Stealth is my new favorite word.

Today I took an epic 8 hour round trip train ride with multiple transfers, didn't eat all day because I went to a super rural part of Kansai that had less and less English, only spoke 4 words aloud all day (and they were Japanese) and it was totally worth it for one reason, and one reason alone:

Ninjas.

*I just reread that, and holy cow I'm ridiculous hahaha. That's super over-dramatic. I like it though*

I went to Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. I also visited Iga-Ueno Castle. It's beautiful. I left Kobe around 12, and arrived in Iga City at 4. I used my parent's leftover Kansai Pass (Thanks Mom and Dad!!!) so I couldn't ride JR. No big deal... Just take subway to Sannomiya, Hanshin line to Osaka-Namba, Kintetsu line to Nara, switch directions to Iga-Kambe, then the Iga Line railway to Iga-Ueno Park.

It was kinda scary being alone for that whole time, since I usually explore with friends. I kept telling myself it was a character building exercise. I think it worked.

Iga-Ueno Castle. It's beautiful! The light was pretty gorgeous too. It looks a lot like Himeiji Castle in Kansai.

Bonsai tree on display.

View from the castle walls. Check out that moat!

View in the other direction. I believe that huge building is actually a high school.

Moat wall.

Ninja demonstration!

In the final battle, two guys shot streamer things into the audience to simulate their guts. It was GREAT!

Tricks of the Ninja house. My house will have all of these. I went on a tour of a ninja house, and it was AMAZING. I wish I could've taken photos. Great.

History of the Ninja.

Tree Chart of Ninjas (The Art of Stealth)

Sidewalk art.

I am a Ninja. I had a stranger take this photo.

Sword demonstration.

Throwing star demonstration.

He's juggling small scythes.

He throws a coin up in the air, catches it on its side on the top of the umbrella, and has it rolling around for a while.