If you are a fan of Naruto or have watched this popular anime in the past, you might have wondered what it feels like to be a ninja, live in Konoha, the village of Naruto, and do ninja-related missions. The good news is you can have a ninja experience at the Naruto Theme Park on Awaji Island. Let’s find out what it feels like to actually be there!
Awaji Island, located in the Seto Inland Sea, is just a 30-min drive from Kobe and１-hour drive from Osaka. Even without a car, you can easily get to Awaji Island with public transportations.
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Entrance to Konohagakure (The Hidden Leaf Village)
The entrance to the Naruto Theme Park NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-zato will instantly evoke memories of the iconic gate of Konohagakure, or The Hidden Leaf Village, in a mini version. As you step through, you’ll be greeted by numerous character panels from Naruto, creating a nostalgic experience for fans like me. It’s a fantastic spot to capture memorable photos with your favorite characters!
Even as you approach the entrance, the Naruto-themed decorations immerse you in the world of Konoha. It feels as though you’ve stepped right into the heart of the village itself, with every detail representing the beloved anime.
View The Majestic Hokage Rock of Konoha
If you’re a fan of Naruto, you’ll immediately recognize the Hokage Rock as a key symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village. This monumental structure features the faces of the village’s Hokages—past and present—etched into rock, representing their importance and leadership within the series.
At the Naruto Theme Park, you can see a replica of this iconic landmark. Standing at 11 meters tall, it faithfully depicts the first five Hokages and their crucial roles in the Naruto storyline. As a fan, seeing this impressive replica is truly moving. Nearby, you’ll also find statues of characters from the Boruto series, offering even more great photo opportunities.
Naruto Ninja Experience: Utilize the Heaven and Earth Scrolls
NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-zato offers more than just a theme park that resembles the Naruto anime, it lets you live out the adventures of a ninja! You can participate in interactive ninja missions that replicate the challenges and excitement of the anime.
If you’re as excited as I am about stepping into the shoes of a ninja and taking on these missions, you’re in for a thrilling experience. I’m looking forward to trying it out myself and discovering what it’s like to be part of the action!
It seems like the missions utilize scrolls inspired by those in the anime. You might recall the Heaven Scrolls (Ten no Maki/天の巻) and Earth Scrolls (Chi no Maki/地の巻), which play a crucial role in the Chunin Exams. These scrolls symbolize the challenges that competing teams must overcome, mirroring the trials depicted in the series.
Heaven Scrolls: Conquer the Labyrinth Challenge
The first challenge involves using the Heaven Scrolls, which are equipped with spaces for various stamps and a guide for performing different jutsu through hand seals. Armed with these scrolls, I went into a labyrinth designed to test my ninja skills.
The goal is to navigate through the maze, collecting stamps of famous Naruto characters as you go. Following the scroll’s guidance, you must find your way through and gather all the stamps. Once collected, you need to perform a sequence of hand seals shown in the scroll to unlock the door and escape.
It was more complex than I anticipated, especially with the hand seals, but incredibly enjoyable. It gave me a new appreciation for the skill required to perform the jutsu, even for Naruto. This challenge is a fun and engaging ninja experience for all ages.
Earth Scrolls: Solve Challenges by Mastering Hand Seals
The second mission using the Earth Scrolls is equally thrilling! Guided by a video, you follow a storyline where the chakra seal has been compromised. As a ninja from Konohagakure, your task is to complete seven challenges inscribed on the Earth Scroll to restore the chakra seal.
This adventure features quizzes and puzzles that test your problem-solving skills and, importantly, your proficiency in hand seals. At each location, you must perform hand seals to overcome various challenges.
The mission’s highlight is the opportunity to visit various spots inspired by the anime. From figures of Akatsuki members to the serpent summon Manda and tailed beast replicas, the locations are a dream for any Naruto fan. My favorite area was where Naruto trained in “Senjutsu”, complete with meditation rocks and the iconic frog character Fukasaku.
As you advance to the final area, you’ll be transported to a secret location where you can watch a spectacular animation battle against the final villain in Naruto, Kaguya, adding an exciting climax to your ninja adventure.
Enjoy a Well-Earned Rest at Ichiraku Ramen
After completing all the missions and feeling tired, I needed a place to relax and enjoy lunch. So, where does Naruto go at such moments? To Ichiraku Ramen, of course! The Naruto Theme Park features its very own Ichiraku Ramen, letting you experience the same delight as Naruto.
We decided to try the two most popular dishes: the Ichiraku Ramen (all toppings), which is the exact dish Naruto regularly enjoyed, complete with every topping you can imagine, and the Akatsuki Ramen (all toppings), a spicier and more intense version of the traditional Ichiraku Ramen.
Both ramen dishes were fantastic. The Ichiraku Ramen had a rich tonkotsu flavor with a depth of taste that was comforting and satisfying. The Akatsuki Ramen, on the other hand, was an extraordinary experience with its stronger, richer, and spicier flavors that truly packed a punch. And let’s not forget the slices of pork and boiled eggs—they’re also absolutely delicious!
Try eating a bowl of ramen here, and you’ll understand why Naruto loves this place so much!
Wrap Up Your Ninja Experience with Limited Edition Naruto Merchandise
To complete your ninja adventure at the Naruto theme park, visit the shop near Ichiraku Ramen where you can find exclusive Naruto merchandise. Add to your collection with lifestyle goods that bring a touch of the Naruto world to your daily life.
From acrylic stands and keychains to badges and interior decoration items, the shop has a wide range of items featuring your favorite characters, including those from Akatsuki. Whether you’re looking for casual Naruto merchandise or collectible items, this shop has something for everyone!
©岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ
| Park Name | NIJIGEN NO MORI |
|---|---|
| Address | 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | 0799-64-7061 |
| Website | https://nijigennomori.com/ |
| Reservations | https://ticket.nijigennomori.com/en/ |
| Operation Hours | Everyday10:00-22:00 *Each attraction has a different last reception time and closing time. |
Click here for details of NIJIGEN NO MORI
Closing
The whole experience at NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-zato in Nijigen no Mori, from start to finish, takes around 4-5 hours, though as a huge Naruto fan, I spent a bit more time exploring. My high expectations for the Naruto theme park were definitely met. From immersing yourself in the Konoha village atmosphere to engaging in physical activities and practicing hand seals, you truly get a sense of what it feels like to be a ninja in Naruto!
