Mie Ninja & Nature: Akame 48 Waterfalls, Iga Ueno & Suzuka Circuit

The Akame 48 Waterfalls, the ninja town of Iga Ueno and Suzuka Circuit show a completely different side of Mie Prefecture from Ise Grand Shrine: forested gorges, samurai-era history and Formula 1 racing. Western Mie sits between Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, so these spots are easier to reach than many travelers expect, and they rarely see the crowds of the big cities. Iga was home to one of Japan’s two great ninja schools, and the forests around Akame are where ninja are said to have trained. This guide covers the three highlights, how to get there by train, and where to stay in Iga Ueno.

1. Akame 48 Waterfalls

The Akame 48 Waterfalls, in Nabari on the border with Nara, are a string of falls and emerald pools along a mossy gorge, and the walking trail is one of the most beautiful forest hikes in the Kansai area. The trail runs about 3.3 kilometers one way past dozens of cascades, the most famous being the Fudo, Senju, Nunobiki, Ninaime and Biwa falls, and a round trip takes about three hours; you can turn back whenever you like, as the best-known falls come in the first half. Admission is 1,000 yen. The paths have steps, wooden walkways and some slippery rocks, so wear shoes with good grip. The area is also linked to ninja legends, and a ninja training forest near the entrance lets kids try simple skills. Autumn colors usually peak in November. Buses from Akameguchi Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line take about 10 minutes, followed by a short walk.

2. Iga Ueno: Ninja Museum and Iga Ueno Castle

Iga Ueno is the heart of Iga ninja country, and Ueno Park, on the hill in the center of town, holds its two main sights. The Iga-ryu Ninja Museum includes a farmhouse full of trick doors, hidden compartments and secret passages, demonstrated by guides in ninja costume, plus exhibits on real ninja tools and lively ninja shows (check the current schedule and prices on arrival). Next to it, Iga Ueno Castle, nicknamed Hakuho-jo or the White Phoenix Castle, is a 1935 wooden reconstruction famous for its stone walls of about 30 meters, among the highest in Japan; entry is 600 yen and it opens 9:00 to 17:00. Every spring, around early May, the town holds the Iga-Ueno Ninja Festa, when locals and visitors dress up as ninja. The town is also the birthplace of the haiku poet Matsuo Basho, with a small memorial hall in the park.

3. Suzuka Circuit

Suzuka Circuit, in northern Mie, is one of the world’s most famous racetracks and the home of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, which returns on April 9 to 11, 2027 as a sprint weekend. Its figure-eight layout, with a bridge where the track crosses itself, is loved by drivers and fans alike. Even outside race weekends, the circuit is worth a visit for its amusement park, Motopia, where kids and adults can drive small cars and motorbikes on mini racetracks, ride the Ferris wheel and take a track tour on some days. Admission and ride passes vary by date, so check the official site before you go. In spring, cherry trees bloom around the Ferris wheel. The circuit is reached by Kintetsu train to Shiroko Station and then a bus; on race weekends extra shuttles run, and accommodation in the area sells out months ahead.

Where to Stay Near Iga Ueno

Where to stay: Iga Ueno

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Iga Ueno is a convenient, quiet base for western Mie, with a castle town center that is lovely in the evening. From here, Akame is under an hour by train via Iga-Kambe, and Osaka and Nagoya are each about one and a half to two hours away. For a Suzuka race weekend, look at Yokkaichi, Tsu or Nagoya instead, which are much closer to the circuit.

Luxury

NIPPONIA HOTEL Igaueno Castle Town turns historic houses in the old castle town into an elegant boutique stay, with a French restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a sauna and stylish rooms. It is the most memorable way to experience Iga, especially if you enjoy traditional architecture.

Mid-Range

Route Inn Grantia Wakuranoyado Igauenojomae is a newer hotel near Iga Ueno Castle with a public bath and a restaurant serving local specialties. It is within easy reach of the ninja museum and the old town, and a solid choice for comfort at a fair price.

Budget-Friendly

Iga Ueno City Hotel is a simple, friendly hotel with comfortable rooms, a family-friendly restaurant and a small shop. Guests praise its location and staff, and free on-site parking helps if you are driving around western Mie.

Quick Tips for Visiting

• Start the Akame 48 Waterfalls trail in the morning so you have time to walk as far as you like and return before dusk.
• Wear shoes with good grip: the waterfall trail has steps, wet rocks and wooden walkways.
• Check ninja show times at the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum when you arrive, as shows run on a schedule.
• Note that the Iga Railway between Iga-Kambe and Iga Ueno is not covered by the JR Pass.
• For the F1 Japanese Grand Prix in April 2027, book tickets and hotels as early as possible.

Getting there by train: From Osaka-Namba or Osaka-Uehommachi, Kintetsu limited expresses reach Iga-Kambe in about 1 hour 5 minutes, and from Nagoya in about 1 hour 20 minutes; change there for the Iga Railway “ninja train” to Ueno-shi Station, about 25 minutes. Akameguchi Station is on the same Kintetsu line, one stop past Nabari toward Osaka. Suzuka Circuit is reached by Kintetsu from Nagoya to Shiroko, then a bus. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen to Nagoya or Osaka, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Akame 48 Waterfalls trail?

The trail is about 3.3 kilometers one way, and a round trip takes about three hours. Admission is 1,000 yen, and you can turn back at any point.

What is there to do in Iga Ueno?

Visit the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum with its trick house and ninja shows, see Iga Ueno Castle and its 30-meter stone walls, and stroll the old castle town.

When is the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka?

The next Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled for April 9 to 11, 2027, as a sprint weekend at Suzuka Circuit.

How do you get to Iga Ueno from Osaka?

Take a Kintetsu limited express to Iga-Kambe, about 1 hour 5 minutes, then the Iga Railway to Ueno-shi Station, about 25 minutes.