The 48 falls of Akame in Mie Prefecture, Birthplace of the Ninja

The 48 waterfalls of Akame are the birthplace of the Ninja. The remote and forested Akame Valley was a training ground for the Iga-ryu ninja between the 15th and 18th centuries and the home of the giant salamander, a fabulous living prehistoric creature. With its limpid waters and lushly jungle, Akame is the perfect place to discover the real Japan and experience ecotourism, far from the skyscrapers, in a gentle hike through history and nature. Every season offers fantastic sights along the falls. Spring brings cherry blossoms, and in autumn a dazzling array of colors of leaves. Summer is a verdant paradise. Winter requires more care along the path, but you may be rewarded with frozen waterfalls if the weather is sufficiently cold. There are numerous waterfalls along a four-kilometer stretch of the valley accessible via a walkway along the river that provides up-close views. The waters pour into a gorge at the bottom of the valley at Muro-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park. Five of Akame's waterfalls are particularly spectacular: Fudo, Senju, Nunobiki, Ninai, and Biwa Falls. Fudo Falls, named after Akame's Fudo-myo, features a bridge that spans the seven-meter wide cascade. Senju is named for how the splashing water resembles the "thousand arms" of the merciful Buddhist deity Kannon. Nunobiki is the highest waterfall at 30 meters, and over the millennia its force has eroded the stone below to form a pool 30 meters deep. Ninai Falls is popular for its gorgeous view, and Biwa Falls is said to resemble a giant bathtub.

At the entrance to the area, a ninja training school offers a course on the nearby mountain slopes for adults and children ages 4 and above. The program includes ninja costume rental, with a choice of colors ranging from traditional black to no-way-they-won't-see-you pink. The training lasts about 90 minutes and includes ninja star throwing, wall scaling, and rope traversing. If you're really feeling the stealthy spirit, you can also rent a ninja outfit to wear before setting out on your journey to the falls.