Dreamt of being a ninja since “Naruto” or “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”? Japan’s Mie University has a real ninja studies degree — here’s how to study like one.
IGA: Think being a ninja is just anime fantasy? Think again. In Japan’s Mie Prefecture, Mie University offers the world’s first ninja studies degree, and yes — it’s legit.
Located in the historic city of Iga (an actual ninja hotspot centuries ago), the university’s International Ninja Research Centre launched a master’s programme in 2018, focused on ninja history, strategy, and survival. You won’t be throwing shuriken in class, but you will be diving into ancient scrolls, stealth tactics, and mountain trekking.
Professor Yuji Yamada, who leads the course, is quick to clarify: “This is a course to learn about ninjas, not become one.” But let’s be honest — just enrolling gets you major bragging rights.
One student who took ninja life seriously is Genichi Mitsuhashi, the first graduate in 2020. He literally lived the ninja life — growing his own rice, opening a dojo, and teaching martial arts. He later earned a PhD (ninja-approved) with a thesis on the 1854 Iga-Ueno earthquake and how ninja descendants helped lead disaster relief. Ninja history with a humanitarian twist? We’re here for it.
If committing to ninja grad school feels like too much, fear not. Universities like Teikyo and Shimane offer Japanese cultural studies with ninja-adjacent vibes. Or go full DIY — learn martial arts, study Japanese history, and maybe practice disappearing when awkward small talk hits.
One thing’s clear: ninja studies are no joke in Japan. So if stealth, survival, and samurai vibes sound better than spreadsheets, Mie might just be your dream school.
