Ninja Costume Experience｜Terakoya of Japan

"Terakoya of Japan" experience course

Ninja Costume Experience

Become a Ninja yourself by wearing the traditional Japanese Ninja outfit.

The word NINJA has become increasingly popular internationally and recently it has become one of the most popular trends in the younger generation.

Ninja is uniquely Japanese and it represents the new Cool Japan.

What is a Ninja?

A Ninja or Shinobi was a covert agent, or mercenary in Japan. The functions of the Ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and combat in certain situations. Their covert methods of waging war contrasted the Ninja with the Samurai, who observed strict rules about honor and combat. The Shinobi proper, a specially trained group of spies and mercenaries appeared in the Sengoku or “Warring States” period in the 15th century, but antecedents may have existed in the 14 century and possibly in the 12th century.

The History Of The Ninja

In the unrest of the Sengoku period, mercenaries and spies for hire became active in the Iga Province and the adjacent area around the village of Koga, and it is from the area’s clans that much of our knowledge of the Ninja is drawn. Following the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Ninja faded into obscurity.

By the time of the Meiji Restoration, the tradition of the Shinobi had become a topic of popular imagination and mystery in Japan. Ninja figured prominently in folklore and legend and it is often difficult to separate fact from myth. Some legendary abilities purported to be in the province of Ninja training include invisibility, walking on water and control over the natural elements.

Ninja Training

The skills required of the Ninja has come to be known in modern times as Ninjutsu. The first specialized training began in the mid-15th century, when certain Samurai families started to focus on covert warfare, including espionage and assassination. Like the Samurai, Ninja were born into the profession, where traditions were kept in and passed down through the family. The Ninja was trained from childhood, as was also common in Samurai families. Outside the expected martial arts disciplines, a youth studied survival and scouting techniques, as well as information regarding poisons and explosives. Physical training was also important, which involved long distance runs, climbing, stealth methods of walking and swimming.

Ninja Disguises

The use of disguises is common and well documented. Disguises came in the form of priests, entertainers, fortune tellers, merchants, ronin and monks.

Ninja Weaponry

Although shorter swords and daggers were used, the Katana was the Ninja’s weapon of choice and was sometimes carried on the back. An array of darts, spikes, knives and sharp star-studded discs were known collectively as Shuriken. While not exclusive to the Ninja, they were an important part of the arsenal where they could be thrown in any direction.

Details	Try on a traditional Ninja costume and pose like a Ninja.
Location	Hanairaka in Imai-cho, Kashihara City. You can also stroll around the historic Imai-cho to complete the Ninja experience. Take a look at the Imai-cho Gallery.
Duration	About 1 hour - 1 hour and 30 minutes
Minimum Number of Participants	1-10 persons (details upon request)
Cost	Price upon request.
Transportation	Bus pick-up available (additional cost)
Remarks	We will provide the costume so come as you are.