Travel bucket list idea:
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
No Japanese period drama would be complete without an appearance from the nation’s most famous fighters – the samurai and the ninja. Equally famous around the world today, the two had very different roles in Japan.
The samurai began as feudal warriors and by the Edo era (1603-1868) were part of the ruling class. The ninja had more humble roots, often functioning as farmers while operating as highly skilled spies and assassins.
Samurai and ninja get varying treatment in modern Japan – the samurai and their code of ethics are held in high regard, while ninja experiences tend to be more on the kitschy side. Part of that perhaps comes down to social status, but also the lofty status of a katana, a samurai’s sword, which are still painstakingly handcrafted by highly respected wordsmiths.
For visitors to Tokyo, there are several places you can see historic swords and samurai armour, and to learn how to hold a samurai sword or throw a ninja’s shuriken.
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Experience
This museum in Ryogoku exhibits a collection of around 190 supremely crafted historic katana (samurai swords) – some designated national treasures – and documents how they are made. Kill Bill fans will know them well…
Adult price: £7
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Freq: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Experience
This reproduction of a ninja house runs tours of the facility, teaching you the sneaky arts of the ninja as you go from room to room. Groups of up to 10 per session, children of all ages welcome.
Adult price: £12
Good for age: 6+
Duration: 35-40 minutes
When: March, May and Sept
Freq: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Experience
A fairly new museum stocked with an impressive collection of sparklingly sharp samurai swords, elaborate, colourful armour, guns and other samurai paraphernalia. Visitors can try the armour on and play at pretend sword fighting.
Adult price: £12
Good for age: 8+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Freq: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Experience
The 47 Ronin is a legendary Japanese tale of samurai loyalty, that was even made into a US action film (2013). This temple is where the 47 were buried after exacting their revenge on the man who betrayed their master, and then being ordered to kill themselves.
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Freq: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Ueno Park’s best museum, and Japan’s oldest museum, is one of the largest art museums in the world.
The museum collects, preserves and displays collections of artworks and cultural objects from across Asia, with a focus on Japanese art. It holds over 110,00 cultural artefacts and artworks, including 89 National Treasures.
For anyone interested in Japan’s fascinating past of emperors, shoguns, samurais and more, this is a must-see. The museum collection includes everything from ancient Buddhist sculptures, to samurai armour and even tea ceremony utensils.
Adult price: £6
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Freq: annually
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