Myouryuji: Kanazawa's Intriguing 'Ninja Temple'

Explore Kanazawa's 'Ninja Temple': A labyrinthine structure with hidden passages and ingenious defenses, revealing feudal secrets.

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Myouryuji

Myouryuji, also known as the Ninja Temple, is a unique Buddhist temple in Kanazawa, Japan, famous for its hidden defensive features. Built in 1643, it served as a secret military outpost with trap doors, hidden passages, and a watchtower, designed to protect Kanazawa Castle.

A brief summary to Myouryuji

1 Chome-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa, 1 Chome Nomachi, Ishikawa, 921-8031, JP
+8176-241-0888
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Local tips

Reservations are essential; book your guided tour in advance by phone, as tours fill quickly.
Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Photography is prohibited inside the temple, so be sure to take in all the details with your eyes.
Tours are in Japanese, but English written guides are provided.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus from the East Exit, bus stop #7. Get off at the 'Hirokoji' stop, which is about a 10-minute ride. From there, it's approximately a 7-minute walk to Myouryuji Temple. The fare for the Kanazawa Loop Bus is ¥210 for adults. Alternatively, take the Kanazawa Left Loop Bus and get off at the 'Hashiba-cho' stop, a 10-minute ride, followed by a 3-minute walk.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available at Kanazawa Station. The ride to Myouryuji Temple takes approximately 10-15 minutes. The estimated fare is ¥1,800 - ¥2,200. This is a convenient option if you have luggage or prefer a direct route.
Walking

Myouryuji Temple is approximately a 30-minute walk northwest from Kanazawa Station. From Kanazawa Station, walk straight, then turn left onto Route 50, continue onto the main road, turn right onto the smaller road after the bridge. Turn left and walk straight until you arrive at Myouryuji Temple. Walking allows you to see more of the city.

Discover more about Myouryuji

Myouryuji, often called Ninja-dera or 'Ninja Temple,' is a fascinating Buddhist temple located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Despite its nickname, it has no actual association with ninjas. The temple earned its moniker due to its intricate defensive architecture. Originally established as a small prayer hall in 1583, the Myouryuji temple was constructed in 1643 by Maeda Toshitsune. Fearing the Tokugawa shogunate, Lord Maeda Toshitsune, the third daimyo of Kaga Domain, married a daughter of the Tokugawa clan. He also promoted arts and culture while constructing illegal military outposts. The temple served as a secret military outpost, designed with numerous tricks and traps to defend Kanazawa Castle. The Tokugawa Shogunate had banned defensive structures as well as buildings over two-stories high. While Myoryuji appears as a two-story construction, it is in fact four-stories tall, with seven different layers. Inside, visitors discover a labyrinthine structure featuring 23 rooms and 29 staircases. The temple incorporates hidden stairs and rooms, pit traps, secret passages, and a watchtower. One notable feature is the central well, rumored to connect to Kanazawa Castle via a secret tunnel, though this remains unconfirmed. The temple's design cleverly circumvented building restrictions imposed by the shogunate, disguising its military purpose. Today, Myouryuji stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Maeda clan. Visitors can explore Myouryuji through guided tours, which are conducted in Japanese, but English information is provided. Reservations are required. The tour reveals the temple's many secrets, including trap doors, hidden passageways, and the concealed watchtower. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.