What can I do at the Iwabitsu Sanada Ninja Museum?

View exhibits of ninja weapons (shuriken, kunai, concealed blades) and espionage tools. Navigate the trick house with hidden doors and trap floors. Practice shuriken throwing. Learn about Sanada clan military campaigns.

What makes this ninja museum different from others?

Focuses on authentic Sanada clan ninja history with real historical documents and equipment. Distinguishes historical facts from popular myths.

How long should I spend at the museum?

Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes exploring exhibits, the trick house, and participating in shuriken throwing activities.

What other attractions are near the museum?

Iwayama Kannon, a cliff-carved Buddhist temple, is nearby and can be visited on the same trip. The area also offers access to Gunma's hot spring resorts.

Gunma

Iwabitsu Sanada Ninja Museum "Ninpaku", Gunma

4.4 (68)MuseumIndoor PlaygroundTourist AttractionAmusement CenterHistory MuseumAmusement ParkPlaygroundPoint Of InterestStoreEstablishment

Last updated May 16, 2026

The Iwabitsu Sanada Ninja Museum, commonly known as Ninpaku, is located in Higashi-Agatsuma, Gunma Prefecture, in the former Iwabitsu village area. The museum was established to preserve and showcase the history of the Sanada clan and their network of ninja operatives who operated in this region during the Sengoku period (16th century). The Sanada family, led by the legendary strategist Sanada Masayuki and his son Sanada Yukimura, controlled territories in present-day Gunma and Nagano prefectures.

The museum holds cultural significance as one of the few facilities in Japan dedicated specifically to authentic ninja history rather than entertainment portrayals. The collection includes historical documents, weapons, tools, and equipment actually used by ninja operatives in the Sanada clan's service. Exhibits explain espionage techniques, coded communication methods, survival skills, and the role of ninja in feudal warfare. The museum distinguishes between historical facts and popular myths surrounding ninja culture, providing scholarly context about these covert agents who functioned as scouts, spies, and unconventional warriors during Japan's warring states period.

Visitors can explore exhibition halls displaying ninja weapons including shuriken (throwing stars), kunai (multipurpose daggers), and concealed blades, along with specialized tools for infiltration and escape. Interactive demonstrations show how ninja used disguises, created smoke screens, and employed distraction techniques.

The museum features a trick house section where visitors navigate rooms with hidden doors, trap floors, and concealed passages designed to confuse intruders. Hands-on activities allow guests to practice shuriken throwing at designated targets under supervision. Educational displays cover the Sanada clan's military campaigns, including their defense of Ueda Castle against the Tokugawa forces.

Access the Iwabitsu Sanada Ninja Museum from JR Agatsuma Line's Iwabitsu Station, located approximately 15 minutes on foot from the museum. From Tokyo, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to the JR Agatsuma Line for roughly 1 hour to Iwabitsu Station. By car, use the Kanetsu Expressway and exit at Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange, then drive approximately 40 minutes to the museum.

Hours

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Phone

+81 80-6708-5431

Website

www.ninpaku.net

Overview

Address

624-4 Haramachi, Higashiagatsuma, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-0801, Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveler reviews

Great museum conveniently located by the train station! Has a ton of interactive and fun activities with super friendly staff! Nearby a great sushi restaurant and just brimming with personality! A must visit!

blibdox

Nov 26, 2025

An amazing museum with great history. It is so cool that you can interact with the artifacts. It is also awesome how they have interactive games and displays to make you feel like a real Ninja. The staff was so friendly and happy to answer any questions I had. If you're ever in the area, this is a must go place.

This is an interactive museum primarily featuring exhibits related to the Joshu Sanada Shrine. Although small, it offers interactive attractions such as a shuriken throwing challenge against Sanada Yukimura, a time trial where you navigate through traps, and more. You can also try on cosplay costumes, play Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System), and enjoy other light entertainment, making it a comfortable space where you'll find yourself staying longer than planned. The staff are very friendly and will patiently answer any questions you have. In addition to the fun activities, there are also important exhibits related to actual history, making it a very unique place. Highly recommended.

What's amazing about this place is that museum-quality ninja tools (the real thing) are casually displayed, and you can even touch some of them. Incidentally, there are many descendants of ninjas who served the Takeda and Sanada families in this region, and they live ordinary lives without making a big deal out of it. (Until recently, ninjas had a strong negative image, so they were hesitant to talk about it in public.) Furthermore, if you're interested in ninjas, you should also visit the Nakanojo Town Museum, "Musee." It also has a wealth of valuable materials on display and is definitely worth a visit!

I didn't know what Ninpaku was like, but it was really good to go. I went there with my kids 👦🧒. It was a weekday, so we were the only visitors, and we were very satisfied. There were only two staff members at the time. I thought it would be a place to play in a traditional ninja house, but it wasn't! This place is divided into two zones, the game zone and the exhibition zone. The game zone has a game that you play with 6dof 3D goggles, a shooting game using a shuriken controller (the one where you don't ride the Disney Buzz Lightyear ride), and a ninja 🥷 mission where you clear the mission without touching the ropes stretched around the space, just like SASUKE. There is also a shuriken range where you can throw shuriken. This was perfect for kids who don't get enough exercise. It wasn't a ninja house, but more like a futuristic arcade, and it was great, like hitting the jackpot 🎯 for the first time in a while. The exhibition area mainly featured ninja tools, and there was also a video show using projection mapping, which was refreshing and interesting. It's a rare place in the area where you can play indoors. The game zone was heated and warm. You can still have fun in the winter, so be sure to visit. The admission fee was quite high, but I think the content is worth it.