Ninja-dera is a Buddhist temple
located about 0.3 km southeast of Nishi-Chaya district, and the formal
name is Myoryuuji.
Ninja is a spy or an assassin serving a Japanese feudal lord
in the 15-19th centuries. They used various techniques to creep into
the target place and evade their pursuers.
This temple had no Ninja, but it has various tricks and traps like
Ninja.
In 1643, Toshitsune Maeda, the the 3rd lord of Kaga Clan, was built
this temple here.
But his aim was to set up the protection facilities of Kanazawa city
without the knowledge of Edo Government.
He built many Buddhist temples around this area unsuspectedly, and he
put not only priests but also many samurais in the temples to prepare
for emergencies.
And this Myoryuuji was the central temple, and it was a fort.
This temple is seemingly ordinary.
And it looks like two-story building, but it has four floors. (Edo
Government had prohibited construction of building with more than three
stories.)
And there is an inconspicuous lookout to overwatch on the top of the
roof.
There is a well in the center of the site, and the tunnels for escape
from all rooms lead to this well.
And many secret compartments and pitfalls are set up to different parts
of the temple.
In addition, it has been said that there is a tunnel leading to
Kanazawa Castle from this temple. But it still is not found.
To tour inside of this temple, we must join its guide tour. Little
children cannot join it. And, taking photos is not permitted in this
temple.
(If you tour this temple by oneself, it is said that you may not come
back safely.)
Additionally we have to have an appointment to join the tour.
It takes about 40 minutes to tour.
Get on a route bus at track No 7,
8 or 9 in front of Kanazawa station.
To Hirokoji stop, about 10 minutes. About 5 minutes walk from there.
About 2 km from Kanazawa Castle Park.
![]() Photo by Kanazawa City Tourism Association |
![]() Photo by Kanazawa City Tourism Association |
![]() Photo by Kanazawa City Tourism Association |
![]() Photo by Kanazawa City Tourism Association |
Kenrokuen
Kanazawa Castle
Park
Oyama Shrine
Kaga Yuzen Center
Kanazawa Noh
Museum
Nagamachi district
Higashi-Chaya
district
Kazuemachi-Chaya
district
Nishi-Chaya district
Ninja-dera
Seisonkaku
Nata-dera
Kaga onsen
resorts
Mt.Hakusan
Wakura onsen
Wajima
Oku-Noto