Ninjas are a mysterious presence that continues to fascinate people to this day. A secretive group whose main missions were intelligence and counter-intelligence, these ninjas lurked in the shadows to gather information on the enemy. Iga in particular was home to a superior form of Ninjutsu, and traces of the "Iga-mono" who worked in the shadows throughout the country can still be found in the area today. Here in Iga, the culture of the ninja, which is intertwined with the history of Japan, is still alive today. Experience the world of the Iga-ryu ninja for yourself.
The only museum in Japan dedicated to the ninja, this place boasts the world's largest collection of ninja artifacts. At Ninja House, an authentic earthen-walled mansion from the late Edo Period that has been relocated, a ninja will guide you through the various tricks and traps inside. The Ninjutsu Experience Hall and Ninja Lore Hall are also full of valuable ninja-related materials, and visitors can see genuine implements and materials that were used by ninjas. You can also enjoy a breathtaking performance by the Iga ninja group Ashura or try your hand at throwing stars.
This house, previously located in the southern part of Iga, has been renovated and relocated to its current site. It features a variety of tricks, including rotating wall panels used by ninjas to safeguard the information they had gathered and other items from enemies. Weekday guided tours by ninjas provide explanations and demonstrations of these intriguing devices, while on weekends and holidays, visitors can try hands-on experiences to learn about these tricks firsthand. Let's explore the secrets of this authentic ninja house!
Visitors can view implements used by ninjas, ninja gear, various techniques, and important documents. Learn how some ninja gear is used incorrectly today and other surprising facts about ninjas.
A ninjutsu demonstration show performed by the Iga ninja group Ashura, which performs not only in Japan but also abroad, showcases how ninjas used the implements on display in the museum. Come witness demonstrations with authentic ninja gear that only the "Sacred Land of the Ninja" can offer.
Don’t miss the thrilling ninja show and the world’s largest collection of ninja artifacts!
The Ninja House, relocated from a late-Edo period local warrior’s residence, is filled with hidden traps and trick doors. A real ninja will guide you through these clever "karakuri" mechanisms.
Explore the Ninja Experience Hall and the Ninja Tradition Hall, where you can see authentic ninja tools and historical materials that reveal the true life of the ninja.
You can also enjoy a high-energy ninja performance show by the professional ninja group Ashura (additional fee) and try your hand at shuriken throwing (additional fee).
Don’t forget to check out the wide range of original ninja merchandise available at the gift shop.
Adress | 117 Uenomarunouchi,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-23-0311 HP:http://www.iganinja.jp |
Learn self-sufficiency through a farmstay hosted by someone with a Master's degree in Ninjutsu studies from Mie University, as well as various other experiences useful in modern times, such as disaster preparedness techniques learned from Ninjutsu in the adjacent dojo.
Nindo is a form of Ninjutsu systemized by the Japan Ninja Council, an official ninja organization. Here, you can experience the ninja training of the olden days updated for modern times. There's a practice space for throwing stars and opportunities to experience authentic Ninjutsu training of the Iga ninja in the ruins of a medieval castle! Learn the Ninjitsu basics of "hiding, completing your mission, and returning alive no matter what", which come before the martial art itself, at this ninja village.
Prior to the Edo Period, ninjas engaged in agriculture work during the daytime and did training and ninja work at night. Here, you can experience the real life of a ninja. The meals include home-grown organic Kinuhikari rice cooked in earthenware pots made by the Iga Ware kiln Nagatanien.
Adress | 666-4 Ishikawa,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-51-0513 HP:https://ubusuna-ninja.jp/ |
This long-established teahouse in the castle town serves aromatic Iga tea as well as superb green tea and hojicha (roasted green tea) soft-serve ice cream and is also packed full of ninja-related merchandise.
This tea shop has a long history of selling Iga tea and is also famous for the fact that the predecessor studied under the last Iga-ryu ninja and even opened a ninja school. There's even a ninja area inside, which gives the shop its own unique charm.
This cat usually spends its time relaxing in the store, but at the customer's request, it will change into a ninja costume.
This cat also poses for commemorative photos.
Adress | 3130 Uenokodamacho,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | Toll Free:0120-21-1173 HP:https://www.instagram.com/muraibankouen/ |
This traditional Japanese restaurant is run by the descendant of the Fujibayashi family, one of the three great Iga Jonin (ninja masters) who compiled the ancient ninja text Bansenshukai. At the end of your meal, you will be offered Hyorogan, the food that ninjas used as portable meals!
Since ancient times, ninjas have used a wide range of implements and ingenuity to accomplish their missions. Examples of this include the famous throwing stars as well as rotating wall panels, and here you can see this ninja wisdom brought back to life. These will be introduced to you after dinner so you have something to look forward to!
Adress | 2352 Nishiyubune,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-43-1089 HP:https://www.fujiissui.com/ |
Iga's Ichinomiya Shrine (the heighest ranking shrine in the province) flourished in the Edo Period as the guardian deity of the “Devil’s Gate” (the northeast gate of the castle, believed to be an unlucky direction) to Iga-Ueno Castle. It is the head shrine of the Hattori family and also has deep connections to the family, and is the site where the Kurondo Festival, a festival dedicated to Ninjutsu and other martial arts, is held.
The Shishi Kagura (Lion Dance) is a performance dedicated to the gods featuring a lion that wards off evil. One of the songs performed, a dance known as the Hanadaka, features a goblin known as a tengu that tries to wake a sleeping lion, drawing laughter from the audience.
Adress | 877 Ichinomiya,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-23-3061 HP:http://www.aekuni.jp/ |
This is the shrine of the Fujibayashi family, who compiled the ninja text Bansenshukai, and its main hall is home to a famously large bell cord, the heaviest in Japan at 2 tons.
The Fujibayashi family was skilled in the use of gunpowder and artillery and offered fireworks to the Tejikara Shrine, which still hosts fireworks shows in mid-October, the latest of the fireworks displays held in Iga.
In the center of the worship hall are the bells of hundreds of thousands of people who have prayed here, hung from the bell cord to convey them to the gods. The bell cord is 4 meters in circumference, 3 meters high, and weighs 2 tons, making it both the oldest and the thickest prayer cord in Japan.
The shrine has long been revered as Tejikara-san of Yubune, a shrine of great spiritual value, which enshrines the god of hands and strength as well as the god of longevity. Today, it is also known for its blessings for higher education, matchmaking, and traffic safety.
This small shrine is closely connected to Fujibayashi Nagatonokami, a legendary ninja master of the Fujibayashi clan.
It features what is said to be the heaviest suzu-no-o (shrine bell rope) in Japan.
The Fujibayashi clan was known for their mastery of fire-based ninja techniques, and the shrine has a tradition of offering fire as part of its rituals.
Even today, it hosts the latest fireworks festival of the year in Iga, originally handcrafted by local parishioners (ujiko).
Within the shrine grounds, you'll also find a stone lantern believed to have been donated by the fourth-generation descendant, Fujibayashi Masanao.
Adress | 1025 Higashiyubune,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | - |
Tokugawa Ieyasu is said to have traversed this mountain pass on his way back to Mikawa after the Honnoji Incident. It has appeared in numerous novels and movies.
From November to January, the coldest months of the year, a sea of clouds enshrouds the mountains. The mountains are tinged red with the changing autumn leaves, which, when combined with the clouds below, creates a world of fantasy. The observation deck is a scenic location from which you can see the expansive beauty of the basin, and you can see the cityscape of Iga as well as the mountains of Nara Kongo.
From this scenic mountain pass, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Iga Basin.
Gozai Pass is well known as the setting for many historical novels and is famously linked to a dramatic event in Japanese history.
After the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582, it is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu fled through this very pass—guided and protected by Iga ninja—as he narrowly escaped with his life.
(Some theories suggest he took the route via Marubashira instead.)
This historic site has been featured in various films and documentaries, including “Castle of Owls” (Fukurō no Shiro) and “Sakai-ke no Shiawase”.
Adress | Nishiyama,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-26-7788 |
A unique ninja shop in Iga-Ueno, home of the ninja. The shop is filled with ninja costumes, ninja goods, ninja T-shirts, and other items, most of which are original and unique to the Iga-ryu Ninja Store.
From ninja costumes, throwing stars, and swords to stationery and knick-knacks, you can find all sorts of ninja-related items here! The shop also does business with companies in the film industry, so the product lineup has things suited for everyone from beginners to enthusiasts.
Adress | 1938 Uenoatagomachi,Iga City,Mie |
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Contact | TEL:(+81)595-21-0792 HP:https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/ninja/lp.html |