Myoryuji — Ninja Temple
A 17th-century temple with 29 staircases, 23 rooms, hidden corridors, secret rooms, trapdoors, and a well connecting to an escape tunnel. Built as a samurai watchtower by the Maeda clan disguised as a temple to avoid Tokugawa suspicion. Guided tours (mandatory) reveal one hidden device after another.
1 hour
¥1,200
Tours: 9:00–16:30 (9:00–16:00 late Nov–early Mar); advance reservation required by phone.
Year-round
10 min taxi from Kanazawa Station
Location
Why Visit
- 1
29 staircases and 23 rooms crammed into a building that appears single-storey from the outside
- 2
A hidden well connects to an escape tunnel running under the city — guides actually show it
- 3
Must be booked in advance — mandatory guided tours only (no self-guided visits)
Local Tips
Entry is strictly by advance reservation — the temple will not allow walk-ins. The interior has 29 staircases, 23 rooms, hidden rooms, trap doors, and a secret tunnel — designed to protect the lord from assassination. The tour takes 40 minutes and is conducted in Japanese only (written English guide provided). One of Kanazawa's most unique experiences.
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