61-2 Uenomarumouchi, Iga, Mie Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
Free
Located in front of Ueno-shi Station in Iga, Mie Prefecture, the bronze statues of Tetsuro Hoshino and Maetel from the popular anime series "Galaxy Express 999" welcome visitors. These statues commemorate the series' creator, Leiji Matsumoto, who designed the ninja-themed train cars for the Iga Railway. Though some find the connection between the anime and the city unexpected, it offers a unique photo opportunity for fans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the statues were even seen wearing face masks. The statues are located in the rotary in front of the station, but can be surprisingly easy to miss due to their size and placement. A board with Matsumoto's signature is installed next to the statues.