An Illustrated Japan / Saga / Culture & Tradition

Hizen Yume Kaidō (Ninja Village)

Also written: 肥前夢街道（忍者村） · 肥前梦街道（忍者村）

A theme park in Ureshino Onsen that recreates the Edo-period Nagasaki Kaidō; ninja experiences, including shuriken-throwing, are very popular with international families.

Saga Kyushu-Okinawa Culture & Tradition

About this place

Hizen Yume Kaido (Saga Former Ninja Village) is Kyushu's only ninja-themed park, located near Ureshino Onsen, opened January 2, 1990 on a 75,000 m² site recreating the townscape of Edo-period Nagasaki Kaido. Originally built by Wataya Bessou ryokan, it is now managed by Marc Corporation, also operator of Merhen Village, and is a member of Japan Ninja Council and International Ninja Association, hosting the NPO Kyushu Ninja Preservation Association headquarters. The park houses 60-plus attractions, including Daikansho street performance corner featuring gamanoabura toad oil salesmen and Nankin Tamasudare, Hagakure Ninja House staging full-contact sword-fight shows, a hall of seven ninja tools, Karakuri trick mansion, a haunted labyrinth Jigoku Meguri, shuriken dojo (300 yen) and shooting gallery Gei Muya (300 yen), plus Ninja Run athletic. Ninja costume rental at 1,300 yen adult, 1,000 yen child, is very popular with families. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, Kids Ninja Academy certifies children as aspiring ninjas. Permanent exhibitions include Zenjidō san Yamada art, family crest museum, and calligraphy by Saga Hokko High School. The gimmicky copyline 'You'll lose if you come, you'll lose even more if you don't' sums up its humorous yet scholarly approach, 5 minutes from Ureshino IC and 30 minutes from Takeo Onsen Station via bus, making it a perfect rainy-day cultural complement to hot springs.