Ninjadera (Ninja Temple)

Temple equipped with secret doors and traps

Recommended

4.0 (223)

#6 of 11 most visited in Kanazawa

Myoryuji Temple (妙立寺, Myōryūji), commonly known as Ninjadera ("Ninja Temple"), was built by the Maeda lords, rulers over the region during the Edo Period. While not actually associated with ninja, the temple earned its nickname because of its many deceptive defences.

Since the shogun imposed strict building restrictions as one way of weakening the regional feudal lords, Myoryuji was designed to circumvent the restrictions and serve as a disguised military outpost. It was built with considerable defences and escape routes, so that its defenders could alert the castle in the event of an attack.

The temple's defences aimed to guard against intruders or attack, and include hidden tunnels, secret rooms, traps, and a labyrinth of corridors and staircases. These can be viewed on guided tours held in Japanese, although good English guidebooks are available.

Myoryuji is located in the Teramachi District ("temple town") in the south of the city. Populated by numerous temples, this area was originally located outside of the city limits as were the entertainment districts.

Take the Left Loop of the Kanazawa Loop Bus (15 minutes, 210 yen, departures every 15 minutes) to Hirokoji bus stop (bus stop number LL5) from where you can walk to the temple in about five minutes.

How to get to and around Kanazawa

Hours

Tours are held every 30-60 minutes from 9:00 to 16:00

Closed

January 1 and infrequent irregluar closures

Admission

1000 yen (advance reservations recommended by phone: 076-241-0888)

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Myoryuji Temple

Official website.

Japanese

Myoryuji Temple

Official website.

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