Iga, Mie


Iga is a city located in central Kii Peninsula, in the mountainous western Mie Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2012, the city has an estimated population of 95,137.

Neighboring municipalities

Iga has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from June to September.

History

The area around the modern city of Iga corresponds to a portion of ancient Iga Province. The area was noted in the Sengoku period as one of the centers for ninjutsu. The town developed in the Edo period under the Tokugawa Shogunate as a castle town under Iga Ueno Castle. Iga is known as the birthplace of the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō and the home of the ninja Hattori Hanzō.
Iga is also known as a center for Kumihimo, a traditional braiding art, with several artisans still in activity.
The city of Ueno was founded on September 10, 1941. It was renamed Iga on November 1, 2004 following a merger with the towns of Iga and Ayama, the villages of Shimagahara and Ōyamada ; and the town of Aoyama.

Transportation

Railway

International schools:
Two of Iga's main tourist attractions are the Iga Ueno Castle and the Iga-ryū Ninja Museum. There is also an annual Iga Ueno Ninja Festa ninja festival.
Other not so well known attractions include: