bansensyukai

Overview

A ninja experience facility opened in August 2025 in Iga. Enjoy learning, experiencing, tasting, and staying — all in one place.

Named after the Bansenshukai, a definitive Edo-period compendium of Iga and Koga ninjutsu. It conveys ninja wisdom and techniques through modern experiences.

The concept is “seishin” — using ninjutsu for the benefit of people and society. Fun for children and adults alike.

Spatial design by Takanori Aiba. The entrance features the municipally designated “Naruse Heima Family Nagayamon” gate.

In addition to attractions, restaurant, and shop, a lodging called “Inyoyado” accommodates up to 3 groups per day. A new landmark for Iga tourism.

Features and Highlights

Bansenshukai offers its ninja experiences in two distinct tracks: the Knowledge Course and the Practical Course. Each serves a different purpose, catering to everyone from history enthusiasts to those wanting full hands on training.

Knowledge Course: Makankutsu Tour

The Knowledge Course, known as the Makankutsu Tour, is a walk through attraction designed to resemble underground caves where ninja secretly trained.

Participants put on helmets and navigate through dim passages, narrow corridors, and suspension bridges while listening to an audio guide on their smartphones. Surrounded by atmospheric effects that feel like stepping directly into a secret training ground, visitors learn about the teachings and wisdom recorded in the historic Bansenshukai text.

The tour takes about 20 minutes, making it an accessible and lighthearted introduction for first time visitors.

Practical Course: Ninshuden

For those seeking an authentic training session, the Ninshuden course is the ideal choice. Participants change into ninja attire (shinobi shozoku) and learn the fundamentals of ninjutsu under the direct guidance of a chunin (instructor).

The program covers 8 to 12 skills selected from 45 classic techniques. Guests get to practice throwing shuriken (throwing stars), fire tactics, disguise, and climbing techniques, discovering how ninja used their minds and bodies.

This comprehensive session lasts about two hours. Upon completion, participants receive an official Certificate of Completion (Ninshuden Shuryosho). Mastered skills are logged, encouraging returning visitors to build on their ninja credentials over time.

For safety reasons, the practical training is open to guests who are elementary school age or older and at least 110 cm tall. Advance reservations are required.

Gift Shop: Bansendo

Located on the second floor, Bansendo offers a wide selection of original ninja gear, local Iga traditional crafts, and regional specialties. It is a great spot to find memorable keepsakes or gifts to take home.

Dining

Located on the top floor of the facility, the restaurant Iga Ninja Kyozen is open for both lunch and dinner. It welcomes all visitors, not just overnight guests, offering creative cuisine built around local Iga produce.

The kitchen sources ingredients locally whenever possible, including famous Iga beef, Iga rice, Toyosa pork, seasonal vegetables, miso, and soy sauce. The dishes highlight the distinct flavors of the region. Blessed with exceptionally pure natural spring water, the Iga area is also well known for producing excellent local sake.

For example, the signature Iga Castle Ninja Nabe hotpot is served in a custom Iga ware earthenware pot modeled after a traditional Japanese castle. These thoughtful presentation details let guests enjoy regional craftsmanship through sight as well as taste.

Overnight guests also enjoy complimentary free flowing beverages during dinner, providing a wonderful opportunity to pair local sakes with their meal at an unhurried pace.

Accommodation: Onmyojyuku

Bansenshukai features Onmyojyuku, an exclusive lodging facility limited to just three guest parties per day. Rather than ending the trip after a day of activities, guests can fully immerse themselves in Iga’s atmosphere overnight. Guided by the concept that “A ninja learns by day and reaches completion by night,” it offers a rare opportunity to spend the night as a true operative.

Designed around the theme of a secret ninja hideaway, the guest rooms feel completely distinct from standard hotels. As of July 2026, two of the three rooms (Room 1 and Room 3) are open for guest bookings. Room rates start from 70,000 yen per night for two guests sharing a room.

Located right in the historic castle town of Iga Ueno, the inn makes it easy to explore nearby attractions such as Iga Ueno Castle, the Ninja Museum, and traditional townscapes before or after checking in.

Baths and Sauna

Every room at Onmyojyuku includes a private sauna and an outdoor pottery bath (tsuboyu).

Because each sauna is completely private to the room, guests can relax without worrying about others around you. It is an ideal way to unwind, sweat out the day’s excitement, and refresh mind and body after a day of training or sightseeing.

After warming up in the sauna, step outside to soak in the open air pottery bath. The airy outdoor environment offers a peaceful setting to melt away travel fatigue.

Guest Rooms

• Room 1: Accommodates up to 2 guests, featuring a two story layout equipped with single beds.
• Room 3: Accommodates up to 3 guests, featuring a two story layout equipped with semi double beds. (When booked for 3 guests, the third guest shares existing bedding.)

Bedding is custom crafted by a renowned domestic manufacturer to ensure a deep, restorative sleep.

The room amenities include organic shampoos and body products made by Kimura Soap, an established local company based right in Iga City, offering guests a direct touchpoint with regional craftsmanship.

With so few total rooms, the facility provides an exceptionally quiet, spacious environment tailored to every guest.

Special Experiences

Bansenshukai is far more than a simple photo spot where visitors just dress up in costumes. It offers an immersive ninja experience in the truest sense.

The entire complex takes its foundation from the historical text Bansenshukai. By drawing directly from these authentic historical roots, the facility aims to pass down not just physical techniques, but the deeper philosophy and mindset that guided historic shinobi.

The central pillar of this philosophy is seishin, the commitment to using ninjutsu constructively for others and society. Engaging with these core values gives visitors a genuine appreciation of historical ninja culture.

By pairing the Knowledge Course, where guests navigate cave like chambers reflecting the world of the ancient manual, with the Practical Course led by active instructors, the complex balances history, culture, and active participation.

Adding an overnight stay at Onmyojyuku completes the journey, letting you enjoy meals, lodging, and private baths within the same unified atmosphere. Touching on the local culinary scene, history, and community makes the entire trip memorable.

While same day slots are sometimes available for training activities, advance reservations are recommended. Because most programs are hosted indoors, it is also a great option on rainy days.

Conveniently located just a 1 minute walk from Ueno-shi Station on the Iga Railway, the facility serves as a convenient hub for exploring Iga Ueno Castle and the surrounding castle town.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, traveling with family, or visiting from abroad, Bansenshukai stands out as an exciting cultural destination for travelers of all generations.

Plan List

Access

29 Uenomaruno-uchi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture 518-0873, Japan

By Car

From the Tokyo area: Take the Tomei Expressway, Isewangan Expressway, and Higashi-Meihan Expressway in succession, then exit at “Nakase IC” on the Meihan National Route. Approximately 10 minutes via National Route 163.

From the Kansai area: Take the Hanshin Expressway or Kinki Expressway and Nishi-Meihan Expressway in succession, then exit at “Ueno IC” on the Meihan National Route. Approximately 10 minutes via National Route 368 and other roads.

By Public Transportation

From the Tokyo area: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to “Nagoya Station,” transfer to a Kintetsu Line limited express, and change to the Iga Railway at “Iga-Kambe Station.” Get off at “Ueno-shi Station” and walk approximately 5–10 minutes.

From the Kansai area: Change to the Iga Railway at “Iga-Kambe Station” on the Kintetsu Osaka Line, and get off at “Ueno-shi Station.” Walk approximately 5–10 minutes. (*If using JR, change to the Iga Railway at “Iga-Ueno Station” on the Kansai Main Line and get off at “Ueno-shi Station.”)

Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions