Discover the Secrets of Ninja Karakuri Yashiki: A Hidden Maze of Tricks in Togakushi
Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's premier entertainment districts, is home to numerous restaurants and traditional drinking establishments. The area is also characterized by its business district, featuring towering skyscrapers including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Shinjuku Station, bustling with people throughout the year, holds the Guinness World Record for "the world's busiest train station."
Shinjuku is a popular tourist destination due to its excellent transportation access, featuring attractions like the verdant Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, long-established department stores, and cutting-edge commercial facilities showcasing the latest trends.
Today, we'll introduce you to the "Ninja Karakuri Yashiki" (Ninja Trick House), an exciting tourist spot located in Kabuki-cho, Tokyo's largest entertainment district.
Ninja Karakuri Yashiki: A Unique Interactive Experience in Shinjuku
The Ninja Karakuri Yashiki in Kabuki-cho is an entertainment facility dedicated to ninja culture, which fascinates visitors from around the world. Once you step into this atmospheric yashiki (traditional Japanese house), you'll forget you're in the heart of Tokyo's busiest entertainment district.
Visitors can enjoy authentic ninja training experiences, including practicing with shuriken (throwing stars) and Japanese swords in the dojo. Beyond the physical activities, knowledgeable guides dressed as ninja provide detailed explanations about the ninja world, making it an educational experience. Instructions are available in 16 languages, including English, Chinese, and French, ensuring everyone can enjoy the experience regardless of their Japanese language ability.
What is a Ninja?
Source: Yahoo! News
A ninja was a practitioner of ninjutsu, a specialized set of skills and techniques. They operated as spies, infiltrating enemy territories to gather intelligence and launch attacks. Ninja were also known to spread misinformation to confuse their enemies.
Due to their covert nature, ninja typically wore black clothing to blend into the darkness of night. These highly trained warriors were most active during the Muromachi period (1336-1568) through the Edo period (1600-1868).
Ninja Karakuri Yashiki (Ninja Trick House) Is a Hit Among Tourists! Our Writer Explains Its Popularity Based on First-hand Experience
With Authentic Experience Content That Makes You Feel Like a Real Ninja
Source: Official website
The Ninja Karakuri Yashiki's popularity stems from offering an authentic ninja experience that's rare to find in Tokyo's bustling entertainment districts.
Unlike merely watching a ninja show, this attraction features many interactive physical activities that make you feel like a real ninja. The venue's various surprises and karakuri (mechanical tricks) make it appealing to both children and adults alike.
Including ninja experiences and photo opportunities, the entire visit takes about an hour, making it perfect to fit into your Shinjuku sightseeing schedule!
Foreign tourists particularly enjoy the shuriken throwing and sword technique experiences, which are detailed below.
Iron Shuriken Throwing Experience
Source: Official website
"Shuriken" are palm-sized weapons used to attack distant enemies. These iconic ninja weapons might be familiar to you from Japanese movies and comics.
At the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki, you can experience throwing real iron shuriken at targets. It's quite challenging to make them stick, which keeps even adults thoroughly engaged.
The experience is adapted with different sizes and methods according to age, making it safe and enjoyable even for young children.
Experience Traditional Japanese "Kenjutsu" Swordsmanship
Source: Official website
At the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki, you can experience "nukiuchi" - a sword technique where you quickly draw your sword and strike your opponent. After watching a demonstration by staff members who embody real ninja, you'll start your practical training.
You'll draw the sword from your waist and strike a dummy target with full force. Swinging the sword downward delivers an exhilarating experience.
While real Japanese swords aren't used for safety reasons, the practice swords are the same size as authentic ones, providing a genuine experience.
Enjoy an Intimate Experience with Small Group Sessions
Source: Official website
One of the most appealing aspects of the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki is that each session is limited to small groups. Each experience accommodates 2-6 participants, with a maximum of 8 people even during peak times.
The small group setting makes it easy to communicate with the guide, allowing visitors to freely ask questions about anything that interests them.
Take time to listen to fascinating explanations about topics that even many Japanese people aren't familiar with, such as the differences between ninjas and samurai, and the secret tools used by ninja. There's also a demonstration of "Kuji goshin-bou," a prayer ritual performed using both hands. Feel free to try it yourself by following the guide's movements!
Comprehensive Tourist-Friendly Services Available Even Without Japanese Language Skills
Source: Tokyo City
The Ninja Karakuri Yashiki is accessible to non-Japanese speakers. Most exhibits and instructions are available in English, Chinese, and Korean, and guides provide English explanations. Before the experience, visitors can learn about ninja missions through translated animations.
There are plenty of opportunities for photos and videos, with guides suggesting the best moments to capture them, ensuring unforgettable memories of your Japan trip.
The official website features instructional videos about ninja tools and sword techniques, which can enhance your experience if viewed beforehand.
Three Important Points When Visiting the Ninja Trick House
Advance Reservation Required
It's recommended to make a reservation before visiting the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki. While same-day admission is possible if there are vacancies, each time slot is limited to a maximum of 8 people, so booking in advance is essential if you have a preferred time.
Reservations can be made through the dedicated form on the official website, which includes an English version for convenience. While cancellations are possible, please note that a 100% cancellation fee applies if cancelled within three days of the reserved date.
Safety Warning: Failure to Follow Rules May Result in Injury
Due to the interactive nature of this ninja facility, unauthorized actions are strictly prohibited. Since participants will handle metal shurikens and full-sized replica Japanese swords, ignoring the rules could result in injury.
When participating in shared time slots with other visitors at the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki, please be considerate of others. Listen carefully to the staff instructions and follow the facility rules to enjoy your experience safely!
Admission Fee Required - No Free Viewing
The Ninja Karakuri Yashiki is a paid admission experience facility. Please note that even if you only wish to observe without participating in the ninja activities, free entry is not permitted.
For safety reasons, children under 18 cannot enter without adult supervision. Even if accompanying adults do not participate in the ninja experience, regular admission fees still apply. Children under 2 years old enter free.
Please refer to the information below for detailed admission fees.
Access to Ninja Karakuri Yashiki
Address: 4F Daiichi Wakou Building, 2-28-13 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
Access: 5-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station / 8-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station East Exit
Operating Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm (Last entry 4:00pm)
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Phone: 03-6457-3337
Admission Fees:
- Age 18 and above: ¥3,980
- Ages 4-17: ¥3,500
- Ages 2-3: ¥1,500
Official Website: https://ninja-trick-house.com/en/
3 Japanese Cultural Facilities Both Adults and Children Can Enjoy Along with the Ninja Karakuri Yashiki
Samurai Museum
Source: Official website
If you're interested in ninja culture, you might also be fascinated by samurai! The Samurai Museum in Kabukicho offers various exciting experiences, making it a perfect companion visit to the ninja karakuri yashiki (mechanical house). Here's what you can enjoy:
- Exhibition of samurai armor (kacchu), antique Japanese swords, and matchlock guns
- Informative panels about samurai history
- Photo opportunities wearing helmets (kabuto) and battle surcoats (jinbaori) (samurai costumes)
- Combat shows featuring Japanese swords
- Traditional Japanese musical instrument performances
- Workshops on calligraphy and Japanese swords
The museum provides explanations in English, Chinese, and Korean. Don't miss their gift shop featuring authentic Japanese souvenirs with samurai and warrior themes.
Currently closed for renovation. Please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.
Address: 2-25-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku
Hours (Currently closed): 10:30am-9:00pm (Last entry 8:30pm) / Saturdays until 8:00pm (Last entry 7:30pm)
Closed: Open daily
Phone: 03-6457-6411
Admission: Ages 12+ ¥1900 / Under 12 ¥800 / Under 3 Free
Official website: https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/
Somenosato Ochiai Futaba-en
Source: Official website
Somenosato Ochiai Futaba-en is a facility where you can observe traditional Japanese dyeing techniques used for kimono. The Edo dyeing (Edo senshoku) technique, which developed during the Edo period (1600-1868), created various patterns and color combinations that enhanced kimono culture.
One of the highlights is the dyeing experience workshop where visitors can dye bags and T-shirts. Creating vibrant seasonal designs on fabric is a unique experience you can only have here. You can take your finished works home as special souvenirs.
If you're not participating in the dyeing workshop, you can observe the workshop from outside free of charge. It's worth stopping by while exploring other attractions like the nearby ninja karakuri yashiki!
Address: 2-3-6 Kamiochiai Kabukicho, Shinjuku
Hours: 11:00am-5:00pm
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-3368-8133
Official website: https://www.ochiai-san.com/
Shinjuku Suehiro-tei
Source: Official website
Shinjuku Suehiro-tei is one of Tokyo's traditional "yose" entertainment halls. Like a karakuri yashiki (mechanical ghost house) that surprises visitors with its ingenious tricks, a yose delights audiences with traditional Japanese performing arts such as manzai (comedy duos) and rakugo (comic storytelling). There are only four such venues in Tokyo, and Shinjuku Suehiro-tei stands out with its retro wooden architecture that preserves the atmosphere of old Japan, making it especially popular among foreign tourists who feel like they've stepped into the world of ancient ninja stories.
Even if you don't understand Japanese, you can fully enjoy the atmosphere through visual performances like kamikiri (paper cutting art) and magic shows that transcend language barriers.
You're welcome to bring your own food, so we recommend picking up a bento box from nearby shops. However, please note that bringing alcoholic beverages is not permitted.
Come and experience this beloved form of Japanese entertainment that has been cherished for generations!
Address: 3-6-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Show Times:
Afternoon Session: 12:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Evening Session: 4:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Closed: December 30th and 31st
Phone: 03-3351-2974
Official Website: https://www.suehirotei.com/
