Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)

I arrived without a reservation. They guide me towards an intercom and after some conversation, I got to join the tour group. The temple was simply amazing. Many trapdoors, hidden stairs and secret rooms. I highly recommend!

This temple was very interesting. It is a maze inside and there are many secret passages and traps meant to confuse the builder's enemies. The tour takes you around in small groups to see many of the secrets. There is a guide, but they speak almost no English. A book was given to the English speakers to follow along as our guide told us what numbers to turn to. Rooms were small, with some ceilings being barely taller than my 6'2" height. Similarly doorways were low and stairways were steep and narrow. You will have to sit on the floor while waiting or occasionally on the tour. You are not allowed to take any photographs inside the temple so pay attention. I highly recommend this very interesting tour. Get your hotel to call and help you make a reservation.

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

Very interesting and historic place with many architectural designs as traps for defense. It brings us travel the time of Samurai and Nija around 400 years. Worth to visit: 5.0 Beater to make a reservation by call

Reservations are required, and while the tour is conducted in Japanese, we had no trouble calling to reserve a spot using an international phone plan. You can also make a call from outside the temple to book a visit. The tour was interesting—even without understanding the language fully. They provided an English guidebook that helped us follow along as we explored the temple’s deceptive architecture, hidden staircases, false ceilings, and other clever defenses. You’re asked to leave your shoes outside and refrain from using your phone during the tour, which adds to the immersive, respectful atmosphere. At just ¥1200 per person (~$8.40), it was one of the most unique and budget-friendly attractions of our trip. A hidden gem in Kanazawa—literally and figuratively.

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.

We happened to stop by the Myouryuji (Ninja Temple) and discovered that guided tours are organized throughout the day. Normally, reservations are required, but it’s worth checking on the spot as there may be last-minute availability. Tours seem to run once every hour and last around 40–45 minutes. The staff were very kind and accommodating, and we were lucky to join a tour at the last minute without any waiting. Please note that the tour is conducted only in Japanese, but foreign visitors are provided with a booklet (available in English, French, Spanish, and more) to follow along, which is collected at the end. I highly recommend this experience – it is fascinating and showcases a lot of creativity in the temple’s design, with hidden passages, clever tricks, and surprising architectural features that reveal how the building was used for both defense and strategy. It’s a unique way to step back in time and discover a different side of Japanese history.

Really cool place with a great story and history. Loved the intimate feeling of the tour. Even tough the guide only speaks japanese the provide a comprehensive book with all the sections the guide takes you through, all translated into English. Highly recommend. A tour starts every half hour, we arrived with no reservation and had room, probably better to reserve when coming during busier times.