There’s a Ninja in All of Us (Though Less in Others)

The towns of Nabari and Iga in Japan’s Mie prefecture aims to fulfill every man’s boyhood dream with a ninja training tour. Initially started to boost the economy, advertising can be seen in public transportations hoping to garner more tourists to visit the two towns known to have bred ninjas since the 15th century. For a mere 90 minutes, aspiring mercenaries can immerse themselves in Ninjutsu through 23 training stations in the forest covering tactics from espionage to physical hurdles. The full experience includes changing into a ninja wardrobe, throwing a real iron Shuriken or “throwing star,” wielding a katana, scaling walls and trees, and crossing rivers and ravines via ropes. After receiving their graduation certificate from the intense obstacle-course like training, tourists can observe the spiritual side of ninja training by praying under a waterfall, which could also be visited apart from the course along with the Iga Ninja Museum as local attractions.