The temple contains 23 rooms and 29 staircases hidden behind rotating walls and floorboards.
The main gatehouse was designed with a lookout point to monitor approaching samurai forces.
A 'hidden' staircase is operated by a pedal that triggers a floor trap to drop unwanted visitors.
The building features 'dummy' hallways designed to dead-end or lead intruders into traps.
The temple was originally constructed in the Teramachi district to serve as a defensive buffer for the city.
The prayer room includes a slanted floor meant to prevent an enemy from easily standing to draw a sword.
The temple is not a ninja training ground, but a series of architectural deterrents built for the Maeda clan.
Myouryuji, commonly known as the Ninja Temple, is a 17th-century Buddhist temple belonging to the Nichiren sect, intentionally designed as a fortress for the Kaga Domain. Despite its moniker, the temple has no historical affiliation with actual ninja. The structure incorporates complex architectural defenses, including hidden trapdoors, secret corridors, and revolving lecterns to confuse intruders. The building features seven floors disguised within what appears from the outside to be a two-story structure. A deep, abandoned well is said to contain a secret tunnel allegedly connecting the temple to Kanazawa Castle. The temple was commissioned by the third lord of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshitsune, as a defensive outpost for the shogunate. Visitors are required to participate in a guided tour to navigate the complex layout and mechanisms safely. The interior design reflects the paranoia of the Edo period, prioritizing concealment and escape routes over typical temple aesthetics.
The exterior wooden facade and the traditional Japanese garden entrance.
Reservations are strictly mandatory for all visitors; do not attempt to arrive as a walk-in.
The guided tours are conducted primarily in Japanese, though some English supplementary materials are provided.
Wear comfortable, easy-to-slip-on socks as you will be required to remove your shoes frequently.
Do not show up without a confirmed reservation, as the temple operates exclusively by appointment.
Closed during the New Year period and for special local religious ceremonies.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple to protect the mechanisms and interior privacy. Maintain silence during the tour to ensure all guests hear the guide's instructions.
