Transform into a Ninja and look around the city of Iga

Ueno Castle

Ninja Characters

The "Ninja Yashiki" looks like an ordinary farmer's house at a glance. Guide staff dressed in a Ninja costume will show you the secrets of the house such as the Revolving Walls or Trick Door.

At the "Ninja Experience Hall" and "Ninja Tradition Hall", gadgets and code texts which were used by Ninja are displayed. You can learn about the knowledge, workstyle, and history of Ninja.

* Panels are written in Japanese and English. (Some of them have Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean translations.)

Take the opportunity to try the Shuriken (throwing star) techniques, one of the typical Ninjutsu skills, here at the museum! Staff dressed up in Ninja will teach you the method. Feel free to try. The Shurikens are heavier than expected and you will find it hard to hit the target. If you think you're good with it, why not think of starting a new carrier as a Ninja?

* Shuriken experience: 200 yen per person with 5 Shurikens
* Services in simple English available

There is a show performed by authentic Ninjas, which is truly compelling. Details of the Ninjutsu are explained, and the Ninjas will perform using real gadgets such as the Shuriken, Katana (sword), and Fukiya (blow dart). A truly exciting show with various techniques that are all breathtakingly refined.

* Show ticket: 300 yen (400 yen from April 2016). It is separate from the museum admission fee.
* Part of the show can be observed in English and Chinese.

Feel the lively atmosphere of the festival in front of the wide screen which shows the Ueno Tenjin Matsuri Festival.

* Video is shown on screen every 15 and 45 minutes past every hour. (Approx. 10 minutes)

You can find several picture taking spots also around the Danjiri Museum. At the "Jibasan Kaimono-dokoro" souvenir shop beside the museum, a variety of Ninja goods, snacks and local Sake of Iga are available.

Kumihimo workshop

Iga boasts for producing the highest production volume of Kumihimo in Japan, which is a traditional craft. In the old days, the Kumihimo textile was used for strings and straps for scrolls and Kacchu armor. Today it is applied to the Obijime Kimono fastening band. Would like to make your own as a memory of your trip? Even beginners can complete a key-holder strap or a bracelet in around 20 minutes.

The workshop is offered at an elegant traditional shop which was established by Hirozawa Tokusaburo, the person who introduced the Kumihimo techniques to Iga.

* Hirozawa Tokusaburo Kobo, Kumihimo workshop: 1,000 yen. Advance reservation required.

Attractive town scape

A number of pleasant architecture remains in Iga, an area that prospered as a castle town of Ueno Castle, and the Shukuba-machi (posting station) along the Ise Kaido route. Walking around the traditional town will make your trip even more exciting. The temple town, where white walls continue to stand, is a perfect picture taking background for those disguised as Ninja.

It is also nice to stop by at some of the confectionery shops, the Katayaki Senbei (rice cracker) store, and art galleries.

Modern ceramic art, "Domi" an Iga-yaki pottery shop

Manufacture of the Iga-yaki (ceramic ware) using the rich local porcelain clay is famous. It features drastic warp, unique patterns, and vidro glaze.

The gallery here stands before a forest, very close from the Danjiri Museum. It exhibits and sells dishes, tea sets, flower basin and other products of the Iga-yaki pottery, mainly of the ceramic artist Tanimoto Yoh. The designs are sophisticated. Do not miss the opportunity to see them.

Having fun selecting souvenirs!

You will find Japanese confectionery shops and souvenir stores selling Ninja goods everywhere in town.

The Katayaki Senbei (rice crackers) and Ninja goods (toy Ninja sword and set, Shuriken-shaped magnet, and more) are especially recommended. Get some before leaving the town.

*Picture: (from left top) Ninjer-ale (ginger ale), Ninja Senbei (the Katayaki Senbei, which is a specialty of Iga), Mamesuke (Manjyu sweet buns sold at Kikyou-ya Orii), and Shurikens (rubber-made products are most popular).

Sukiyaki Kanaya

The "Iga beef", one of the branded Japanese beefs produced in the region is very popular.

Melting tenderness and the fine taste of Iga beef becomes even more delicious when eating it in Sukiyaki.

Various restaurants in the city offer Iga beef. If you have enough budget, we definitely recommend the traditional restaurant "Kanaya".

* Sukiyaki 7,722 yen, beef saute with butter 8,316 yen, grilled beef 8,316 yen, and etc.