From the Asuka Period (late 6th to early 8th century) to the Edo Period (1603-1868), ninjas are said to have been used to infiltrate the enemy to spy on and trick them. “Iga-ryu” is the general term given to the school of ninjutsu (ninja skills in secrecy, stealth, and unconventional combat) brought to Iga Province, and is said to have originated in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). Along with the Koka-ryu of Koka, Shiga Prefecture, which is just over the mountain from Iga, Iga-ryu is a ninjutsu school renowned throughout Japan.
Iga-ryu ninjas were considered particularly adept at kajutsu (firearm skills) using gunpowder balls, etc. and magic techniques such as kuji-kiri (hand-gesture incantations), which use 9 hand signs, and incantations with 9 characters (letters). These ninjutsu skills are said to have been described in a book in the Edo Period, which has been handed down the generations and survives to this day, kept by a long-standing family in Iga. There are numerous places related to ninja culture in Iga, the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum for example, so visitors can learn about and experience ninja culture first hand. We welcome you to get in touch with the living history and culture of Iga through ninja culture.

The museum is a reconstruction of the Dogo Yashiki (local clan’s residence), said to have been built in the late Edo Period (1603-1868). Located in various parts of the house are trick mechanisms, including dondengaeshi (revolving door), nukemichi (escape), and kakushido (hidden door). A kunoichi (female ninja) will guide you around the house demonstrating them as you go. Enjoy watching the ninja show and trying your hand at shuriken (ninja star) throwing.

Standing in the heart of Iga is Iga Ueno Castle, a symbol of the city. After his transfer to Iga, Sadatsugu Tsutsui received orders from Hideyoshi Toyotomi to commence construction of a castle that was the initial incarnation of Iga Ueno Castle in 1585. He built a three-storied castle tower, the same as the current construction, and the foundations of the castle town.
After the start of the Edo period, Takatora Todo, a closely trusted vassal to Ieyasu Tokugawa became the daimyo (feudal lord), took over command of the castle, and began major repairs. Originally intended for use in the decisive Osaka-Toyotomi battle, the castle had 10 turrets, and the plan was to build a five-storied tower, which was destroyed by a violent storm while still under construction. The surviving high stone walls convey the scale of the former castle. Traces of the castle town remain in Iga, so visitors will get a sense of the history that unfolded with the castle.

The castle was built in the early Edo period by Takatora Todo, an expert in castle construction. The present-day castle tower was built in 1935 and is known as White Phoenix Castle for its white walls and elegantly shaped roofs. On display inside the castle are arms, armor, and artifacts associated with the Todo clan, and the top story offers sweeping views of the castle town. The castle also boasts some of the highest stone walls in Japan. At about 30 meters, they are quite a spectacle.

Iga kumihimo (braiding), a traditional handicraft of Iga, has been used since olden times for traditional Japanese accessories such as the obijime (a decorative string for holding a kimono sash in place). Its history is said to trace back to before the Nara period (710-794), but it began to flourish as a local Iga industry around the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912). It is said that kumihimo survived as a cultural practice in Edo (former Tokyo), the technique was brought back to Iga, and it grew from then on.
Iga kumihimo is particularly well known as a form of “tekumihomo” (hand braiding), or braiding by hand, and boasts 90% of the share across all of Japan. Using braiding threads of beautifully dyed silk or gold and silver, tekumihimo is very fine braiding using a traditional kumidai (braiding stand) such as a marudai (round stand), giving it a very distinctive, unique feel and appearance. Visitors are welcome to discover this fascinating craft and can try making kumihimo at Iga Dento Densho-kan – Iga Kumihimo – Kumi no Sato (Iga Tradition and Folklore Museum – Iga Kumihimo – Kumi no Sato).