Overview of the Samurai Museum
The Samurai Museum is located in Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, an eight-minute walk from Shinjuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line. This location is convenient for foreign visitors and has many restaurants and tourist attractions. The Museum's exterior is designed to resemble a traditional Japanese architectural style, giving visitors a sense of the fascination of Japanese culture. Particularly popular with foreign tourists, visitors can experience the history of the samurai up close and personal.
The purpose of this Museum is to teach visitors about the history and culture of the Samurai. Samurai were not just warriors; they also valued honor and spirit, and Japanese swords and armor symbolized their spirit. The Museum provides visitors with an in-depth understanding of the Samurai and their influence on Japanese culture and society through nearly 700 years of Samurai history. The exhibits consist of valuable artifacts from the Kamakura to Edo periods, allowing visitors to learn about their historical background.
The exhibits include approximately 70 pieces of armor, helmets, and armor from Japan and abroad. These exhibits are valuable resources for understanding the samurai's life and fighting styles, and the armor's design and techniques excite visitors. Each exhibit is accompanied by a detailed explanation, allowing visitors to learn about the samurai's role and historical background. Visitors can gain a deeper understanding of samurai culture through a visual experience.
The Samurai Museum also offers a variety of samurai-related shows and hands-on programs. In particular, visitors can don armor for commemorative photos, watch martial arts performances, and experience the world of the samurai. These programs promote a deeper understanding of samurai culture through participatory experiences beyond mere viewing. Regular iaido tours and live performances of traditional Japanese instruments attract visitors.
The Museum also takes care of foreign visitors, as the staff speaks English. Multilingual guides and explanations are available, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience smoothly and without language barriers. In addition, each exhibit in the Museum is captioned in English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easy for international visitors to understand. This allows more people the opportunity to experience Japanese samurai culture.
Samurai Museum Exhibits
The Samurai Museum in Shinjuku displays armor from the Kamakura to Edo periods, allowing visitors to experience its historical value firsthand. Approximately 70 pieces of armor and helmets symbolize the fighting spirit of the samurai, and their design and decoration, in particular, reflect the status and role of the samurai of the time. These exhibits are not just historical relics but critical cultural assets that speak to the pride and honor of the samurai.
The Japanese sword symbolizes the Samurai, and the Museum explains its history and manufacturing process. Swords are not just weapons but are considered the samurai's soul, and their manufacture requires a high level of skill and a deep spirituality. By learning about the manufacturing process of swords, visitors to the Museum can gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history behind them.
The display of weapons is an integral part of understanding the fighting techniques and lifestyles of the samurai. The Museum displays a wide variety of weapons and tools that illustrate how the samurai fought and lived their daily lives. By learning about the design and use of weapons, visitors will gain a more profound experience of the Samurai spirit and culture.
The exhibition style is to view the exhibits in a tatami room with shoes removed, allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibits while experiencing traditional Japanese culture. This style recreates the atmosphere of the samurai period and provides a more profound sense of immersion. By removing their shoes, visitors can closely observe the exhibits in a comfortable space and ponder the history of the samurai.
English-, Chinese-, and Korean-speaking visitors can enjoy the exhibit easily, as multilingual captions are provided. This allows foreign visitors to understand and experience Japanese samurai culture better. Providing information in various languages enhances the appeal of this international tourist destination and makes it more convenient for visitors.
What is the Samurai Museum Experience Program?
At the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku, visitors can wear authentic armor and enjoy having their photo taken. This experience is trendy among foreign visitors, as it is an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at the history of the samurai. By wearing the armor, visitors can feel like warriors in the Warring States period and take unforgettable photos. In addition, original SAMURAI goods are available for purchase as souvenirs of your visit.
Iai performances are held regularly in the Museum, allowing visitors to observe the influential art of iai up close. Iai is a form of martial arts in which a person simultaneously draws his or her sword and cuts the enemy. The beauty and tension of iai are mesmerizing to watch. Through the performance, visitors can understand the depth of the samurai spirit and technique and ask questions afterward, allowing for deeper learning and experience.
The Samurai Museum in Shinjuku offers a program that allows visitors to learn basic swordsmanship using imitation swords. In this experience, participants can learn how to hold, swing, and deliver a sword through hands-on experience. Experienced instructors provide instruction so even beginners can feel comfortable participating. By learning how to handle a sword, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the skills and spirit of the Samurai.
The Museum also allows visitors to wear samurai costumes and experience a fighting performance. In this program, participants will act out the role of a samurai and reenact battle scenes using imitation swords. With the instructor guiding them, they will learn how to swing a sword and perform battle movements, making them feel like they were the movie's main characters. At the end of the event, participants can also take pictures of the performance, leaving behind valuable memories.
It is recommended that you make reservations in advance for these experience programs. Early reservations are advisable, especially on weekends and holidays, as they are crowded. Reservations can be easily made online, and prospective participants can choose a time that suits them best. Planning will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. A cancellation policy is also in place, so it is essential to confirm this when making reservations.
Access to the Samurai Museum
Access to the Samurai Museum is very convenient. It is about an 8-minute walk from the East Exit of the nearest JR Shinjuku Station and only 4 minutes from Seibu Shinjuku Station. This makes it easy for tourists to visit the Museum from the center of Shinjuku while enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the surrounding area. Especially for first-time visitors to Shinjuku, the Museum's easy accessibility will be a significant attraction.
Access from airports is also very convenient. You can arrive at Shinjuku Station with only one transfer from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport. The Narita Express and Keikyu Airport Line offer smooth travel and are designed to be friendly to visitors from overseas. Such easy accessibility is a significant advantage when making sightseeing plans and will help visitors enjoy the attractions of Shinjuku to the fullest.
The Samurai Museum's address is 2-25-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. This area is one of the busiest in Shinjuku and is surrounded by many restaurants and entertainment venues. Visitors can enjoy the Museum for a full day and then explore the surrounding attractions. A map application can help you reach your destination quickly.
Furthermore, the building is only a 6-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line and the Toei Subway Oedo Line. Thus, by using the subway, visitors can easily visit from other areas of Tokyo. In particular, the subway is a convenient and time-efficient way to visit Tokyo's tourist attractions. Located in the heart of Shinjuku, the Samurai Museum is an ideal base for sightseeing.
The Samurai Museum is located in the heart of Kabukicho, and there are many other tourist attractions in the surrounding area. For example, movie theaters such as TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku and Shinjuku Piccadilly, as well as many restaurants and shopping spots, are within walking distance. Thus, visitors can experience more of Shinjuku's attractions by strolling around the area after visiting the Museum. For tourists, the convenient location will be a significant attraction.
Samurai Museum Admission and Hours of Operation
Admission to the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku is ¥1,900 for adults, ¥800 for children under 12, and free for children under 3. This pricing is beautiful to families and young tourists and provides an excellent opportunity for children, in particular, to experience samurai culture. Admission fees are used to operate the Museum and maintain the exhibits, and they are an essential part of providing a quality experience for visitors.
Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 10:30 to 21:00, and Friday through Sunday and holidays from 10:30 to 20:00. These hours of operation are very convenient for after-work and weekend visitors and provide flexible options for enjoying the Samurai Museum, especially for those who prefer to visit at night.
The last admission is available until 30 minutes before closing, which allows visitors to enjoy the exhibits at their leisure. This consideration is essential in allowing visitors to make the most of their time, especially for those between work and sightseeing. Visitors can safely enter the Museum before it closes and experience Samurai history and culture.
The museum also houses a souvenir store that is open until 21:00 daily. Here, visitors can purchase various samurai-related goods and souvenirs to take home as a memento of their visit. This is an excellent opportunity for foreign visitors to acquire items that symbolize Japanese culture.
Admission fees have been changed effective July 1, 2018, making it easier for more people to visit the Museum. Revising fees is an important strategy in the Museum's operations and demonstrates flexibility in meeting visitors' needs. This has strengthened the Museum's efforts to promote Samurai culture to a wider audience, further enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
Notes on the Samurai Museum
Reservations for hands-on programs at the Samurai Museum are strongly recommended in advance. Early reservations are recommended as capacity is limited, especially for the most popular programs. Reservations can be made online, and same-day reservations are also accepted, but if crowds are expected, it is wise to secure reservations in advance. This will ensure a smooth experience.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing when visiting the Museum. Comfortable clothing is recommended since visitors will be changing into samurai costumes for the hands-on programs; T-shirts, spats, and other clothing that allows for light physical activity are best. This will allow visitors to move more smoothly during the experience and enjoy it more.
The Samurai Museum attracts many visitors, especially on weekends. Therefore, a weekday visit is recommended for those who wish to avoid the crowds. On weekdays, you can enjoy the exhibits in a more relaxed environment, and the hands-on programs will run more smoothly. It is essential to consider the crowds when planning your visit.
Some hands-on programs may have age restrictions. It is especially important to check in advance for programs that use swords and certain activities that have restrictions based on the participants' age. If you are planning a family visit, it is important to choose programs that children can participate in.
When canceling a reservation, pay attention to the cancellation policy. Many hands-on programs may charge a fee for cancellations. In particular, same-day cancellations are often charged in full, so it is recommended that you contact the program as soon as possible if your plans change. This avoids unnecessary costs.
Official Site (English)→Samurai Museum
