Myoryuji Ninja Temple
Explore a historic Buddhist temple with hidden rooms, secret passages, and ingenious traps designed for defense.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more intimate tour
Myoryuji Ninja Temple
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more intimate tour
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a historic Buddhist temple with hidden rooms, secret passages, and ingenious traps designed for defense.
"A maze inside with many secret passages and traps meant to confuse enemies."
📞 Book by Phone
Call ahead to reserve your spot; hotels can often assist with reservations.
👟 Shoe Removal Required
Be prepared to take off your shoes before entering the temple.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hidden Passageways
Throughout the temple
Discover secret doors, trapdoors, and hidden rooms designed for defense.
Defensive Traps
Various rooms
Witness ingenious architectural traps meant to confuse and deter enemies.
Samurai Era Architecture
Entire temple complex
Experience the intricate design and historical significance of this 400-year-old structure.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Ninja Secrets
Prepare for a Unique Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📞 Book by Phone
Call ahead to reserve your spot; hotels can often assist with reservations.
👟 Shoe Removal Required
Be prepared to take off your shoes before entering the temple.
Myoryuji temple Kanazawa - has anyone been and has insight?
🎒 Bag Placement
Wear backpacks and large bags in front of your body for safety.
📸 No Photos Allowed
Strictly no photography or video recording inside the temple.
My fifteen-day itinerary for Japan this fall is finally done. I feel like I just gave birth.
Tips
from all over the internet
📞 Book by Phone
Call ahead to reserve your spot; hotels can often assist with reservations.
👟 Shoe Removal Required
Be prepared to take off your shoes before entering the temple.
🎒 Bag Placement
Wear backpacks and large bags in front of your body for safety.
📸 No Photos Allowed
Strictly no photography or video recording inside the temple.
📚 English Guidebook
Follow along with an English guidebook during the Japanese-language tour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Myoryuji Ninja Temple for its unique and intricate design, filled with hidden passages and defensive traps that offer a glimpse into Japan's feudal past. The immersive experience, despite the language barrier, is highly recommended for its historical and architectural ingenuity. However, the strict no-photography rule and physical demands of the tour are noted drawbacks for some.
"I arrived without a reservation. They guide me towards an intercom and after some conversation, I got to join the tour group. The temple was simply amazing. Many trapdoors, hidden stairs and secret rooms. I highly recommend!"
Nicha Hirankarn
"Experienced this landmark as part of a cruise tour. A few things to know before you go. First, shoes are not allowed within the temple. They are to be left outside on a shoe rack. Second, backpacks and other large bags must be placed in front of your body. Third, no video or photos aside. Fourth, the temple is dimly lit in spots and has steep stairs that are the only means forward, so not the most handicap friendly. Fifth, toddler age children are not allowed in the temple. Finally, the tour is exclusively in Japanese. It is conducted by a volunteer on the temple grounds. Non Japanese speakers are given a guide book in English to follow along while walking through the temple. The experience starts with being seated until the guide is ready to take you. From there, you are given the 40min tour of the entire temple. What I appreciated most was the complexity of the architecture, from carefully crafted hidden entrances and traps to the foundation support and curved wooden beams allowing this landmark to survive for about 400 years of wind and snow. What did detract from the experience was the lack of a guided tour in another language. Not necessarily a fault of the temple, but it leaves you to your imagination that would otherwise be provided by the guide's comments if you spoke Japanese"
Kristopher Murray
"Very interesting and historic place with many architectural designs as traps for defense. It brings us travel the time of Samurai and Nija around 400 years.
Worth to visit: 5.0
Beater to make a reservation by call"
Midoba
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Myoryuji Ninja Temple, also known as Ninjadera, is located in Kanazawa, Japan. It's accessible by local bus services from Kanazawa Station. Look for buses heading towards the temple area, and be prepared for a short walk from the bus stop.
While the temple itself is a unique attraction, navigating to it might require a map or GPS. It's recommended to have the address handy or use a navigation app to ensure you reach the correct entrance.
Public transport, specifically buses, is the most common and convenient way to reach Myoryuji Ninja Temple from central Kanazawa. Taxis are also an option but will be more expensive.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended, and often necessary, as tours fill up quickly. You can typically book by phone. Some visitors have managed to join tours without reservations by arriving early and inquiring. +1
The temple operates specific tour times. It's best to check their official website or call for the most up-to-date hours, as these can vary. Tours are generally conducted during daylight hours.
Admission is typically charged per person for the guided tour. The exact price can vary, so it's advisable to confirm the current fee when booking or upon arrival.
Tours are primarily conducted in Japanese. However, English-speaking visitors are provided with an English guidebook to follow along with the Japanese narration. +1
While some visitors have been able to join tours without prior booking by arriving early and inquiring, it's not guaranteed. Making a reservation is the safest way to ensure entry.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The tour lasts about 40 minutes and takes you through the temple's various rooms, showcasing its hidden passages, trapdoors, and defensive features. You'll be given an English guidebook to follow the Japanese guide.
No, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the temple. Visitors are reminded of this rule before and during the tour.
The temple has narrow stairways, low ceilings, and steep steps, making it challenging for those with mobility issues, strollers, or very young children. Shoes must be removed, and bags worn at the front.
The guided tour typically lasts around 40 minutes, providing a comprehensive look at the temple's unique features.
Comfortable clothing is recommended. Be prepared to remove your shoes, so easy-to-remove footwear is a good idea.
📸 📸 Photography
Unfortunately, no. Photography and video recording are strictly forbidden within the Myoryuji Ninja Temple to preserve the experience and the integrity of the site.
The exterior of the temple offers some picturesque views, especially the traditional Japanese architecture. You can capture the entrance and surrounding grounds.
Focus on the details you can observe and remember. The experience of navigating the hidden passages and understanding the historical context is what truly defines the visit.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Young Children
If you do decide to visit with older children who can follow instructions and walk carefully, ensure they understand the rules about no photos and wearing bags at the front. The historical aspect might appeal to older kids interested in ninjas and samurai, but the physical constraints are significant. Consider a stroller-free visit and be prepared for a potentially challenging experience for the youngest members of your family.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Couples
Making a reservation is key for solo visitors to ensure a spot. The English guidebook is perfect for individual exploration, allowing you to absorb the information at your own pace. The unique nature of the temple makes it a memorable stop for couples looking for an offbeat attraction.
♿ Visitors with Mobility Concerns
Visitors are also required to remove their shoes and wear bags at the front, which can add to the difficulty. If you have significant mobility issues, it might be best to admire the exterior of the temple and research its history through other means, as the interior tour is physically demanding.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of Deception: Myoryuji's Defensive Architecture
Visitors often marvel at the sheer cleverness of the design. For instance, certain floors can be removed to reveal a pit, and walls can slide open to expose hidden staircases. The architecture is not just about traps; it also incorporates elements like angled beams to withstand earthquakes and snow, showcasing the advanced building techniques of the era. The experience is like stepping back in time, offering a tangible connection to the samurai and ninja who once inhabited such structures.
While the tour is conducted in Japanese, the provision of English guidebooks allows everyone to appreciate the historical context and the intricate details of the temple's design. The dimly lit interiors and narrow passages add to the atmosphere, making the exploration of Ninjadera a truly immersive and memorable experience.
Navigating Ninjadera: Practicalities and Etiquette
Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the temple. This rule is enforced to maintain the atmosphere and protect the historical artifacts. The temple's layout includes steep, narrow stairs and low ceilings, which can be challenging for individuals with mobility issues, very young children, or those carrying bulky items. The tour itself is conducted in Japanese, but English guidebooks are provided, allowing non-Japanese speakers to follow along and understand the historical significance of each feature.
Be prepared to sit on the floor while waiting for the tour to begin or at certain points during the tour. The overall experience is about immersing yourself in the history and ingenuity of the temple's design, rather than just ticking off photo opportunities.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit