Time to rewatch Naruto and brush up on your ninjutsu, folks! We took our Japan wish competition winner to experience a modern twist on an ancient part of Japanese culture. Come and take a look at the spectacle inside Kyoto’s mysterious and shadowy ninja restaurant.
Ninja Kyoto Restaurant＆Labyrinth delivers an evening packed with food, drink and fun, with the ninja staff performing magic tricks that will amaze and astound. Check out the video below to see the shenanigans Ashley encountered during her evening with the shinobi.
The experience begins right from the front door where we were greeted by ninjas dressed all in black who then showed us through twisting labyrinthine tunnels and into the restaurant itself.
We passed by other people dining in the open area as we were shown to our private room which was appropriately decorated with ninja swords and… champagne?
▼ The sign shows the kanji for “shinobi”, another Japanese word for a ninja.
After getting some snacks and drinks, we perused the menu which was filled with many strange and enticing items.
Every dish we ordered had a special ninja twist to it, the most impressive being an egg that was transformed into a piece of fried chicken before our very eyes! Make sure to check out the video above to see all the magic as it happened.
▼ When the sword was pulled out from the grapefruit it started smoking! While you couldn’t eat the fruit itself, the salad on top was refreshingly citrusy.
We were then treated to a special ninja magic show which culminated in a rather terrifying but impressive show of sword juggling. The ninja seemed to be in possession of all his finger and toes, so we were undoubtedly in safe hands, but we still scooted back a bit when the blades came out.
Overall the focus here is definitely on the presentation of the food rather than the taste; that’s not to say it wasn’t good, but you should come for the spectacle rather than for a gourmet experience. While the surroundings are dark and shadowy, the atmosphere is fun and lighthearted, using the modern image of the ninja made popular in TV and anime to deliver an exciting evening that everyone can enjoy. If you’re a feudal Japanese history buff who knows your shuriken from your shaken then it might not be serious enough for your tastes, but otherwise you’re sure to have a blast.
Restaurant Information
NINJA KYOTO Restaurant＆Labyrinth
583-2 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8042
京都府京都市中京区新京極通四条上る中之町583-2
Website
Directions
Images © RocketNews24
Fight like a ninja in a samurai town, with sword-fighting experience at Kyoto Toei movie studio park
Ninja dojo opens in Tokyo’s Asakusa, offers courses in shuriken, stealth, and sensory perception
We try a Ninja Kakigori shaved ice dessert in Japan and wash it down with Cheese Tapioca Tea
Dine like a samurai on the night of the Ikedaya Incident at Kyoto-themed restaurant in Tokyo
The quintessential Kyoto experience: becoming a maiko for the day! 【Pics & video】
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
We eat Kyoto’s best-loved noodle dish at the restaurant that invented it
Kyoto yakitori restaurant earns Michelin rating with one of the best value-for-money deals in Japan
Faster than a speeding bullet! Ride the Tokyo to Kyoto “Nozomi” Shinkansen with us! 【Video】
All-you-can-eat oboro tofu restaurant in Kyoto is a guilt-free experience
Okayama ninja video credited with drastically improving traffic manners
Kyoto yakiniku restaurants offer up blue meat and drinks for Japan’s World Cup fever
The restaurant that powered the team behind one of Nintendo’s biggest hits
At Kichi Kichi in Kyoto the rice omelets are both dinner and a show【Video】
Eat like a treacherous samurai! Kyoto restaurant recreates a real-life warlord’s favorite food
Japanese manners videos show how to be a “really cool” traveller in Japan 【Videos】