Iga Ueno / Ninja Museum Worth It?

As a fan of the ninja, just wondering if a day trip from Kyoto to Iga Ueno and the ninja museum there is worth a visit?

Thank you.

When I went to Japan in May, I made castles my focus. When I got off the train at Ueno, I was "followed" by some ninja, which was kind of fun. Made it to the castle but I was not that impressed by it. It's very small. I got some photos, but I can honestly say that I don't even remember what I saw inside of it. I think I just walked through it and came out and left.

Sorry, but I didn't check out the museum, but I actually wanted to.

Especially to a ninja fan, this can be a very enjoyable daytrip. The castle is a rare post-war reconstruction built with wood (instead of concrete). So, it feels like an "original" castle. I found it quite nice. Just with most castles, there is not much inside the castle itself.

But the Ninja Museum is the main attraction, and very enjoyable. make sure to watch the show.

How to get there:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4353.html

. . . there aren't that many Ninja museums around (I think there's another one in Kyushu or somewhere), I think it's worth your time. I'm not into Ninjas and I found the museum very interesting because there is substantial English translation for all the exhibits.

If you ever visit Kanazawa, you should also take in the Ninja temple there.

I thought the museum was really interesting
When you are there do try the Tengaku! it's a local speciality there.

I had a free volunteer guide while i was there the SGG IGA guides.
It was really nice as the guide brought use to many hidden gems :)

I think they are often misnamed. Fascinating constructions, but f they were known in English as Forts it would make more sense. 'Castle' raises expectations of opulent interiors.

For the most part they were not even residences, certainly not by the daimyo ranks.

Which clan ruled Iga Ueno, by the way? A branch of the Ii, of Hikone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todo_Takatora

Tsu castle is their residence in peace, and Ueno castle is their fort in the wartime.

Quick answer! Thank you!

There is a ninja house in Kyoto so you don't even have to leave. Not sure how it compares to Iga Ueno and I think it is aimed at Japanese because the tour is completely in Japanese and you need to make a booking. There is information about it in the Japan Lonely Planet guide. I am currently trying to decide whether to go to the one in Kyoto or Iga Ueno myself.

There's not a wealth of things to see, but it's a nice day trip from Nara or Kyoto. There's not much else to do in Iga Ueno other than the castle, the ninja museum, and lunch, but the museum is great (a good show, and quite a few exhibits with a fair bit of info in English), and the train trip there takes you through some lovely countryside (even though the trains are slow, local services). If you've got day to spare, and you're a ninja fan, then I'd say: "Give it a go"

I practice Ninpo and made a 6,000 mile trip to Iga Ueno, it was a trip of a lifetime and i enjoyed every minute, its what it means to you, i stayed in Kyoto, what a great City, lots of nice memories, you should do it.

Calling Japanese castles a castle isn't a misnomer at all. In Western Europe there are 2 types of castles: fortified ones built during the wars of the Middle Ages, and leisure castles built after those turbulent times. Although there specialists use names indicating what type there are, they --in France foe example--are all called a Chateau (plural chateaux), as their name,on signposts and on maps.French Chateaux built for pleasure in peace time are definitely not all opulent. Many don't have gilded furniture and ornaments (I had several clients in France who lived in 400 years old castles and have visited many many castles)