Tourism Ninja-themed tours popular among foreign tourists

[thomas]

Myth or historical reality, ninja -themed tours and destinations prove increasingly popular among "inbound tourists": Iga City in Mie Prefecture made a tourism breakthrough about ten years ago by creating a ninja-themed, public-private sector package tour that has proved immensely popular with foreign visitors. Another famous ninja destination is Koka in Shiga Prefecture .

Malaysian tourists in Iga

Iga Railway Co.'s Ninja Train, designed by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto (photo credit: Yomiuri Shimbun)​

On 24 September, a group of tourists from Malaysia visited the city's Ninja Museum of Igaryu. Members of the about 30-strong group, including a bank employee and a university student, expressed enthusiasm while throwing shuriken ninja stars at a wall. Frankie Kong, 26, a first-time visitor to Japan from Kuala Lumpur, said: "I learned about ninja from Japanese anime. I'm happy to be able to experience such ninja techniques." The tour, which lasts two days with an overnight stay, allows participants to spend a night in the Misugi Resort hotel in Tsu City, and take them by bus between various sites, including the museum. The tour also includes a ride on Iga Railway Co. train cars decorated with illustrations of ninja, and a visit to a ninja show featuring Ashura, The Iga Ninja Group.

The ninja package plan began in April 2013. Initially, tourist office officials were concerned that visitors might be hesitant to travel on unfamiliar routes while dressed in ninja costumes. However, such fears were soon dispelled. In fact, foreign participants quickly embraced the playful elements of the tour. For example, when they check into the Misugi Resort hotel, they receive missho "secret letters," spelling out tasks and how to behave as a ninja. As of spring 2020, a total of about 16,800 people from such countries as Italy, France, Spain, Thailand and Singapore had taken part in the tour, exceeding organizers' expectations. The tour was temporarily suspended due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, but resumed in October 2022, with more than 1,500 people booking tickets for the then upcoming six-month period.

Ninja-themed Tour Proves Hit Among Overseas Visitors in Japan’s Mie Prefecture

IGA, Mie — Iga City in Mie Prefecture is known for its ninja warriors who were active during the Sengoku period (late 15th century to late 16th century).

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp