Places to See Samurai History When Visiting Modern Day Japan
Despite your interests, there are several areas to see samurai history in modern Japan. These places include the Iai Shrine Shinbukan Dojo, the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and the Lord Kenshin Festival. Let’s have a look at a few of them.
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Whether you’re trying to find a historical experience or intend to see Tokyo from a different point of view, seeing the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a wonderful way to learn more about Japan’s past. You can tour the museum’s interactive exhibits and taste life during the Edo period.
You can discover the museum’s enormous structure and see models and artifacts showcasing the Edo period. You’ll find out about the lives of the people of the city, their homes, and how they lived. You can also see a life-size reproduction of the Nihonbashi Bridge. You can also see the city’s water supply system called Jōsui, which transmits water via rigid conduits.
Throughout Edo, Japan’s economic state expanded considerably as vendors and musicians prospered. This caused a terrific competition among artists that hoped to obtain the patronage of the rich samurai.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, a pacifist samurai, developed the Edo shogunate. He finished the battle in Japan for several centuries and shut the country’s borders to foreign influence. He likewise presented a rigorous class separation.
You can discover more about Tokugawa’s regime history and the obstacles Tokyo faced throughout this age. You can also see a substantial collection of original artifacts from this period. The museum supplies cost-free tours, which last for an hour or two.
You can also see the Showa Museum, which will offer a comprehensive look at the difficulties dealt with by war-dead households. You’ll also see historical documents and the algae farming methods used at this time. The museum likewise includes a life-sized reconstruction of a bookseller’s store.
Then, you can go to the Samurai Museum, having Tokyo’s most extensive collection of historical samurai swords. You can also try your hand at a sword battle.
Himeji Castle
Throughout the Edo period, the samurai were the leading force in Japan. They were masters of martial arts and also were worked with by wealthy landowners to safeguard their residential properties. At some point, the samurai were replaced by politicians and educators. They were paid in rice by the daimyo and required to live in castle towns.
Many castles in Japan are worth seeing. One is Himeji, a lovely white castle in the city of Himeji. It’s located within 8 hours of Tokyo and is a UNESCO Globe Heritage Website.
Himeji Castle housed numerous lords, including the Honda family members, and was initially built as a fort in 1333. It was developed several times, most notably in the 1600s by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The castle is thought to be the very best in Japan. It survived many battles, including World War II, and it’s also a National Treasure. The castle was refurbished and reopened to the public in 2015.
In the 1600s, thousands of soldiers stayed in the castle complex. The primary keep, referred to as Daitenshu, was a five-story tower with a studded roof covering. There are additionally smaller-sized towers connected to it. The castle was the hub of the feudal domain for 3 centuries.
The castle held up against many bombings during The IInd world war. The best time to check it out is during Golden Week. It’s open to around 15,000 visitors per day. But it’s not always possible to acquire tickets in advance. During peak periods, the castle fills up. Its website has a calendar to reveal when tickets are likely available.
Himeji is home to many various other destinations. The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History is an insightful facility that presents many antiques from the Maeda and Honda families.
Kakunodate
Found in the Akita area of Akita Prefecture, Kakunodate is a fantastic area to go to if you want to experience samurai history. With six samurai houses available to the public, visitors can check out the lives of Japanese samurai.
The Ishiguro House is among the oldest samurai houses in Kakunodate. It is still utilized as a house by its existing family members. The house is around 210 years of age and is a wonderful location to learn about the town’s history. The house is filled with samurai antiques and clothing. It’s additionally an excellent location to see the house’s museum collections. The display offers info in both Japanese and English.
The Aoyagi House is another samurai home open to the public. It’s a massive compound with numerous buildings, museum collections and exhibits committed to samurai society. It also includes a primary thatched residence and many other structures.
Another popular samurai house is the Odano House. This residence housed several samurai family members, and you get guided trips to see how the families lived. It’s home to the Hirafuku Memorial Art Gallery. The museum has a small collection of conventional Japanese art.
Kakunodate is a fantastic place to see cherry blossoms. It has 2 kilometers of cherry bloom trees along the Hinokinai River. They’re considered to be among the most gorgeous in Japan.
The town has a lot of historical events throughout the four seasons. They include the Sasara-Mai Celebration in the summertime, which includes rubbing sasara (a standard Japanese towel) and dance. The Hiburi Kamakura Celebration is held in winter when visitors burn a straw bag.
Iai Temple Shinbukan Dojo
Found next to the Iai Shrine in Murayama City, Iai Temple Shinbukan Dojo offers a selection of programs. This includes Iaido Original Experience, where you can exercise Iai swordsmanship and discover Iaido’s history. These programs are a special way for visitors to experience Japanese swordsmanship.
Iaido is an ancient Japanese sword art, which is believed to have come from Murayama City in Yamagata Prefecture. It’s a technique that incorporates a sword’s physical and spiritual components. It’s practiced in Murayama and all over Japan. Iaido is used for various functions but mainly concentrates on quick sword action. Its roots lie in Bushido or samurai swordsmanship.
The founder of Iaido was Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, who was active throughout the early Edo period in the 17th century. He was born in Yamagata and practiced meditation at Kumano Temple. He got depressed after his father’s death and trained at the shrine to defeat his murderer. He was an influential figure during the Warring States period.
During the Edo period, samurai were given a higher status than other citizens. Feudal lords were needed to live part-time in the army capital, Edo. These lords had a large role in the events of the state and were educated. At this time, they were also offered the duty of preserving their family’s wealth. The samurai also utilized roadways to travel from one city to the other.
The Aizu domain experienced periods of peace and extreme difficulty, where the samurai were lawfully allowed to cut down Goshi (rice stalks). The domain was regulated by Uesugi Yozan, who led them during these times. The samurai were trained in fighting styles, etiquette, and calligraphy.
Lord Kenshin Festival
Seeing the Lord Kenshin Festival in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture is a great chance to see the samurai history in action. This event celebrates the life of Uesugi Kenshin, a famous general from the Sengoku Period, who fought against the Mongol-founded Yuan empire in the 15th century. It’s one of the most significant historical reenactments in Japan.
During the Sengoku Period, Uesugi Kenshin was one of the strongest generals in Japan. He ruled the Joetsu area, where the celebration is held.
The celebration consists of a reenactment of the fight between Kenshin and Takeda Shingen. It’s held every year with no disruptions. Furthermore, the festival has several other events. Among them is a reenactment of the Fight of Kawanakajima and a Shutsujin Parade. The event also features a parade of warriors wearing period armor.
Many of the men from the Zaikai Nisei Gakuin depict the ronin. Additionally, there are 24 generals who wear extra-detailed armor. The festival is very theatrical, and the coats of arms of the generals that show up are used as part of the celebration.
The celebration likewise includes a Butei Event. The Butei Ceremony is a routine carried out by high-level samurai. In this event, the victorious general will review the heads of crucial enemies.
The festival is held on the tenth anniversary of Takeda Shingen’s death and features a Japanese celebrity in the role. You can see parades of samurai and various other performers depicting Takeda Shingen throughout his life. These parades reflect different facets of Takeda Shingen’s life and are theatrical.
Special tours at the resort also allow visitors to see a samurai sword performance. This is carried out in a private garden and integrates standard Kenjutsu swordsmanship with traditional Shamisen music.
Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum
The Iga-Ueno Traveler Association operates the museum and is a joint effort with the Fujiya Co., a Kyoto-based business. The museum is situated in the Danjiri Kaikan Hall, which houses the tourist information office.
The Iga-Ryu Ninja museum has hundreds of outfits and artifacts and explains ninja practices with videos and texts in Japanese and English. There are likewise ninja shows, which are held at specific times. You can delight in the ninja shows for only 400 yen, plus tax. Admission is also marked down for groups of 20 or more people.
The Ninja Home Museum is the oldest structure in the Iga-Ryu Ninja Complex and is likewise an exciting location. It features ninja miscellany, secret codes, and escape routes. The structure includes a designer home with trap doors and a ninja present shop.
Samurai sword lessons
Whether you’re looking for an interactive experience or just wish to learn about the history of Japan’s feudal age, the Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum has something for you. You can practice samurai sword techniques or try to throw “shuriken” or “fukiya” blow darts.
The Samurai & Ninja Museum is more than a museum, however. Visitors can put on the armour of a samurai, experience an actual sword fight, or try to throw a ‘fukiya’ blow dart.
The Samurai & Ninja museum is situated in the Nishiki market area in main Kyoto. It provides discounted and free Samurai and Ninja experiences.
The Samurai & Ninja Experience is a thirty-minute program with numerous activities. You’ll also try to toss ninja stars, slice sticks, and other ninja-themed products.
After that, you’ll learn about sword cutting using the ‘Tameshigiri’ technique. Utilizing a 300-year-old katana, you’ll find out how to effectively cut the blade. You’ll likewise learn more about the history of Japanese katanas and swords and how they were made.
Iga Ueno
Found in Mie prefecture, Iga Ueno, Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum for travelers in Japan is a must-see for everybody who likes ninjas and martial arts films. It uses a lot of archaeological sites and activities to take pleasure in. There are numerous intriguing festivals to get involved in throughout your stay.
The Ueno Tenjin Celebration, kept in October, features locals dressed as devils. A parade of decorated wheeled drifts called Danjiri is likewise a highlight. Iga is likewise home to the Iga School of ninjutsu, among Japan’s finest ninja schools.
It’s also house to stores that sell locally-made pottery and braided cords. You can likewise check out the Igagoe Museum, which explains the story of the Iga Vendetta.
The Matsuo Basho Memorial Museum is devoted to the haiku poet Basho. It features several initial manuscripts from the Edo Period. There is likewise an electronic board that shows Basho’s travels throughout Japan.
The Iga-Ryu Ninja museum has hundreds of artifacts and outfits and explains ninja practices with videos and texts in both English and Japanese. The Ninja House museum is the earliest building in the Iga-Ryu Ninja Complex and is likewise aan amazing location to check out. The building also consists of a designer home with trap doors, anda ninja gift shop.
Located in Mie prefecture, Iga Ueno, Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum for tourists in Japan is a must-see for everybody who enjoys ninjas and martial arts motion pictures. Iga is also house to the Iga School of ninjutsu, one of Japan’s finest ninja schools.
