Myouryuji — Attraction in Kanazawa

Myouryuji, also known as the Ninja Temple, is a totally amazing experience and a true hidden gem in Kanazawa. Don’t expect to see any photos or videos from inside—photography is strictly forbidden—but honestly, I think that’s for the best. It helps preserve the secrecy, mystery, and authenticity of this incredible historical site.

The temple is packed with fascinating hidden staircases, traps, pitfalls, and clever architectural tricks. One of the most impressive features was the ingenious system used to draw water from a ground well all the way up to the second floor—so clever!

This isn’t just a tourist attraction; it’s a valuable cultural experience that gives real insight into the ingenuity of the time. Just a heads-up: there are a lot of steep stairs, tight passages, and low ceilings, so it’s best suited for people who are physically able. Definitely not recommended for those with mobility issues. But if you’re able-bodied, and especially if you’ve got kids with a sense of adventure, they’ll absolutely love it.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting Kanazawa!

Perfect, James. Here’s the full review with your driving and ticket info added as a separate helpful note at the end:

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Five Stars – Mind-Blowing and Mysterious!

Myouryuji, also known as the Ninja Temple, is a totally amazing experience and a true hidden gem in Kanazawa. Don’t expect to see any photos or videos from inside—photography is strictly forbidden—but honestly, I think that’s for the best. It helps preserve the secrecy, mystery, and authenticity of this incredible historical site.

The temple is packed with fascinating hidden staircases, traps, pitfalls, and clever architectural tricks. One of the most impressive features was the ingenious system used to draw water from a ground well all the way up to the second floor—so clever!

This isn’t just a tourist attraction; it’s a valuable cultural experience that gives real insight into the ingenuity of the time. Just a heads-up: there are a lot of steep stairs, tight passages, and low ceilings, so it’s best suited for people who are physically able. Definitely not recommended for those with mobility issues. But if you’re able-bodied, and especially if you’ve got kids with a sense of adventure, they’ll absolutely love it.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting Kanazawa!

If you’re coming by car, don’t park at the small lot right next to the temple—it’s privately owned and not affiliated. Instead, there’s a free car park about 500 meters away at a nearby temple which visitors are allowed to use. Very convenient.

As for tickets, you can just turn up and buy them, but they do have a phone outside that connects directly to someone inside the temple, and they prefer you to book in advance. Entry is every 40 to 45 minutes. You might get lucky (like I did—I arrived just three minutes before the next session and was allowed straight in), but during busy times, expect to wait or possibly be turned away without a...

Myouryuji, famously known as the Ninja Temple, is a masterclass in architectural ingenuity and historical intrigue nestled in the heart of Kanazawa. Though it has no actual ties to the covert world of ninjas, the temple earns its nickname through an astonishing array of hidden defenses, secret passageways, and clever design features that evoke the stealth and strategy of feudal espionage.

From the moment you approach the temple, its modest exterior belies the complexity within. It appears to be a simple two-story structure, but once inside, you discover a labyrinthine four-story interior with seven layers, 23 rooms, and 29 staircases. This deceptive design was a brilliant response to the strict building regulations imposed by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. The Maeda lords, who commissioned the temple, used it as a disguised military outpost, ensuring that their domain remained protected under the guise of religious devotion.

Every corner of Myouryuji tells a story of tactical brilliance. Trap doors, hidden staircases, escape pits, and secret tunnels are woven seamlessly into the layout. One of the most fascinating features is the central well, rumored to connect underground to Kanazawa Castle, offering a potential escape route or a means to send urgent messages during times of siege. The lookout tower at the top provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area, reinforcing the temple’s role as a strategic stronghold.

The guided tours, conducted in Japanese, are thoughtfully designed to accommodate international visitors with detailed English guidebooks that explain each feature with clarity. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate, bringing the temple’s history to life with vivid storytelling and demonstrations of its hidden mechanisms. The experience is immersive, educational, and thrilling—like stepping into a living puzzle crafted centuries ago.

Beyond its defensive marvels, Myouryuji is also a place of spiritual significance. As a Nichiren Buddhist temple, it retains its religious function and serene atmosphere. The juxtaposition of sacred space and military strategy makes it a unique cultural artifact, reflecting the complex interplay between faith, politics, and survival in feudal Japan.

Visiting Myouryuji is more than a tour—it’s a journey into the mind of a bygone era, where every architectural choice was a calculated move in a larger game of power and protection. It stands as a testament to the creativity and resilience of the Maeda clan, and to the enduring allure of places that hold secrets within their walls.

For anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply the thrill of uncovering hidden doors and secret staircases, Myouryuji is an unforgettable destination. It’s not just a temple—it’s a story waiting to be explored,...

Have heard a lot about this "Ninja Temple" that is totally unrelated to any Ninja history. Finally visited this amazing, very well thought out architecture.

Follow the following advice and you will be fine.

Firstly, due to the overwhelming number of visitors, you will be denied entry without a proper reservation and reservation can only be done via the PHONE, no emails or internet or any other ways. You need to speak Japanese and only Japanese over the phone for reservation. Get a Japanese speaker if you can't speak Japanese. Be prepared for a very rude receptionist who is not very welcoming to any non Japanese speaking folks. If you speak Japanese, just bypass her attitude and get the reservation time, number of people attending. Not worth your time or effort over the rude receptionist.

Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the entrance time with the exact number of reserved guests and report your reservation name to the staff. You will need to pay 1000 yen per person here. You will be seated accordingly and arranged into separate groups and you can asked for a English or Chinese instruction booklet. The staff will play a pre recorded Japanese introduction of the history of temple.

After the recorded introduction has ended, the staff will proceed to explain various interesting features of the temple. Foreigner groups are separated to be either at the front of the tour or at the back of the tour. Each group will be lead by a respective staff who will only explain the details in JAPANESE. Do not speak loudly, whisper in the lowest audioable tone. Do not touch anything like walls or pillars, do not open doors or enter restricted zone and you will be fine.

The very old temple has an amazing layout crammed into a tiny 3.5 storey architecture that has 23 rooms and a ton of hidden stairs. Roofs are very low on certain rooms so watch your head. Some floors have very thin and creaky floors so be extra careful.

The tour will end in approximately 40 minutes and besides the rude receptionist, most of the staffs are very friendly and...