Ninjas were secret agents in pre-modern Japan, at the time when the country was ruled by samurai, but they were said to disappear with the Tokugawa shogunate when in ended.
However, ninjas are still popular as part of traditional Japanese culture, and there are many ninja-themed amusement facilities and restaurants around Japan.
This article introduces 6 recommended places where you can meet or see “modern” ninjas. Consider adding one or two to your to-go list for your next trip to Japan, and you’ll surely have a great experience and “insta-worthy” photos!
See also: The Truth About Ninja In Japan
Contents
Facilities and Amusement Parks to Meet Ninjas
Here are 5 famous places in Japan where you can watch a ninja show or transform yourself into a ninja for a while.
“Iga-ryu Ninja Museum” (Mie)
Hanzo Hattori served the Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan during the Edo period for about 265 years. He was the most famous ninja in Japanese history, and Hanzo was the chieftain of the Iga-ryu ninjas, who were based in Mie.
The Iga-ryu Ninja Museum was originally the Iga Ninja House, which opened in 1906, and was renovated as the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum in 1998, as the only museum in Japan dedicated to the ninja. Visitors can not only learn about ninja history from a lot of amazing exhibitions, but also will be entertained by using some of the tools themselves and watching an exciting ninja show.
Iga-ryu Ninja House
Explore the house (which is a replica) where ninja and kunoichi (female ninja) used to live, and see moving walls, hidden stairs, and trapdoors. Audio guidance is available in English and Chinese in the facility, too.
Ninja Show
Enjoy a powerful, skillful performance of “modern” ninjas with shuriken, gunpowder, and other traditional tools used during the Sengoku period.
Shuriken Experience
Try and throw some metal shuriken, the real ones. See if you can find your hidden talent as a ninja.
Ninja Museum
You can see replicas of ninja weapons and tools including shuriken. Explanation at the exhibition is given in both English and Japanese.
For more information, go visit their website.
Official site: Ninja Museum of Igaryu
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura (Hokkaido)
The culture park in Hokkaido completely recreates the streets and residents of the Edo period.
Attractive facilities like merchant houses line the streets, and magnificent samurai residences, along with a ninja house full of clever tricks are built on the vast site.
In addition to ninjas, Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura offers moving attractions and performances that allow visitors to experience the culture of the Edo period, such as oiran (courtesans) and samurai, and you will never get bored even if you spend the whole day there.
Utsuroi-kan: Transform into Ninja
At the Utsuroikan, both children and adults can transform into ninjas. After pretend transforming into a ninja, you are free to walk around the village wearing the costume all day long.
Kasumi Ninja: Ninja Show
In the ninja house full of clever mechanisms, you can witness a heated battle between ninjas.
Taiken–Dojo: Ninja Training Experience
You can try out shuriken throwing and Japanese archery and experience basic training to polish your ninja skills here.
For more information, go visit their website.
Official site: Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura
Tokyo Hinode Bukeyashiki (Tokyo)
Located in west Tokyo (just 1 hour from the hub city Shinjuku by train) is an old private house built in 1881 by a wealthy local family. In addition to the ninja experience here, you can stay overnight, experience a Japanese tea ceremony, take cosplay photos, and much more. Being in a real old house will make you feel like you are stepping back in time.
Ninja Dojo
Wearing a ninja costume, you can learn about ninja history and how they are trained to use Japanese swords and throw shuriken with replica tools in the facility.
For more information, go visit their website
Official site: Tokyo Hinode Bukeyashiki
Edo Wonderland – Nikko Edo-mura (Tochigi)
Located in Nikko, the city known for Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Ieyasu Tokugawa (the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate) the facility offers the beauty, culture, and unique features of the Edo period including a ninja experience for kids as the most popular activity.
Ninja Experience for Children
Children can participate in authentic ninja training including shuriken throwing, concealment, and running techniques.
Ninja Karasu Goten: Ninja Show
A breathtaking battle between ninjas is the most popular among a variety of plays available to watch in the facility.
Shuriken Dojo /Yaba: Ninja tools experience
Adults and kids can learn the method of throwing shuriken and Japanese archery at each a professional dojo for each. If you get the hang of it, you may become a master.
Karakuri Ninja Maze
Explore a huge maze in a ninja house full of ninja tricks, such as secret doors and moving panels.
For more information, please visit the following website.
Official site: Edo Wonderland
Chibikko Ninja Village (Nagano)
Designed for kids and families, the small theme park located near the legendary home of the Togakure Ninja School, consists of many ninja-related attractions.
3 Ninja Athletic Fields
In these fields, you will find 3 different courses: “Kakure Toride (Hidden Fortress),” “Shinobi Toride (Ninja Fortress),” and “Shugyo no Mori (Training Forests). Conquer the hanging bridges, tree climbing, and obstacles made of ropes, nets, and logs.
Ninja Costumes
Before the training in the athletic field, make sure to change your clothes to a ninja uniform available at the facility.
Ninja Show
An exciting show by Togakure ninja will motivate you train even harder.
For more information, please visit the following website:
Official site: Chibikko Ninja Village (Japanese Only)
Steakhouse to Meet Ninjas in Japan
Though Ninjas were secret agents once, now some of them are found at restaurants working as waiters (sometimes disguised, sometimes not). Meeting ninjas and enjoying a meal at the same time can be one of the highlights of your trip to Japan.
NINJA TOKYO (Tokyo)
It has been a famous ninja steakhouse for 20 years, and NINJA TOKYO offers a special course menu, some items of which feature historical ninja’s names. The “modern” ninjas working in the restaurant will demonstrate some ninjutsu at your table, too.
For more information, please visit the following website.
Official site: NINJA TOKYO
Summary
In Japan, there are many theme parks and restaurants where you can meet “modern” ninjas. You can enjoy Japanese culture by meeting a ninja or even transforming into one yourself.
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