Myōryū-ji (Ninja Temple)
Lifestyle/Hobbies | Avg price: ¥1000 | English Available: None (Unknown)
Reviews
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Intriguing temple attraction
When I visited this temple some years ago, I had a very weak grasp of the Japanese language, and the restrictive rules (no foreign language tour, no speaking during the exclusively Japanese tour) didn't diminish my experience. I was fascinated by the sumptuous decoration (beautiful and refined) and the demonstration of the various concealed passages and trick escapes. Later, I researched the temple and discovered it was in fact an artifact of the Edo era intrigues and subterfuges. The temple complex has more floors than it appears, dodging shogunate proscriptions on the number of floors allowed. It's also a place of pilgrimage today for Nichiren adherents. Nichiren's version of Buddhist teachings is a rabbit hole itself and worth exploring to open a window into the complex Buddhist denominations that competed in Edo era Japan.
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on Jan 2
Not the easiest for foreign guests
If you're an expat with an excellent grasp on Japanese, then it will be a lot easier to enjoy this place. My husband summarized it better in his review below, but the tour is completely conducted in Japanese (totally okay!) but they don't allow talking throughout the tour, so even if you're with someone who speaks Japanese they won't be able to help you out. Of course, some of it you can decipher simply from body language, gestures, and pointing, but it can be quite difficult. Personally, I didn't gain a lot from visiting here - I think there are plenty of more interesting sights and attractions in Kanazawa/broader Ishikawa to enjoy.
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on Jul 27
A Really cool Temple if you can stand the rules
This is a temple that I am ambivalent about. On the one hand, they playfully advertise this temple as the “Ninja Temple” in a direct ploy to attract tourists, but then they impose pretty Draconian rules on things that would be considered polite tourist behavior. Here are some pretty big negatives: - There are no pictures inside the temple. I could understand if there was a restriction in the Honden, but in the outer areas? - There are no foreign language tours. They do have a homemade guidebook with English language explanations, but only one that must be shared among patrons. - You have to call ahead for reservations—no acceptance without prior contact. - Even if you or a member of your party speaks Japanese, you are not allowed to translate during the tour—basically, they don’t want anybody talking during the tour. - Oh yeah, there were never any ninjas there—it’s a nickname because of the way the building was designed—lots of trap doors, secret passages, etc. So is it worth it to make the trip there? It’s a fascinating place. I really enjoyed seeing it. But I am really torn about recommending it, since it can be quite unenjoyable for many patrons expecting a more inviting experience.
TonetoEdo
on Nov 1