Ninjadera (Ninja Temple)

Myoryuji Temple (妙立寺, Myōryūji), often referred to as the Ninja Temple, is a captivating historical gem in Kanazawa. Built during the Edo Period by the powerful Maeda clan, it was designed not as a traditional religious temple, but as a covert military outpost. In response to the stringent building regulations imposed by the shogunate, the temple’s architecture was ingeniously crafted with hidden defenses and secretive features, making it a fascinating blend of religion and espionage. The temple is renowned for its clever design, including concealed escape routes, hidden rooms, and cleverly disguised traps, all intended to protect the Maeda clan from potential threats.

The temple’s layout is a maze of hidden corridors, trick staircases, and concealed tunnels, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the strategic ingenuity of the Edo Period. Guided tours, conducted in Japanese, reveal the temple’s intricate secrets, while English guidebooks are available for deeper insights. As you explore the temple, you’ll be taken through its labyrinthine structure, learning how these secretive designs once allowed defenders to warn the castle of potential danger. Myoryuji Temple stands as a testament to the creativity and tactical brilliance of the Maeda clan, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by the hidden side of Japanese heritage.