Secrets of Ninjas X Samurais: Private History Tour to Iga & Koka
Description
Were Ninjas real? Weren't they just fantastical characters on movies and manga?? Explore the birthplaces of Ninjas and find out the trues behind the mysterious shadow warriors in Japan's history Visit Iga City, home of the famous Iga-School Ninja, and explore an authentic Ninja house with hidden gimmicks like flipping doors, secret passages, and hidden sword shelters installed You will also visit a samurai castle and see the real armors and katana-swords used by historical Shoguns in real battles and learn everything about Samurais As ninjas were originally from the mountains, all the ways we drive are surrounded by beautiful Japanese nature, get covered by cherryblossoms in spring and maple trees in Autumn, so you won't have time to blink •Air-conditioned van, fully private •Full-English guide with deep knowledge •Variety of different types of vists, but all related to Ninja Book now to reveal the secrets of ninjas and learn the spirits of Japan through ancient ninja's life!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Iga, located in the middle of the mountain area reached an hour from Kyoto by car, is a historical city known to be the home of Iga-Ryu (style) Ninjas. This museum is truly authentic, built by a real ninja master of the Iga clan, so the traditional Japanese rooms you enter, which seem normal, are installed full of tricks and gimmicks to fight against invaders. Secret flipping doors, hidden sword shelters, and hidden paths between rooms, all of them you can use and actually experience them like ninjas and learn how they fought are not only entertaining to all the kids but very practical and wisely thought to fight against the enemies. The museum also displays many weapons, armor and cultural things which real ninjas of the Iga clan used. *1 hour transfer from Kyoto included
Iga Ueno Castle is a beautiful castle located on the top of a hill in the center of Ueno City. This castle was originally built in 1585, the peak of the Japanese warring age, to be a fort-castle of Osaka Castle, after the original building, the guild house of Iga Ninjas, got burnt and destroyed by Shogun Oda. Even though it's a replica of the original one destroyed in the war, its fully wooden construction of the Japanese tradition brings tourists a time-slipping feel. Besides, its atmospheric wooden inside is a museum displaying many Samurai armor and weapons used by real Samurai Shoguns in wars.
Shogunzuka (Mound of Shogun), is located on the behind mountains of Gion, Kyoto's no.1 view spot to see the whole Kyoto city Nowadays, it's popular among local young Japanese couples, but historically, here has been a very important spot worshiped by Shoguns and the emperors
The most famous area in the world for Ninjas, where the area was independently run by Iga Ninja clan (伊賀衆). Even though half of the city got destroyed by the massive earthquakes 200 years ago, this historical city still remains many historical buildings and one of the oldest festival in Japan designated as UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage
One of 2 most famous areas/clans of Ninjas in history, Koka famous for ninjas who were expert at herbal mixing skills. Explore the area with the local expert as real ninjas who used to train hard in deep forests of Suzuka mountain range
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
A White Nissan Minivan (no.5115) will arrive at your hotel then you will be notified via E-mail, so please check your e-mail and look for the car Sometimes the car can't wait at the best position so please have a look around your hotel if you can't find it. This tour is operated even in rainy weather: If there is an unexpected delay or cancellation, you will be notified, otherwise, you can expect your car will come on time
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Some locations have stairs and need a little walk on rough grounds
- Itinerary may change or update by the season or other circumstances
Reviews(8)
Daiki was a great guide! We was able to adjust our tour on the fly (for example, we had an unexpected performance at Iga we wanted to see). The tour without him would not be as good, as he explained us things and helped with translating information that we would struggle otherwise. He went out of his way to adjust to our needs and make us have a more comfortable tour.
Daiki was a great guide! He is able to adjust to the visitors needs and accommodate them. Our tour had an unexpected performance at Iga and he was able to adjust the tour for us to be able to see it. He really went out of his way to make us confortable and enjoying the tour
Great day out to Iga to see a ninja house and samurai castle. We did an afternoon tour and didn’t get to see a ninja performance. Which was a shame we would have loved to see that especially. Museum was ok.
the drive with our tour guide Mr.Daiki Fukashi. was totally enjoyable. He is knowledgeable and we had a great time. Absolutely recommended.
We visited the ninja residence and saw the show, where we could participate in the exhibition. The show is in Japanese, but Daiki translated the explanations throughout. The kids had a great time (and the adults did, too). Then we visited Iga’s Ueno Castle and, taking advantage of the return trip, during which we could see in the car a documentary about the ninja, Daiki took us to see a waterfall deep in the Japanese forest (it was a bit scary, but it was fantastic). Daiki is a very nice Guide, good talker. Not only did he pick us up at the hotel on schedule and return us where we asked him promptly, but he stuck to our interests at all times (for example, we did not visit the ninja museum because the children did not feel like it and the excursion we had asked for them). I highly recommend it to those who seek to leave the usual route in Japan and to those interested in the world of ninja.
If you like historical hidden gems and amazing views, you have to take this tour! I can't thank enough Daiki for sharing his knowledge and time and showing me places that you only hear about!
Mr.Daiki is a knowledgable guide. He gave information about ninja and other aspects of Japan. Good trip. Wonderful memory.
Daiki is the most enthusiastic and amazing guide I have ever met. Fluent in English, culture and very kind, with him me and my 15 years old boys learned a lot about the History, Geography, ancient and modern habits of Japan. On this private tour, very comfortable (one of the tours we did with Daiki), we visited rural areas, tea plantations, as we follow the path of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa's 1562 escape, led by Ninja. We visited Iga City, a castle, and the houses where the Ninja hid, full of hiding places, secret passages, tunnels, revolving doors. My 15 year old children and I were surprised by all the information about the Ninja and the mastery they had of Science, Medicine, Health of the body and mind, agriculture... knowledge that is still used today in Japan, as is the case of medicinal herbs. Don't miss the opportunity of making this amazing tour, mainly if you're travelling with kids. You'll never forget it and you'll learn a lot.
