Japanese airport unleashes ninja warriors hired to meet and greet guests

After throwing out an international call for ninja warriors that was met with overwhelming demand earlier this spring, Japan's tourism office has finally unleashed the anointed ninja squad at a local airport where they will entertain travelers and turn little ones into aspiring ninja cadets.

When Aichi prefecture in central Japan launched an international recruitment campaign offering six full-time, paid Ninja contracts, hundreds of people around the world applied, including Chris O'Neill, a Tokyo-based American who became the first non-Japanese to join the ninja squad.

Along with O'Neill, the squad includes its only female member, "Suiren," who according to the group's website is 452 years old and is as much a master of storytelling as she is a warrior.

Among the troupe's first orders of business? To perform at the Chubu Centrair International Airport in the Chubu region of Japan, showing off their swashbuckling ways and acrobatics in front of a captive traveling audience.

Ninjas will also roam the airport to greet visitors and pose for photos.

Other activities include ninja costume fittings and the throwing of ninja stars, known as shuriken.

The campaign was launched to promote Aichi prefecture, which boasts the largest number of temples and shrines in Japan.

The region is also renowned for the explosion of colors during cherry blossom season and during the fall.

Aside from ninjas, visitors can likewise meet samurai at Nagoya Castle.

Watch the ninjas perform at https://youtu.be/-LC4xbKrmrk.