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, lus1206 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.1147 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.951 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.857 views
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Ninja armored suit for protection against swords.819 views
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Shuriken target practice at the Shuriken Dojo in Koka Ninja Village, Shiga Prefecture. 手裏剣道場818 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.776 views
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Whoa, almost fell into the water!752 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.724 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.702 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.683 views
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Other activities.678 views
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Ninja's secret language. A codified system.671 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651 views
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Inside the ninja house. A hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom.649 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.638 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 1990.636 views
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Ninja house attic showing the thatched roof.635 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.624 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.624 views
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A pair of floating rings with a platform in the middle.623 views
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Ninja well with an escape tunnel which you can almost walk through.622 views
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Hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom. A tour guide shows you the gimmicks of the house.612 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.604 views
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Inside Koka Ninja Museum which opened in 1983. The dirt-floored room has various ninja ladders.594 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.586 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584 views
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Shigaraki tanuki racoon dogs.581 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: 0748-88-5000573 views
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Ninja dolls567 views
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).543 views
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Going through the trap door.542 views
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Roof with ninja family crest.529 views
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Shuriken Dojo Hall 手裏剣道場517 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515 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.506 views
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.496 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495 views
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Swinging down a rope.494 views
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.493 views
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Medicine packages from Koka ninja-related medicine companies. Even today, Koka has numerous medicine manufacturers.485 views
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Castle wall to climb on.482 views
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Path down to Koka Ninja Village. Lots of greenery. MAP473 views
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Wall to climb on467 views
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Shuriken Dojo has a few stalls. For a few hundred yen, you can throw real shuriken at wooden targets.461 views
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Shigaraki pottery lessons454 views
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Outdoor stage, where they hold events like the Miss Kunoichi Contest.433 views
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