Learn to be a ninja...

When Americans think about Japan, the first thing they imagine are samurai and ninja. Well, I've been to the OFFICIAL ninja museum in Iga-Sano in Nara (maybe it's in Mie, I forgot). Anyway the greatest thing about going there - if you are a train aficionado - is the single line Kintetsu track that goes there from Iga-Kobe station on the Osaka line, the official NINJA TRAIN:



After a hour ride to Iga Sano Station, you disembark to the official Iga-style Ninja museum. It's not as cheesy as you would think, they show all of the ways ninjas hid inside houses and the implements and devices they used in order to assassinate their targets.





The most interesting aspect of the ninjas is the finger strength necessary. I remember they had one exhibit that stated a ninja need to lift a 100 lb. rice bale with their pinkie finger in order to have the clutching strength to climb a castle wall. If castle owners were a bit smarter, perhaps they'd find a better way of making walls then this:



At least fill in the cracks with some mortar, you silly daimyo! You're practically inviting the ninjas inside!!