 Most viewed - Koka Ninja Village 甲賀の里 忍術村 |
As a theme park, the Koka-no-Sato Ninjutsu-mura or Koka Ninja Village offers a good tourist sampling of ninja in a hidden village of former ninja houses transplanted to this "village." Entrance to Koka Ninja Village, tucked away in a hidden, lus1209 viewsEntrance to Koka Ninja Village, tucked away in a hidden, lush forest. Quite far from the nearest train station (Koka Station on the Kusatsu Line). You can call them from the train station to be picked up.
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The Mizugumo Water Spider Pond where you can walk on water. A few visitors, wearing ninja costumes, try it out.1150 views
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There he goes, not exactly walking on water. Just dragging himself across with the rope. This is only for anime-like amusement. This is not how the ninja did it.953 views
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The Ninja house (Ninja yashiki) is one of the main attractions of the Ninja Village. This was an actual ninja house belonging to the Fujibayashi ninja family. It was disassembled and transplanted here from Ohara Ichiba in Koka.860 views
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Ninja armored suit for protection against swords.822 views
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Shuriken target practice at the Shuriken Dojo in Koka Ninja Village, Shiga Prefecture. 手裏剣道場820 views
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Water spider (mizugumo): How the ninja did it. This drawing from the Koka Ninja House shows how it was done. The ninja sat on the board inside the wooden ring and waded through the water while partially submerged. His wooden clogs had small flippers.779 views
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Whoa, almost fell into the water!755 views
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Grab the rope and step into the foot rings. Of course, ninja never wore a bright red costume. You can rent a ninja suit in various colors for 600 yen.727 views
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Koka Ninja Museum also has showcases with various ninja costumes, documents, weapons, etc. The museum is kind of rundown though.705 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.686 views
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Other activities.681 views
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Ninja's secret language. A codified system.674 views
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Shinobi Shrine is what you first see. Worships all the nameless ninja who died. The ninja never tried to gain fame. They remained unknown. 志能備神社654 views
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Inside the ninja house. A hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom.652 views
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Tools for making medicine (including gunpowder). Many Koka (Koga) ninja were medicine makers. It was a disguise and a means to gather information from people when they went around selling medicines. Koka ninja were always in contact with the local people.641 views
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Honolulu Advertiser newspaper from Hawaii featuring a photo of a ninja from Koka who performed at Ala Moana Shopping Center in 1990.639 views
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Ninja house attic showing the thatched roof.638 views
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Ninja looked at a cat's eyes to find out what time it was. If the iris was almost closed, it was noon. If dilated, it was late at night. Must've been troublesome to find and snatch a cat to find out what time it was.628 views
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Map of Japan showing numerous ninja schools which existed during the feudal era. Iga-Ueno and Koga ninja were the most famous.628 views
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A pair of floating rings with a platform in the middle.626 views
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Ninja well with an escape tunnel which you can almost walk through.625 views
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Hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom. A tour guide shows you the gimmicks of the house.615 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.608 views
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Inside Koka Ninja Museum which opened in 1983. The dirt-floored room has various ninja ladders.597 views
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Giant Buddha's hand. Used in a 1982 ninja movie. The hand has the same scale as the Giant Buddha's hand in Nara's Todaiji temple.589 views
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Shinobi Shrine has a statue of Daikokuten, one of the seven gods of good fortune. He is worshipped for good marriage, food, and prosperity. Made during the early Edo Period, it's Japan's largest wooden statue of Daikokuten. 大黒天587 views
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Shigaraki tanuki racoon dogs.584 views
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Path to Koka Ninjutsu-mura Village. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults. Cheaper for students. Open 10 am - 5 pm. Free shuttle bus available from JR Koka Station. Phone: 0748-88-5000576 views
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Ninja dolls570 views
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).546 views
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Going through the trap door.544 views
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Roof with ninja family crest.532 views
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Shuriken Dojo Hall 手裏剣道場520 views
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Next to the Ninja house is the Koka Ninja Museum (Koka Ninjutsu Hakubutsukan). This was also a fomer house transplanted here. 甲賀忍術博物館518 views
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The Ninja house was built in 1842. There is a guide (dressed in ninja costume) inside to show you around.509 views
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.499 views
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Monument for Sarutobi Sasuke, a famous Koga ninja who was born in Koka. However, he was only fictional character. Ninjas never tried to become famous. 猿飛佐助の碑498 views
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Swinging down a rope.496 views
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.496 views
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Medicine packages from Koka ninja-related medicine companies. Even today, Koka has numerous medicine manufacturers.488 views
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Castle wall to climb on.485 views
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Path down to Koka Ninja Village. Lots of greenery. MAP476 views
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Wall to climb on470 views
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Shuriken Dojo has a few stalls. For a few hundred yen, you can throw real shuriken at wooden targets.464 views
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Shigaraki pottery lessons457 views
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Outdoor stage, where they hold events like the Miss Kunoichi Contest.436 views
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