Kanazawa Ninja Temple (Myoryuji): Hidden Place Guide, Attraction, & Booking Tips
Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture is a historic city that flourished greatly as a cultural center from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. Even today, there are areas where the townscape from that era is beautifully preserved, and there are many other historical spots as well.
This time, we will introduce in detail Myouryuji, a unique temple located in Kanazawa. We have compiled information about the many mechanisms and highlights of Myouryuji, also called the Ninja Temple, which were designed to protect against enemy attacks.
If you are interested in Ninja and Samurai, as well as the history of Kanazawa, please use this article as a reference and plan a visit.
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-Three Attractions of the Unique Tourist Spot "Ninja Temple (Myouryuji)"
-The Author Introduces the Interesting Mechanisms You Can Experience at Ninja Temple (Myouryuji)
-Two Facilities Recommended for People Interested in History and Culture
-Three Spots to Visit Together with Ninja Temple
Kanazawa, Which Developed from a Castle Town, Has Many Spots Related to Tradition and Culture
The period from the 17th century to the mid-19th century, when Kanazawa developed significantly from a castle town, is called the Edo period. Kanazawa is famous for having many townscapes, buildings, and cultural elements remaining from the Edo period.
In particular, the Nishi Chaya District retains a strong presence of Geisha culture that flourished from the Edo period, and in areas where Kanazawa Castle and samurai residences remain, you can feel the samurai culture of Kanazawa where many Samurai lived.
The Maeda clan, who ruled Kanazawa, was a powerful samurai family, and especially the first lord, Maeda Toshiie, is a historical hero of Kanazawa. In Kanazawa, there are numerous spots related to Maeda Toshiie and the Maeda clan.
Ninja Temple (Myouryuji) is a Popular Tourist Spot Known for Its Uniqueness Among Many Shrines and Temples
Source:Google Maps
One of the spots related to the Maeda clan is a temple called Myouryuji. Myouryuji is known for being particularly unique among the many historic shrines and temples in Kanazawa.
Myouryuji was originally built inside Kanazawa Castle in the 16th century and was a temple that the Maeda clan faithfully worshipped. In the 17th century, it was relocated to its current location near the castle.
Myouryuji was not just a temple, but was also designed as a fortress to protect Kanazawa Castle and the city of Kanazawa from attacks by the central government, with which there were tense relations at the time.
For this reason, the temple contains many defensive mechanisms such as hidden rooms, hidden staircases, and secret passages. Although it was not historically used by Ninja, it is also called the Ninja Temple due to the abundance and uniqueness of its mechanisms, and it attracts popularity as a tourist spot.
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Address: 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00 - 16:00
Closed: January 1st, Memorial service dates
Phone Number: 076-241-0888
Official Website: http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/
Three Attractions of the Unique Tourist Spot "Ninja Temple (Myouryuji)"
Full of Mechanisms! An Interior Like a Trick House
Source:Google Maps
The Ninja Temple has many mechanisms like a trick house that appears in Ninja stories. From the outside, it looks like a simple two-story temple, but it actually has a four-story, seven-level structure. With 23 rooms and 29 staircases, the interior is designed like a maze.
Since you would get lost on your own, you must follow a specialized guide. When I visited, I felt that if I got separated from the guide, I would never be able to get out on my own due to the complex structure.
There are numerous surprising mechanisms, including hidden rooms and hidden staircases, doors behind hanging scrolls, and rooms that once you enter, can be opened from the outside but not from the inside.
All the mechanisms were practical, designed to gain advantage in battle, and you can feel the wisdom of the Samurai from long ago.
Exterior and Scenery That Evoke Kanazawa's Long-Standing Tradition
Source:Google Maps
The Ninja Temple also has a beautiful exterior, with traditional wooden temple architecture characteristic of Kanazawa, where many traditional buildings remain. The area where Myouryuji is located was once an area where many temples gathered, numbering over 50.
When you look at the Ninja Temple from the outside, it has a dignified impression that makes it hard to believe there is a maze and trick mechanisms inside, and it blends into the old-fashioned townscape. The sight of it surrounded by weeping cherry blossoms in spring and greenery in summer is also beautiful, and there is also a moss garden with vivid greenery on the premises.
When you visit the Ninja Temple, be sure to check out the historical beauty from the outside as well. You should be able to feel the contrast with the interior where many mechanisms are hidden.
Various Unique Amulets and Temple Stamps Perfect as Souvenirs
Source:Merucari
The Ninja Temple is also known as a temple where you can get unique Amulets. At Japanese shrines and temples, you can purchase Amulets called Omamori to attract good fortune and protect yourself from bad luck.
Omamori have characteristics specific to each temple, and at the Ninja Temple, you can get Omamori modeled after a dog's face and cute Omamori shaped like traditional bottle gourds.
Also, what you can get at Japanese shrines and temples is a temple stamp called Goshuin. At the Ninja Temple, you can receive a simple yet beautiful Goshuin with a stamp pressed and the temple's name written in brush.
Goshuin often have beautiful paper and stamps, and many people collect them from shrines and temples across the country. At the Ninja Temple, you can also purchase a cute stamp book with dog patterns for collecting such Goshuin.
The Author Introduces the Interesting Mechanisms You Can Experience at Ninja Temple (Myouryuji)
Now, let me introduce some of the intriguing mechanisms found at Myouryuji, also known as Ninja Temple.
Hidden Staircase Built for Escape
First is the hidden staircase concealed beneath the floorboards. Most Japanese architecture is wooden construction, and temple floors are typically made of wooden planks. At Myouryuji, when you slide these wooden floorboards, a staircase surprisingly appears below.
This is a mechanism that allows people inside the building to secretly escape without being detected by intruders. What surprised me was that a nearby sliding door serves as a lock. When the sliding door is closed, the floorboards cannot be moved from below, ingeniously preventing entry from outside.
Trapdoor Staircase and Offering Box for Eliminating Enemies
Additionally, there is a mechanism in the temple's offering box. An offering box is a box for placing money when praying, and they are found at shrines and temples throughout Japan.
The Ninja Temple's offering box is placed in a way that it is embedded in the floor at the entrance to the Main shrine. When the internal box is removed from this offering box, it can be used as a trapdoor with a depth of 2 to 3 meters. This is a mechanism that can eliminate invading enemies near the entrance.
The trapdoor mechanism also exists in the staircase inside the building. The bottom of the wooden staircase becomes a trapdoor, and by sliding the floorboards, it becomes a mechanism that can drop intruders into the hole.
Well Connected to a Hidden Passage Continuing from Kanazawa Castle
Ninja Temple has an old well, and near the bottom at about 25 meters depth, there is a horizontal tunnel. This horizontal tunnel is said to have once connected to a hidden passage continuing from Kanazawa Castle.
From Myouryuji to Kanazawa Castle is just across the Sai River that flows through the city. Kanazawa, as a greatly prosperous regional city, was suspected by the central government in Tokyo, formerly called Edo, of the possibility of rebellion.
This well is thought to have been for the castle lord's Maeda clan and the castle's people to evacuate when the central government attacked. Seeing a well with a hidden passage like something out of a movie, I could feel the deep tensions of that era, and this point was also impressive to me.
Light-Gathering Staircase That Can Be Used for Various Purposes
Source:Google Maps
Also, the light-gathering staircase has mechanisms designed for many different purposes. Part of this staircase is made of Shoji paper.
While it is meant to bring light into the servant's room below the staircase, it has other uses as well. When looking up from below, you can see the shadows of enemies' feet through the Shoji paper. You can confirm the number of enemies, and furthermore, you can even attack from below with spears.
Besides these, Ninja Temple has many other ingeniously designed mechanisms. During the tour, guides demonstrate numerous mechanisms on the spot, making it very easy to understand how they work.
Reservations Are Essential for Visiting Ninja Temple! Explaining the Specific Reservation Method
To visit Myouryuji, also known as Ninja Temple, with its many mechanisms, reservations are absolutely necessary. The reservation method is by calling Myouryuji by phone. Unfortunately, there is currently no online reservation system, but reservations can be made in English by phone.
Same-day reservations and visits are possible if there is availability. On the day, you visit by participating in a group tour led by a professional guide, and tour groups have a capacity limit.
The time required to tour the entire facility is about 40 minutes. While the guide's explanations are given in Japanese, you receive a file with explanations of each mechanism written in English, so you can enjoy while fully understanding.
Please note that if you are late, it will be treated as a cancellation, and photography inside the building is prohibited.
If You Want to Enjoy Kanazawa's Traditions and Culture More Deeply, Getting Guided by Locals Is Recommended
For those interested in Kanazawa's traditions and culture, participating in a tour that explores the city with a guide from the local community is recommended.
The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour takes 5 hours with a local guide to visit the major tourist spots of Kanazawa City where you can experience history and culture.
The tour also visits Kanazawa Castle Park, which is deeply related to Myouryuji introduced in this article. If you become interested after visiting Myouryuji, please ask in detail about the history of Kanazawa and the Maeda family.
The tour also visits Omi Market, a treasure trove of gourmet food, and Kenrokuen Garden, a beautiful Japanese garden. For lunch, you can eat the local dish Jibuni, and you can also enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets.
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Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Kanazawa City
Start time: 10:00
Two Facilities Recommended for People Interested in History and Culture
Kanazawa Castle
If you are visiting Ninja Temple, Kanazawa Castle is definitely something you want to see together. Kanazawa Castle is the castle of the Maeda clan, a samurai family that greatly developed Kanazawa into a cultural city. Built in the 16th century, it is an essential and important spot for understanding Kanazawa's history.
Let's visit Ishikawa Gate built in the 18th century, watchtowers with many mechanisms, and armories. Like Ninja Temple, there are many ingenious designs for fighting and defense that the Samurai thought of.
Kanazawa Castle Park, where Kanazawa Castle is located, is also adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden, a beautiful Japanese garden, so visiting them together is also recommended.
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Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 7:00 - 18:00
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays
Phone number: 0762343800
Official website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/
Shijimaya Honpo
Source:Official website
Shijimaya Honpo is a shop that sells traditional Kanazawa food products. The main store is located about a 10-minute walk from Myouryuji, and sells fermented sushi called Kabura sushi and other items.
In addition to selling food products, Shijimaya Honpo offers interesting cultural experiences where you can learn about the history of samurai and townspeople. For example, valuable Japanese swords that have been passed down through the owner's family for generations are specially displayed to the public.
With a reservation, you can view several Japanese swords with hundreds of years of history, including swords from over 400 years ago. You can also take commemorative photos wearing Kimono and holding a Replica sword. After seeing the Samurai's ingenious fighting mechanisms at Ninja Temple, taking photos holding a sword should elevate your excitement even more.
If you are interested, please make a reservation for the cultural experience through the official website.
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Address: 1-17-28 Yayoi, Kanazawa City
Business hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays
Phone number: 81-76-241-4173
Official website: https://www.kabura.jp/contents/samurai/
Three Spots to Visit Together with Ninja Temple
Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Samurai District is an area where old samurai residences that once belonged to warriors who lived in Kanazawa are preserved. It is located about a 20-minute walk from Myouryuji.
From the 17th to 19th centuries, many samurai families lived in Kanazawa, which flourished as a castle town. In Nagamachi Samurai District, samurai residences featuring stone-paved streets and earthen walls have maintained the same appearance as they did hundreds of years ago.
Walking along the stone-paved streets while viewing the residence ruins makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time to a world hundreds of years ago. When I took a stroll there, it was very quiet, and I could clearly hear the beautiful sound of water flowing in the waterways alongside the road.
Some of the samurai residences are open to the public, allowing visitors to tour their interiors. Be sure to spend a quiet moment in Nagamachi Samurai District while experiencing Kanazawa's history.
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Address: 1-3-12-2 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone Number: None
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10195.html
Nishi Chaya District
Nishi Chaya District is an area where old Geisha Houses line up. Kanazawa is a city where a unique Geisha culture developed, and Nishi Chaya District prospered as its center from the early 19th century.
The wooden Geisha Houses are characterized by beautiful lattice decorations. In Nishi Chaya District, buildings from 200 years ago are preserved as they were, lining the stone-paved streets.
Although it is smaller in scale compared to Higashi Chaya District, which also has a collection of old Geisha Houses, I was satisfied with the calm and elegant atmosphere I could enjoy there.
Inside the old traditional houses, gift shops and cafes are also operating, allowing you to enjoy shopping and dining in charming stores.
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Address: 2-25-18 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone Number: None
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10199.html
Katamachi
Katamachi is Kanazawa's premier entertainment district area near the Sai River. Together with the adjacent Korinbo area, many shopping spots and restaurants are gathered here.
Katamachi is a recommended spot when you want to enjoy gourmet food and nightlife in Kanazawa. Among Kanazawa's many famous Japanese restaurants, renowned establishments are concentrated here, with more than 10 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide.
Many of the famous dining establishments are not on the main streets but rather in the back alleys off the side streets. There are also many Izakayas and bars open until late at night.
Additionally, there are large shopping facilities like Katamachi Kirara with fashion stores, as well as shops handling Kanazawa's specialty products such as Kutani ware, where you can leisurely enjoy shopping during the day.
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Address: Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Depends on stores and facilities
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone Number: 0762320630
Official Website: https://www.e-katamachi.com/
Enjoy Kanazawa's Excellent Food at Authentic Restaurants Loved by Locals!
If you don't know which restaurant to visit in the Katamachi or Korinbo areas, join a tour led by a local guide and have them take you to Authentic Restaurants.
On the Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour, after meeting with a local guide in Korinbo, you'll visit three restaurants together, including Authentic Japanese restaurants.
Kanazawa, which treasures traditional culture, has many historic Japanese restaurants and is a treasure trove of Japanese cuisine. While enjoying your meal, learn a wealth of knowledge about Japanese food from the friendly guide.
After eating authentic Japanese food, try local dishes loved by the locals, such as Kanazawa Oden, a dish of simmered vegetables, and fully enjoy Kanazawa's excellent food.
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Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg.
Tour Area: Kanazawa City
Start Time: 18:00
