8.Togakushi, Japan

 

Many people love ninja stories. Many people grown up together watching these ninja stories. Watching ninja stories where there are ninja Gakko (school) or training centre somehow makes you wonder whether this place really exist or not. Togakushi might be the place you really wanted to go.

Togakushi is situated in the north of Nagano within the Joshinetsu National Park just 45 minutes drive from Myoko City or Nagano City. This volcanic area has an altitude of 1,200m and is located at the foot of the two volcanoes, Togakushi and Iizuna. The village nestles amongst 900 year old cedars and is not only a beautiful place to visit but it's delicious soba noodles are also famous throughout Japan.

But the beautiful place and the delicious soba noodles is not the reason why people came to this place. It was the existence of a ninja village and ninja school. Togakushi was formerly known as the village of Togakure which some consider to be the birthplace of Togakure Ryu Ninpo - a school of ninjutsu founded eight hundred years ago by Daisuke Nishina (Togakure). Daisuke became the first Soke (family head) of one of the arts now known as ninjutsu. The name Togakure or Toh Gakure, means "Concealing Door" and refers to the myth of the door which sealed the cave that the sun goddess, Amaterasu had hidden in.

The local Togakushi Ninja Village (Togakushi Ninja Yashiki or Chibikko Ninja Mura) is not an actual village full of ninja or a place to study ninjutsu but rather a fun and popular place to visit with a ninja theme. It's open 9am-5pm (late April - late November) and closed Thursdays (except mid-July to late August). Admission for adults is 450yen and children (over 4) 200yen. Some group packages are available. There is another attraction nearby named Togakushi Ninja Karakuri Yashiki (Ninja Trick House) which is quite fun, although a bit more geared toward adults or older children. It's also open 9am-5pm. To get there catch the bus to Chusha-miya-mae and walk about 15 minutes.

Besides a Ninja Village, There is also a ninja museum in the village. Togakushiryu Ninpo Shiryokan is a former ninjutsu building now established as an annex to the Togakushi Minzokukan (Togakushi Museum). It's exhibits include 500 items related to ninjutsu and two hundred picture panels of ninjutsu practices.

For kids and adults alike who want a bit more reality in their ninjutsu, there is an actual Togakure Ryu Ninpo teacher available. The teacher has a gift shop at the foot of the Chu Sha, the "middle shrine" of the three great shrines of Togakushi. Lessons are Sunday nights from 8pm.

This place can be really entertaining especially for kids or adults who are the fans of everything that regarding to ninja. This is a place where our fantasy can become a reality especially for people who dream for it.