International Ninja Day is celebrated every year on December 5. The day invites people to embrace the stealth, agility, and mystery of the ninja. This day is also the perfect excuse to explore the rich history and influence of these skilled warriors.
Ninjas, also known as shinobi, played a vital role in Japan’s feudal era, specializing in espionage, guerrilla tactics, and covert operations. Unlike the more visible samurai, who followed strict codes of honor, ninjas relied on stealth, deception, and surprise. Their ability to blend into any environment made them masters of disguise, often dressing as monks, merchants, or farmers to gather intelligence or perform undercover missions.
Interestingly, the all-black ninja outfit commonly seen in movies wasn’t what historical ninjas actually wore. Instead, this look originated in Japanese theater, where actors used black clothing to blend into the dark background during action scenes. Historically, ninjas wore whatever would help them blend into their surroundings—whether it was everyday clothing or simple disguises suited to their environment.
The ninja’s influence has carried on far beyond the historical battlefield. In modern times, they’ve become iconic figures in movies, comics, video games, and martial arts films. From classic samurai cinema to international blockbusters, the allure of the ninja continues to captivate audiences.
When is International Ninja Day Celebrated?
International Ninja Day takes place every year on December 5. It’s a day that welcomes anyone to tap into their inner ninja by practicing stealthy moves, learning about ninja history, or just having some fun with ninja-themed activities.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | December 5, Thursday |
| 2025 | December 5, Friday |
| 2026 | December 5, Saturday |
| 2027 | December 5, Sunday |
| 2028 | December 5, Tuesday |
| 2029 | December 5, Wednesday |
| 2030 | December 5, Thursday |
How to Celebrate International Ninja Day
You don’t need to be a master of martial arts to get involved in the spirit of this day. Here are some simple ways to celebrate:
- Immerse yourself in the world of ninjas by watching classic or modern ninja films. For a historical touch, try “Shinobi: Heart Under Blade”, a highly-regarded animated film. If you’re in the mood for something more action-packed and modern, “Ninja Assassin” offers really impressive fight choreography. From historical dramas to action-packed fantasy, there’s something for every ninja fan.
- Spend some time reading or watching documentaries about real-life ninjas and their significant role in Japan’s history. Documentaries like “Ninja: Shadow Warriors” offer a fascinating look into the lives of these covert agents, exploring their techniques and how they shaped Japan’s military strategy. You might also find books like “The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi” insightful for understanding the historical context of ninjas.
- If you’re feeling inspired, try out some basic martial arts moves at home or visit a local dojo for a class. Look for introductory lessons in Ninjutsu or other forms of martial arts like Taijutsu that focus on stealth, evasion, and quick movements. You could also follow along with online tutorials to practice punches, kicks, or balance exercises to channel your inner ninja at home.
- Finally, don’t forget to share your ninja antics with the hashtag #InternationalNinjaDay on social media!
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
