Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town

The Hometown of Ninja Weaves Together Poetry, History, and Luxury

Concept

Ninja legends have fueled the imagination of the world for centuries. But there is truth and real history behind these tales about the famous Japanese assassins, who during Japan’s feudal era, were trained in Iga (now called Iga Ueno) in what is today Mie Prefecture. The city keeps the story of the ninja alive, but just like the black-clad warriors themselves, there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Iga Ueno is a place rich in nature and history (without the blood stains!) with the Iga Ueno Castle and its surrounding castle town at the center. The creation of Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town is VMG’s way of bequeathing this piece of Japanese heritage to future generations.

Built on the concept of an entire town as a hotel, Mie’s Nipponia created luxury accommodations from several renovated tangible cultural properties and buildings of historical importance. This town-hotel is intended to serve as a base for exploring the lyrical beauty of Iga Ueno.

Discover Iga Ueno

In a time of powerful warlords vying for control of a fractured Japan, Iga Province (so called at the time) defied some of Japan’s greatest military leaders to create an autonomous republic of ninja families. With time, Iga Province passed into history, but its name and traditions were not forgotten. Reborn in the nineteenth century as Iga Town, it later grew and merged with Ueno, becoming Iga Ueno, a place where the story of the ninja lives on. However, it’s also a place of scenic nature. Surrounded by mountains, Iga Ueno has a deep, primeval tranquillity, which has nurtured its traditional pottery, the art of braided cords, and the imagination of Matsuo Basho, one of Japan’s greatest poets and Iga’s native son.

Expand Your Itinerary

Iga Ueno’s central location, which once made it a target of military action, today makes it a great base for exploring the wonders of central Japan. Iga offers easy access to not only Nara and Kyoto, two of Japan’s ancient capitals, but also Osaka with its electric nightlife and Kobe with its scenic views and world-famous Kobe beef. But if you can take only one side trip from Iga Ueno, it really must be to the Ise Grand Shrine, considered one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan. Venerating the sun goddess Amaterasu, the Ise Shrine dates back over 2,000 years, but it does not show its age, because its buildings are taken down and rebuilt every twenty years to represent the Shinto idea of eternity through constant rebirth and renewal.

Our Story

Originally constructed in the late 1500s, the modern-day Iga Ueno Castle is a reconstruction from 1935, when the original burned down. But thanks to extensive architectural records and a decision to use only wood instead of modern building materials, the castle has risen from the ashes as a spectacular, historically faithful replica, making its nickname White Phoenix Castle all the more apt. The castle town that grew up around the stronghold claims a longer history, having been preserved in its original state for more than 150 years. Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town, which opened in 2020, is privileged to give these historic buildings a new purpose as luxury accommodations for visitors to this enchanting corner of Mie.

Tangible History

KANMURI: Housing the hotel’s front desk, restaurant, and guestrooms, the KANMURI building was an herbal-medicine wholesaler in the Edo period (1603–1867). It later served as a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and a place of learning. Now a Registered National Cultural Asset, it delights guests with its accommodations featuring elaborate traditional furnishings and, in some cases, even tea rooms.

KOURAI: A spacious guesthouse large enough to accommodate several families, KOURAI overlooks the beginning of the Iga Kaido, a road that once connected Ueno with the Ise Shrine. The street side of KOURAI is now used as a kumihimo (braided cord) store and workshop, while in the back there is a calm courtyard where guests can relax.

MITAKE: A former lumber store built during the Meiji period (1868–1912), the MITAKE guesthouse has an exterior of plaster-covered mushiko-mado (latticed windows), while the interior features exposed wooden beams and a box staircase, all popular elements of Japanese architecture from the late Edo and early Meiji periods.

Rooms

The Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town is a luxury boutique hotel with only ten rooms in renovated historical buildings in the city’s castle town, each one telling its own story. You can feel the rich history in every detail of the quietly elegant accommodations, from their intricate latticework to the warmth of natural wood used extensively throughout the guestrooms. The hotel retains much of its original charm while providing many modern amenities, including beds with Simmons mattresses. Enjoy these luxurious spaces and experience the timelessness of tradition interwoven with contemporary comforts.

Restaurants & Dining

Le Un: Blessed with mild weather and clear waters, Iga Ueno boasts a rich culinary culture that includes such standouts as Iga beef, which is on par with some of the most famous Wagyu anywhere, and local rice, which is near the top in taste rankings. The area is also known for its sake, which was selected for the toast at the 42nd G7 summit in Ise-Shima. The Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town’s Le Un restaurant values this culinary heritage and offers cuisine in a genre all its own, bringing out the full, natural flavors of local Iga ingredients so special that we call them Igamono (products of Iga).

This bounty is prepared with French techniques by a master chef who knows well how to blur the lines between culinary worlds to create one-of-a-kind dishes you won’t find outside the hotel.

Capacity: 64
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (L.O. 2:00 p.m.)
Dinner: 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (L.O. 8:00 p.m.)

Cultural Experiences

Ninja Rickshaw: A special experience for hotel guests only, Ninja Rickshaw is your own personal concierge to the Iga Ueno castle town. You and a companion will be taken in a rickshaw around the historic area by a guide who knows the city and its secrets inside and out, giving you a glimpse into the hidden history of the ninja’s homeland. The tour takes fifty minutes.

Iga Ninja Experience: Dress like a ninja and receive ninjutsu training in the art of the shuriken and more at one of five dojos operating in the Iga Ueno castle town. At the end of it, you’ll be certified as an Iga ninja and receive a gift if you also manage to solve a tricky ninja riddle. Both adults and children are welcome!

Iga Kumihimo-Making Experience: Kumihimo (braided cords) were once indispensable in Japanese fashion and samurai attire. The kumihimo of Iga is the most popular, and our guests can make it themselves during a workshop right where the traditional craft was born.

Our Difference

After checking in at the front desk, you will be taken on a tour of the town on the way to your room, enjoying breathtaking sights that you might miss at a regular hotel. At Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town, we want you to feel one with your surroundings, which is why we encourage strolls through the area to explore the history there. Find your own special spot where you can clear your mind and listen to the whispers of nature, not unlike those heard by Matsuo Basho (1644-94) all those centuries ago. To deepen your connection with Iga, carefully selected art pieces by artists active in the region are on display in the hotel, creating a space that exemplifies the unique culture of Iga Ueno.

Welcome

Our mission is to present our guests with the gift of time. Time that flows endlessly through the nature and culture of Japan. Time set aside to make lifelong memories with your loved ones. Time that you will one day reflect back on with a smile. We strive to give you these experiences through the art of Japanese hospitality, the distinctiveness of accommodations that tell rich stories from Japan’s great past, and the breaking of language barriers by our English-speaking staff. We hope to see you soon.

Reserve:here

Number of rooms: 10
Capacity: 1–2 guests per room (KOURAI Building: up to 6 guests)
Check-in: 3:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Checkout: until noon
Languages: Japanese & English
Tel: +81 (0)120-210-289