What image do you have when you hear the word "ninja"?

You may be familiar with them from "Ninja Hattori-kun" and the anime "Naruto." So, what were the actual ninja like and what kind of activities did they engage in? You can get a glimpse of the real ninja at Iga-ryu Ninja Museum in Iga City, Mie Prefecture.

This is a place where you can learn the basics of ninja, such as a show using real weapons and ninja tools, and an experience using a Iga-ryu Ninja House and shuriken.

Surprised by unexpected tricks!
"Iga-ryu Ninja Hous"

In the first place, what kind of people are "ninja"?

In a nutshell, they are called so for "those who use ninjutsu." In the past, they were called "shinobi" and served mainly lords and feudal lords from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) to the Edo period (1603-1868). It is believed that they engaged in so-called espionage activities, including what is now called intelligence gathering.

Among them, Iga and Koga's "shinobi (ninja)" are said to be particularly excellent.

Let's take a look at Iga-ryu Ninja Museum to see what kind of ninjutsu they used.

Iga-ryu Ninja Museum (hereinafter referred to as the museum) has a "Iga-ryu Ninja House'', "Ninja Museum", "Ninja Demonstration Show'', "Shuriken Shooting Experience'', and "Ninja Goods and Souvenirs'' on the premises.

There are many ways to learn about ninja from various angles and have fun!

Let's start with the Iga-ryu Ninja House.

A ninja will guide you to the Ninja House on weekdays. The guidance time is fixed, so check in advance! Let's go in now.

A quaint old folk house with a thatched roof came into view. Further on, you will see ...

There is a person standing at the entrance .......  it's a ninja!

A life-size ninja doll with a scroll welcomes you.

When you go inside, take off your shoes and go up. It looks like an ordinary house.

Then, there is a female ninja! She explains the various tricks of this house.

There are 11 mechanisms called "Karakuri" in this ninja house, each of which has a different mechanism. The first thing she explained was "dondengaeshi".

The wall in front of me looks like a normal wall...

The wall on the far right is actually a revolving door, and when an enemy comes or runs away quickly, you push it around and escape to the back.

You can actually enter and experience it.

This is called a "hidden staircase", and it's usually a closet, but in case of emergency, you can put down the stairs and escape to the ceiling...

Other features include a "Shikakedo" that can be unlocked using a leaf to escape into the garden without making a noise. This is full of the wisdom that only a ninja would have, and it will make you nod your head in agreement!

What a mechanism to escape from under the Buddhist altar ......

In addition, it looks like an ordinary floor at first glance, but in case of emergency, you can take out scrolls and money from the pot hidden under the floor.

It is a series of surprises that a seemingly ordinary house has a wonderful gimmick, such as the “Katanakakushi,” where you can lure an enemy into this room and instantly fight back with a sword hidden under the floor. Also, the ninja moves quickly, and its agile movements are also worth paying attention to.

There are no guides on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, but you can freely experience these karakuri!

You can learn ninja life and ninjutsu
"Ninja Museum"

Now, let's take a look at the museum where you can learn about what kind of ninjutsu and ninja tools the actual ninja used, and how they lived.

The museum has two buildings: the "Ninja Experience Hall" where you can actually see a number of ninja tools (replicas), and the "Ninja Tradition Hall" where you can learn about the lifestyle.

First, let's take a look at the "Ninja Experience Hall".

Ninja Experience Hall

If you go down the stairs leading down from Ninja House, you will find the Ninja Experience Hall.

There are replica ninja tools and costumes on display, such as what kind of tools and clothes ninja used to wear.

This is a ninja tool called "Mizugumo". When we think of ninja, we have the image of walking smoothly on water, but it seems that they actually used this Mizugumo in the mire.

In this corner, you can experience what you can actually see through the hole, what it smells like, and sharpen your five senses. What do you see and what does it smell like?

Speaking of ninja, shuriken. There are various shapes and types of shuriken!

In addition, there are many other innovations such as flaming sickles and kogama (small kettles), and canes with hidden weapons which are more than just sickles and canes!

By the way, the ninjutsu that ninja used seems to be divided into the following two.

●Yo-nin": The art of sneaking in by appearing to be someone else. The art of sneaking in by disguising oneself.
●In-nin: The art of sneaking in by concealing one's appearance.
The art of infiltrating discreetly or gathering information by hiding in plain sight.

So,they usually work in the fields, etc., looking as much like farmers as possible so as not to be noticed. ......

They disguised themselves as merchants, ordinary people, mountain priests, street performers, etc., called 'Shichihode', and pretended to deceive people according to the situation.

Ninja Tradition Museum

Now, let's go to the "Ninja Tradition Museum" next. A converted rice storehouse, it is a museum where you can learn about the history of ninjas, as well as how they lived.

In the museum, there are panels displaying the wisdom of the ninja, including how they actually lived their lives.

You will be surprised when you see the exhibition, from prophecies, memories, methods to know the weather, to knowing the time by looking at a cat's eyes.

It means that they had acquired various methods of survival wisdom from their daily lives. It is truly a survival technique that is applicable even today.

For the ninja, they were unable to use letters openly, so it seems that they used these secret letters to communicate. Can you read now, let's try!

In addition, there are many other interesting exhibits about ninja, so please try to see them up close.

Ninja goods/souvenirs

And when you go to the back of the Tradtion hall, you will find ninja goods and a souvenir corner.

Speaking of ninja, "shuriken". There are many shurikens made of rubber, shapes, colors, etc.

When you wear a hachimaki, you feel like a ninja! They make a great souvenir or memory of your trip.

A powerful ninja show

The museum also holds a "Ninja Show" where you can see up close what kind of techniques the ninja actually used. The show that unfolds using the weapons and tools that were on display earlier is a masterpiece!

The demonstrator is the special Iga ninja corps called "Ashura".

For example, you can see a number of shows such as the Hobakujutsu, a technique of capturing an opponent alive using a string, and the Daikoku Hiya, a technique in which the Iga ninja used gunpowder to extend the distance of an arrow and make it explode at the point of impact, a specialty of the ninja. You will be fascinated by the swift movements of the ninja. The content of the show changes from time to time, so you will have to wait until the day of the show to find out what is on offer!

* Separately 500 yen per person. Please check the schedule in advance as there are holidays.

Let's actually experience shuriken striking!

If you come this far, I think there are many people who want to feel like a ninja. For those people, there are places where you can actually experience shuriken striking.

First, apply at the window and go to the shuriken-striking corner.

Each person will receive 6 shurikens. When you hold them, they are surprisingly heavy. ......

The way to hold it is with the dominant arm, between the thumb and index finger. There seems to be a proper angle (see photo above). Once you have a grip, take one step forward with your right or left foot, whichever you prefer, and position yourself to aim at the target in front of you.

Now, let's try striking! By the way, shuriken is not said "throw" but "strike". The arm should be swung down vertically from above, and it is OK if you stand up and rotate!

By the way, the upper target is for adults, and the lower square one is for children, so even young children can strike it.

Couples, families, etc. seem to have a blast!

Enjoy visiting shrines and temples related to Iga ninja

And there was also a red stamp (note / 200 yen per sheet) and a red stamp book (1,620 yen).

You can also visit 29 shrines and temples related to Iga ninja. The limited red stamp book is cool with a chic black color that looks like a ninja.

According to the museum staff, "Ninjutsu is not about defeating or robbing the enemy, but about surviving," which was impressive. It seems that it was the ninja who mastered various techniques for that purpose.

Whether you are interested or not, please see, touch, and experience with your own eyes.