Myoryuji Temple is also known as the “Ninja Temple” because of the many tricks and devices that are installed in its facilities. It is said that a secret path inside the temple’s well leads up all the way to the local castle. There is also a trap appearing as an offertory box, staircases hidden by movable flooring, and many hidden doors. All of these mechanisms were installed to deceive enemies. From the outside it looks like a two-storey building, but there are nine layers, twenty-three rooms and twenty-nine staircases inside.

Photograph provided by Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League