From free museums to child-friendly spots where you can bring the whole family, Tokyo is home to a diverse range of cultural spaces catering to all sorts of interests. If yours include the lore behind Japan’s samurai and ninja, you’ll want to check out this new experiential museum in Asakusa.
The Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo With Experience opened recently in December 2023. The facility highlights all things samurai and ninja, from learning about the history of these iconic warriors to experiencing a range of action-packed activities.
The museum is home to an astounding collection of samurai and ninja gear, including armour and weapons made during the Edo period (1603-1868). If you’d like to learn a bit more about their history, English guided tours can be arranged at no additional cost.
While checking out all the samurai and ninja equipment can be fascinating on its own, the museum’s big draw is all the cool experiences on offer. Experiences available as part of the basic entry fee include wearing a samurai armour replica and learning how to throw shuriken ninja stars.
For those who want to fully immerse themselves into the world of a samurai or ninja, the museum offers ‘upgraded’ experiences where you can sign up for additional activities. The ninja training course features a lesson on stealth and dodging swords, while the tameshigiri sword-cutting experience lets you try your hand at slicing through bamboo tatami mats with a real katana sword. On the calmer end of the spectrum, a tea ceremony experience offers relaxation without all the action.
Basic tickets are ¥3,000 for adults and ¥2,700 for children. Tickets for the special experiences cost a bit more, but they include the basic entry fare. For instance, the ninja training with basic entry sets you back ¥6,000, the tameshigiri experience costs ¥12,000 and the tea ceremony ¥9,000. Want to save a bit of cash? The museum is currently offering a 10 percent discount for visitors who book online.
To see all the experiences offered and to book tickets, visit the website.
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