osaka Line, and '''Iga-Ueno''' (________), on the JR Kansai Main Line. The two stations are linked by the Kintetsu Iga Line, which takes you to '''Ueno-shi station''' (5 minutes, ¥220). The train windows may be adorned with solemn ninja pigs and triangular ninja heads, which can't help but stir up some excitement for what lies ahead.

Get around

The castle and museums are located in '''Ueno Park''', a short walk directly north of Kintetsu Ueno-shi station. There's a tourist information booth near the station; just look for the cartoon ninjas.

See

  • '''Iga Ninja Museum''' (9:00am-5:00pm, entry ¥700) [http://iganinja.jp/en/index.html] Ueno's top attraction by far, this old Japanese house was actually used by the Iga clan and is full of spiffy ninja secrets like trapdoors, revolving walls and more, all demonstrated by ''kunoichi'' - cheerful lady ninjas in pink garb. There is a museum on the grounds with good English displays, and there are also live demonstrations of ninja weaponry and techniques - hourly from 11 AM to 3 PM except Tuesdays (only weekends in Dec-Feb).
  • The '''Bash? Museum''' pays tribute to the haiku master Matsuo Bash?, who is thought to have been born in Iga. It's not often open, but the building itself, shaped like the hat Bash? wore, is a curious sight.
  • '''Ueno Castle''' (9:00am-5:00pm, closed December 29-31; admission ¥500) was a frequent target for ninja attacks in the old days. Resist the temptation to slip on a mask and go skulking around as if nobody can see you; the sleepy guard inside the castle doesn't need the hassle. It's one of the better-looking castle reconstructions in Japan, but the museum inside is not really worth a visit.
  • The '''Tenjin festival''' is held every year between October 23rd to 25th [http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/mie/ueno_danjiri.html]. Between the festivals the portable shrines are shown in the Danjiri Museum.
  • Do

    Buy

    Several small shops in Ueno Park sell amusing ninja souvenirs. If you're hoping for an authentic set of throwing stars or some Hanz? steel, though, you'll have to look elsewhere.

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    There are a few business hotels in town, but no youth hostels.

    Get out

  • You've learned about the Iga ninja; now head to Koka, in Shiga prefecture, to hear their rivals' side of the story.