Kanazawa · Teramachi
Myoryuji Temple
A temple of the Nichiren school. Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga domain, set up a prayer temple inside Kanazawa Castle, and in 1643 his son, the third lord Maeda Toshitsune, moved it and rebuilt it outside the castle. Relations with the shogunate were tense at the time, and according to the tourism office the temple also served as a forward fort against a possible attack.
From the outside it looks like a two-story building, but inside there are four stories divided into seven levels, 23 rooms and 29 staircases. The offering box at the entrance is also a pitfall trap, hidden stairs appear when you lift floorboards, and on the roof stands a lookout tower with glass windows, which according to the city was also used to signal the castle with light. It is said that the well in the center of the building leads to an underground passage to the castle.
The nickname 'Ninja Temple' comes from the traps and the confusing layout. You can enter only on a guided tour of about 40 minutes, and only with a phone reservation in advance. The explanations inside the temple are in Japanese only.
Good to know
- Children in grades 1 to 3 are asked for a document that proves their age.
- Photography inside the temple is not allowed.
- Closing days are not published in advance on the tourism website. Check when you call to book.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Myoryuji Temple.
- HereMyoryuji Temple
- ~4 min
Nishi Chaya District Street
The teahouse district across the Saigawa River, which the domain also set up in 1820. Inside it is the Nishi Chaya Museum, a restored teahouse with belongings of the writer Shimada Seijiro, free and open daily 09:30-17:00.
- ~4 min
Amanatto Kawamura Shopping
A shop selling amanatto, candied beans, in the Nishi Chaya district since 2001. According to the shop, it uses no bleaching agents, food coloring or preservatives, and this is its only shop. Right next to it is the cafe Salon de The Kawamura.
- ~5 min
Rakugan Moroeya Nishi Chaya Karyo Ajiwai Cafe
The shop and teahouse of the rakugan sweet maker Moroeya, in the Nishi Chaya district. Seasonal sweets with matcha.
- ~6 min
Muro Saisei Memorial Museum More to see
A museum in memory of the poet and novelist Muro Saisei, a native of Kanazawa. ¥310, free up to high school.
- ~9 min
Kanazawa Oden Akadama Honten Food
An oden restaurant in Katamachi since 1927, across the bridge over the Saigawa River. Oden from ¥110 a piece. You can book online or by phone, and if the oden runs out they close early.
Appears in: Kanazawa: Omicho Market, the geisha district, Kenroku-en Garden and gold leaf