NARUTO & BORUTO Ninja Village: A ninja adventure at Awaji Island

Make ninjutsu hand seals to conquer a maze full of traps, use ninja techniques to unlock ancient knowledge and fill your ninja scroll, and even watch a light projection show on Hokage Mountain. All of this is possible at NARUTO & BORUTO Ninja Village, located inside Nijigen no Mori park.

Nijigen no Mori Park

Already featured in our post about Dragon Quest Island, Nijigen no Mori park houses various attractions aimed at otaku audiences and is located on Awaji Island. Among the attractions, Naruto's ninja village is probably the most interesting for fans of all ages. With text in both English and Japanese, visitors from around the world can join the fun.

Activity 1: The Ninja Maze

Upon entering the location, we receive two scrolls to be used in the two main activities. The first one is a maze in a three-story wooden structure. To complete it, you need to explore the space, discovering hidden entrances and learning the seals of each ninjutsu, taught by characters from the anime. Doors protected with ninja seals require you to make specific hand gestures to be opened, which are detected and interpreted probably by cameras hidden behind mirrors.

Tip: each door is protected by a different element. Check your scroll to see which element is strong against the one used on the door, and use the ninjutsu of that element. If you don't have all the necessary ninjutsu, you probably missed a passage that leads to a character who teaches that technique, so go back and explore more!

Important warning: although it's an attraction for all ages, this maze is somewhat geared toward children and all the energy they have. In other words, it's quite physically demanding, with tight spaces and many stairs.

Activity 2: Exploring the Ninja Village

In the second activity, we walk through the park area, decorated with statues and scenery inspired by the anime, using ninjutsu to release seals at altars scattered along the path. Each altar has a different stamp, and by collecting them all in your scroll, you receive permission to face the final enemy, in an animated scene inside a cave.


This part of the adventure is less physically demanding and has numerous photo spots. Therefore, even those who feel intimidated by the first activity and prefer not to participate, there's enough content to justify a visit to the park.

Light Show on Hokage Mountain

At the end of the day there's a light show on Hokage Mountain, with projections and music. So remember this when planning your itinerary. It's possible to leave the park and come back later, so you don't necessarily need to organize your day to do the activities and watch the show all at once.
Important tip: At certain times of the year, there are two different light shows that happen on the same day. When we went, we saw some people leaving right after the first show, probably thinking the next session would be a repeat. We even warned a family sitting near us about the second show when they were getting ready to leave, and they said they didn't know and sat back down.

Ramen, Shop, and Extra Activity

Completing the experience, there's a ramen stand based on the classic restaurant from the anime, and as expected, a shop with Naruto and Boruto products, including some exclusive to the park.
For true fans, there's an optional paid activity that extends the adventure even further. We didn't have time to participate in it, but from what we saw of other people sitting in the park focused on their notes, it appears to be a series of puzzles to solve some kind of mystery.

How Much Time to Set Aside?

The two main activities combined last about 2 to 3 hours, depending on how quickly you explore the location or how much time you want to rest. Periods of heavy tourist traffic, such as during the Golden Week holiday (late April/early May) also influence the total duration. The optional extra activity should add about another hour.

Is It Worth It?

The park is a gem for anime fans and especially Naruto fans. Access to Awaji Island, somewhat removed from the more popular areas of Japan like Tokyo and Kyoto, isn't as simple as taking a direct train, but it's also not so complicated as to be an obstacle.

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Practical Tips for Your Visit

If you're planning a visit to Nijigen no Mori, here are some tips:

• Weather: All attractions are outdoors, so try to go on a day with good weather, and don't skimp on sunscreen.
• Physical preparation: Be prepared for a lot of walking and depending on the attraction, like Naruto's, also for physical activities. People with mobility issues may not enjoy the park as much.
• Access: Awaji Island, where the park is located, doesn't have very easy access. There are no trains that go there. So take a train to a nearby station (like Sannomiya or Shin-Kobe) and from there take a bus; Google Maps is your best friend!
• Return transportation: To leave, there's transportation provided by the park itself to the nearest bus stops. This service saved us after we stayed late because of the Demon Slayer nighttime attraction. Check with the staff for available schedules.

Official website: https://nijigennomori.com/naruto_shinobizato/