The view from above: a complex valley structure spreading out like intricate branches. The landscape, surrounded by small hills, goes on and on, and the spaces in between create a kind of labyrinth. The ninja villages themselves are wrapped in peculiar scenery. It is thought that one of the main reasons the ninja came to be and developed in this area was due to the combination of these circumstances. To summarize, it was an area of refuge, close to the cities that were vital points of that time, and acted as the infrastructure that connected transportation between east and west. It was a strategic point for transportation between the east and west, as both the Yamatokaido road and the Tokaido road passed through the area it was also an important military location.With the Suzuka Mountains in the east and the Kasagisanchi Mountains in the west, the area is surrounded by mountain ranges, making it a refuge for powerful people of the time.Located near both Kyoto and Nara, it was an ideal location for gathering information.There are three main reasons as to why the ninja were able to develop in the Iga and Koka region: In a local record from the Edo period, Oumiyochi Shiryaku, it is stated that "the spies of Iga and Koka have taken the name ninja," and from this those from Iga and Koka came to be considered representative of ninja. So, what kind of places within Japan did those ninja have as their bases for development? As mentioned before, the Iga region of Mie Prefecture and the Koka region of Shiga Prefecture have become widely known as the birthplace of the ninja. In this book, ninja are recorded as "xinobi" and introduced as "spies that will climb up into castles and infiltrate camps at night or in secret in order to investigate the situation during times of war." It's said that ninja were first known to people outside of Japan at the start of the 17th century through a Japanese-Portuguese dictionary compiled by Jesuits. The Origins and Birthplace of the Ninja: the Iga and Koka Region
*Japan Heritage: A collection of stories introducing Japanese culture and traditions, recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and used to stimulate tourism promotion and local revitalization through the presentation of alluring historical heritage sites in an area. By visiting these villages of stealth, you'll be able to see the imprints of the past and catch a glimpse of the ninja’s true form. Iga and Koka were registered as Japan Heritage* Sites in 2017, and the entire region is dotted with cultural heritage sites related to ninja. The area around Iga City, Mie Prefecture, and Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, is known as the birthplace of ninja. However, even though the term 'ninja' is well known, they are still shrouded in mystery, and those who know the true form of the ninja are few and far between. Now, through television and anime, they are widely known all over the world, and many people are fascinated by their eccentricity. The ninja moved in the shadows of the Warring States period, serving the feudal lords of each region, investigating enemy movements, and carrying out surprise attacks.