Why Visit the Samurai Museum in Tokyo

The Samurai Museum

We visited the Samurai Museum, near Shinjuku Train station in April 2019. Ever since I read the reviews of this place I desperately wanted to go. Not only do you get to see a lot of samurai swords, armour etc – but you get to watch a Samurai sword show and dress up at the end of the guided tour (in kimono or samurai armour!) – all included in the entry price.

How to get there

We actually found this place difficult to find. The official website is here https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/en/index.html and it does have a basic map on ‘how to get there’, however, we still managed to get lost and three times we needed to ask people on how to get there. Apparently it’s a common experience (I say with a laugh). However – keep asking people if you do get lost – you will get there and it’s definitely worth visiting. It’s only a 5 minute walk from the train station so don’t wander too far like we did. If you see King Kong – its near there.

What are there displays of?

This is a privately owned museum but gosh it contains a lot of exhibits over two floors. On the second floor you need to remove your shoes as the exhibits are displayed on tatami mats. The exhibits consist of lots of different Samurai Armour, Helmets, Swords, Maps, Paintings, Guns and more. If it’s related to the Samurai, it’s here. The Guided tour guides tell the story of the Samurai very well and make it not only educational but fun too. 

The Katana (Samurai Swords) were made with Stingray skin for the handles! They feel kind of rough!

This is real Samurai armour. It includes dents from gunfire and blood stains (gory!)

Why should you go?

This is one of the best museums I’ve ever been to anywhere in the world. Not only was it nicely displayed, but the free guided tour (totally recommend) was extremely educational. I learned so much about Japanese history and it was really interesting (it was in layman’s terms and full of fun facts). The staff were exceptionally helpful and very interesting to talk to – they really do know their stuff. The information that I gained from this one museum experience I was able to take with me to other sites around Japan – it enhanced my experiences for the rest of Japan. For example inside Osaka castle there is a museum, and the background knowledge I learned at the Samurai museum helped enormously with my understanding of that museum. I knew what I was looking at.

As an aside, English was very well spoken too on the guided tour which added to the experience. They seem to tailor the guided tour to the level of understanding of the visitors- so if you know a lot you will certainly learn more. And if you know next to nothing about Samurai – you will certainly learn a lot!

You can also buy real samurai swords too (or replica’s) in the museum shop.

There is a free guided tour – make sure you go on one

It is optional to go on the guided tour or not. The Guided tour however is free and highly recommend. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and make it entertaining. When you arrive at the Samurai museum, you will get a time to start the guided tour.

You get to dress up for free (part of the admission cost)

You get to wear a samurai helmet and battle coat, or alternatively, they wear a kimono to dress up in. The Kimono is heavy. And you can take as many photos as you like with your own cameras. The staff were extremely helpful with putting on the costumes and even with taking photos. I think they do recognised that this is such a unique experience for the overseas traveller.

This is the Kimono that you get to wear. Its very heavy.

They allow photographs! 

Unlike a lot of other museums, this place actually allows you to take photos of the exhibits and also at the end when you get to dress up. You cannot take video recordings though.

There is a free sword performance in the afternoons (part of the admission cost)

The Sword show goes for about 20 minutes and is on several times per day (afternoons only). Check the official website for exact times. https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/en/experience/index.html

At the end of the performance, you get the opportunity to try out the swords and do battle with the samurai (this is aimed at kids). After this there are also free photo opportunities with you and the samurai.

Me (left) at the Samurai Museum

Try and get there early afternoon. 

Try and arrive by early afternoon. Timing wise it is good as you get the free sword performance and the dress ups at the end of the tour. Times are on the official website.

There are other experiences on offer at the Samurai Museum

There are Samurai Calligraphy lessons and a Sword Lecture you can also visit (an additional cost). More details on the official website.

Is it suitable for kids?

Yes! Primary school aged kids will love it as they will learn heaps about the Samurai that they will comprehend and they get to dress up and fight a Samurai at the end of the tour (if they wish). The tour is suitable for all ages.

Fun Facts

The samurai were only about 5 feet high! And they used to pluck out their hair – strand by strand to fit their helmets on (ouch, painful). These are just two of the interesting facts we learned at the museum. We learned many more but I won’t spoil it for you – I highly recommend a visit to the Samurai Museum.

The Samurai Museum Guns on Display

I hope you enjoyed reading about my tips for visiting the Samurai Museum in Tokyo. If you would like to comment please do so in Comments as I would love to hear about your experiences and or feedback.

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Until next week,
KJ

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