Iga Ueno Castle

Todo Takatora's main keep was never finished, so this is a mock reconstruction. Nevertheless, I appreciate the attempt at a wooden reconstruction (as opposed to another concrete monstrosity) and the museum houses some good exhibits. I was very disappointed in the state of the huge stone walls. They

History

Takigawa Katsutoshi started construction of Iga Ueno Castle in 1585. He was followed by Tsutsui Sadatsugu who built the honmaru and three level main keep. After the Battle of Sekigahara (1608), Sadatsugu's lands were confiscated by the Tokugawa and given to Todo Takatora. Todo Takatora initiated a great renovation of the castle to fortify the defenses against a resurgance of Toyotomi's followers. The new design created a new honmaru, the huge stone walls and completely engulfed the original castle. After the destruction of the Toyotomi, however, the renovation plans were mostly abandoned and the main keep, which was destroyed by high winds, was never rebuilt.

Field Notes

Todo Takatora's main keep was never finished, so this is a mock reconstruction. Nevertheless, I appreciate the attempt at a wooden reconstruction (as opposed to another concrete monstrosity) and the museum houses some good exhibits. I was very disappointed in the state of the huge stone walls. They are filled with weeds and trees both in the middle of the wall and along the top. Some places look like they could start to crumble at any moment and one section along the top was off limits for exactly that reason. As you walk around the moat level to see the stone walls, the weeds and trees are so thick that it was very difficult to get good views much less good pictures. Some of the tallest stone walls in Japan should be kept in better condition. The grounds also have a ninja museum and show for those ninja fans out there. I didn't have time to visit on this trip but maybe next time.

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Gallery

main keep
main keep
main keep
Entrance to the main keep
gate and smaller keep
First floor of the main keep
3rd floor of the main keep
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls from above
Looking down from atop the stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Daidokoro Gate ruins
Daidokoro Gate stone walls
Stone walls of the original honmaru
Main entrance to the original honmaru and lord's palace
Lord's palace grounds
Original Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls between the honmaru and ninomaru
Honmaru stone walls between the honmaru and ninomaru
View from the top of the main keep
Map
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Castle Profile
English Name	Iga Ueno Castle
Japanese Name	伊賀上野城
Alternate Names	Ueno-jo, Hakuho-jo
Founder	Takigawa Katsutoshi
Year Founded	1585
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Top 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	3 levels, 3 stories
Year Reconstructed	1935 (wood)
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, samurai homes, stone walls, walls, castle town
Visitor Information
Access	Uenoshi Sta. (Kintetsu Iga Line); 10 min walk
Hours	open 9am to 5pm; closed Dec 29-31. 500 yen for the main keep museum.
Time Required	60 mins, more if you visit the ninja museum
URL	Castle Website
Location	Iga, Mie Prefecture
Coordinates	34.77013, 136.1271
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2007
Contributor	Frank T.
Admin Year Visited	2012
Admin Visits	Oct 8, 2012

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