What other travelers are saying about Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)
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
Interesting visit but not particularly fantastic, basically it’s a relatively small temple with lots of hidden doors, stairways and traps. You must book on the tour which is all on Japanese but you are given a book either photos inside so you can follow along with the tour guide.
There may not be a single ninja on site but rather an incredible display of architecture (trap doors and secret pathways/stairways throughout the temple), accompanied by an engaging retelling of the history behind this temple.
It was a full Japanese tour but English speakers like myself were given a booklet that ran through the experience very thoroughly and had an amazing time with the tour.
It is a booking only experience so do book in advance if possible, if not you’ll have to book via a phone/intercom to the left of the building and wait for the next session.
ps. Photography is not allowed inside the building.
While traveling in Japan we were recommended to visit this temple and all our expectations were met! First of all I was surprised to know that you can’t visit the temple without the guide and only after the tour I realized why. This place is a giant laboring with hidden stairs, rooms and escape routes. Without the guide it is very easy to get in the trap.
Be aware that guide speaks only Japanese, but as a foreigner we were given detailed folder with all the steps of the tour so we can follow along and appreciate history behind each room.
Photos and videos are not allowed inside. That’s why we have only entrance as a photo.
Highly recommend for everyone who is interested in architecture and history. Now I am curious to find architectural plans for this building and see what a nightmare it was to design.
Thank you for the experience.
It is absolutely fascinating. Appointments are mandatory.
There is a compulsory guided tour that is very detailed and most enjoyable. It is conducted in Japanese, but there are folders in your language of choice to follow.
It is a temple in a residential area with many other small temples in the area, some of which we visited while waiting for our appointment. It was a different and memorable experience.
