Explore the Lush Nature and Historical Culture of Iga
Discover the infinite ways to enjoy Iga according to the style of travel that suits you best.
Located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago halfway between the Kinki and Chubu regions, the city of Iga is a crossroads where various cultures, information, and technology from the capital and shrines pass through, creating culture all its own. Blessed with an abundance of nature and water, the changing sceneries of Iga have produced specialty products packed with savory flavor as well as an expressive, cultured people. Experience a trip to Iga, a land where a dignified atmosphere and heartwarming sceneries of Japan can still be found.
As an important transit hub with roads connecting Kyoto, Yamato, and Ise, and as the headwaters of a tributary of the Yodo River, Iga was a place where information was gathered easily and thus was strongly influenced by the cultures of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, leading to the development of its own economy and culture.
About 4 million years ago, what we know today as Lake Biwa first took shape, and a basin surrounded by nature-rich mountains was formed through millennia of ongoing crustal movements. Visitors to Iga can enjoy a wide range of nature activities and mountain village sceneries throughout the year.
Something is lurking in the shadows of history. Iga is a sacred ground for ninjas, who existed during the Warring States Period (15th and 16th centuries) and whose mysterious existence still fascinates people to this day. Even today, you can still see traces of the ninja.
Here's a collection of classic travel styles to help you enjoy Iga to the fullest.
If you want to visit Iga but don’t know where to go first, try our Iga Quick & Easy Guide!
For those who are particular about traveling.
Discover sightseeing spots in Iga in four categories: Nature, History, Cuisine, and Activity.
With cars, motorcycles, and trains, there are many ways to get around Iga.
Learn about recommended spots in Iga according to the method of transportation.
Iga retains a vast natural world that changes appearance with the seasons.
Here's a collection of the highlights for each season.
Iga is home to a wide range of unique events.
Here is a collection of information on events for all twelve months of the year, from festivals to hands-on events.