ABOUT NINJAS, NINJYUTSU, WEAPONS, LIFESTYLE｜INTRODUCING EVENTS TO EXPERIENCE NINJA IN MIE PREFECTURE!

1. ABOUT NINJAS

2. MARTIAL ARTS, NINJYUTSU, WEAPONS OF THE NINJAS.
3. NINJA OUTFITS AND LIFESTYLE
4. ABOUT KUNOICHI
5. EXPERIENCE THE NINJA IN MIE PREFECTURE
6. Strolling around the castle town dressed in a ninja costume
7. NINJYUTSU EXPERIENCE IN A NINJA HOUSE
Summary

Ninjas mastered the use of weapons as a form of self-defense, and were able to utilize bows, firearms, and grenades as well as shuriken, makibishi, and chain sickles- all of which were unique to them. Moreover, ninjas generally use swords as their main weapon. It was not only used for attacking, but also as a foothold to climb walls.

When you hear the word "ninjyutsu," you might probably imagine superhuman techniques such as flying, disappearing, or altering one's appearance, as seen in manga. While these are not entirely fictional, ninjas were not physically able to fly or disappear. However, ninjas were able to leap as if they were flying. Ninjas were trained from an early age, improving their muscular and mental strengths, and mastering how to control their body and proper breathing.

During peacetime, ninjas posed as farmers, but they would still train themselves in preparation for emergencies. When ninjas would go to work, it is said that they changed their appearance from that of mountain monks, merchants and minstrels, and they traveled in disguise. Ninjas sometimes lived among the people of the city to conduct espionage activities while pretending to be a commoner of the enemy’s region for several years to several decades.

A female ninja is called a “kunoichi”. Kunoichi are skilled in espionage and are said to have used a technique called “Joton”, which is used to steal confidential information from important people by sending a woman on their guard.

In Ninja Henshin dokoro (Ninja Transformation spot) in Danjiri Kaikan in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, the home of the Iga-style ninja, ninja costumes are available for rent, and visitors can change into them and stroll around the ninja houses and castle towns.

Also, in Iga-ryu Ninja Museum in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, a ninja or a kunoichi will guide you through the Karakuri House (Ninja house), where you can also have a first-hand experience of throwing shuriken.

In Danjiri Kaikan which is located in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, exhibits three Danjiri that were paraded during the Ueno Tenjin Festival, an autumn festival held every October at Ueno Tenjingu Shrine. It also displays the parade of demons, a rare occurrence in Japan. The images projected on the large screen are so impressive that you can enjoy the atmosphere of the festival at any time.

You can rent ninja costumes at Ninja Henshin dokoro (Ninja Transformation spot), where you can find a variety of colorful ninja costumes for children and adults. You can also leave the clothes to us, so you can stroll around the ninja houses and the castle town after changing into the ninja costumes.

The Iga-ryu Ninja Museum is located in Ueno Park. Ueno Park is about a 10-minute drive from the Ueno-Higashi Interchange on the Meihan National Highway, making it convenient to access by a car. It is also a 5-minute walk from Uenoshi Station on the Iga Railway, making it easily accessible using public transportation.

In Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, a ninja or a kunoichi will demonstrate and guide you through the ninja house, which is full of trickery such as a revolving wall, trapdoors, and hidden stairs. In addition, the ninja demonstration illustrates the use of weapons and tools that were used by ninjas is very impressive as you watch the actual show right before your eyes.

Although there is no longer ninja in today's peaceful Japan, there are still people who pass on the history and cultures of ninjas. You can try to learn more about the ninjas at the ninja experience events in Mie Prefecture.