The Mie Prefecture city of Iga, the origin of one of Japan's most famous ninja clans, plans to open the growing number of vacant homes in its castle town to tourists.

Under the "castle town hotel" project, the Iga Municipal Government will renovate traditional Japanese homes — some built in the Edo Period — in the district south of Ueno Castle. The idea is to appeal to foreign tourists by offering the experience of staying in a castle town.

"We hope to make use of historically valuable buildings and curb the decline of the city center," an Iga official said.