Is there anything cooler than a ninja? Yes! Going to an entire theme park that’s based on ninjas! Oshino Shinobi no Sato (Ninja Village) is a theme park located at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan where visitors can learn about ninjas and even become one for a day!
The ninja (“one who is invisible”) and shinobi (“one who sneaks”) were real-life warriors dating back to feudal Japan. During warfare, ninja and shinobi acted as mercenaries, covert agents, and guerilla soldiers. The ninja and shinobi rose to prominence in the 15th-century Sengoku period. Jizamurai (“warrior peasants”) in the Iga province and Koka District created ikki (“revolts”) against much of the conflict occurring around them.
As the martial abilities of the ninja and shinobi grew, they hired themselves as stealth agents, excelling at surveillance. Ninjas and shinobi began to disappear after the unification of Japan through the Tokugawa Shogunate during the 17th century, but tales and legends of the shadow warriors have persisted ever since. Whew! Now that the history lesson is over, we can dive into what ninjas are up to today!
Everyone knows how cool ninjas and shinobi are. Look at how popular they’ve become! Countless movies, books, video games, and anime have all featured the agile warriors (although much of their allure is now steeped in fantasy.) Today, ninjas and shinobi are the stuff of legends, possessing the ability to become invisible, run across water, and even control the elements. As cool as all that is, it’s highly unlikely real-life ninja and shinobi ran around like Naruto.
Oshino Shinobi no Sato is a theme park in Yamanashi Prefecture. Located at the base of Mt. Fuji, it is an immersive and educational theme park based on the ninja and shinobi, presenting visitors with a whole village to explore. As if going to a ninja village wasn’t cool enough, you’re even allowed to dress up like a ninja while you’re there!
All the activities in Ninja Village are suitable for all ages, so there is no need to worry about mature or violent content for younger visitors. The park also accommodates non-Japanese speakers, so it’s entirely okay for tourists to visit! While the ninja park doesn’t have traditional thrill rides like nearby Fuji Q Highland, it more than makes up for it in authentic Japanese history and culture (which is still really cool.)
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Ever wanted to watch a real ninja show off their ninja skills? Oshino Shinobi no Sato offers many live demonstrations involving martial arts displays and weapons showcasing. All the park demonstrators are highly trained professionals who can perform their feats safely. That being said, watching live demonstrations from actual ninjas and learning about them is a significant draw for the park.
If watching real ninjas isn’t enough, you can even learn how to wield shuriken and swords yourself (with plastic weapons, of course.) Think you’re as crafty as a ninja? Then check out the ninja-themed maze! There’s also a guard tower to climb so that you can feel as if you’re genuinely protecting the village.
A large and tranquil garden to explore is available for ninja guests who prefer quieter afternoons. Ninja Village offers both action and beauty to its guests, so there is always something for everyone to enjoy when visiting.
Japan is rife with culture and tradition, much of which extends back centuries. Oshino Shinobi no Sato is a fun, family-friendly theme park and a piece of living history. Despite the fantastic elements attributed to ninjas and shinobi today, they were real people who lived in authentic villages.
It’s exciting to learn about how the ninjas operated and fought and experience firsthand how they lived. Did we mention the real-life ninja demonstrations, the weapon training, and the ninja maze?
If you’re a fan of ninja, then this park is worth your time and effort to experience. Also, if you travel near Mt. Fuji and want to experience a piece of traditional Japanese history, Oshino Shinobi no Sato is the place for you. If you’re interested in both, the Ninja Village theme park is the perfect place to test your ninja skills!
Are there any specific ninjas and shinobi that you like best? What video games or movies do ninja do the best justice? Tell us what you like most about ninja and if you’ve visited Oshino Shinobi no Sato! We’d love to hear from you!
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