t A model in samurai regalia, clutching a prized sword
While samurai may be a thing of the past, the legend around these mythical and honorable warriors has not been forgotten. Step into the world of these ancient military elite by visiting their old haunts or trying your hand at mastering skills, from sword fighting to archery on horseback.
t A model in samurai regalia, clutching a prized sword
A samurai’s sword was said to be his soul – naturally, these weapons could only be made by expert craftsmen. See swords on display at the Sword Museum in Tokyo or visit the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum near Nagoya to witness this incredible craft in action.
Perfected in the 12th-century yabusame (horseback archery) involves an archer galloping down a 837-ft- (255-m-) long track, controlling his horse with his knees, while shooting an arrow at three targets. The best place to witness this feat is at the Kamakura Festival, held each September. The inspired can attempt to master this art at Ibraki (www.govoyagin.com).
While samurai were military nobility, dressed in elaborate suits of armor, ninja were mercenaries, clothed in all black. The samurai – ruled by elaborate codes of honor – looked down on the ninja, who specialized in espionage, sabotage, and guerilla warfare. Experience the world of these dark assassins for yourself at the Koka Ninja Village, where the brave are put through their paces in a ninja training class. Afterwards, watch the experts at work at the Iga Ninja Museum.
Forget about the fairy-tale Himeji-jo or the domineering structure at Osaka – the mightiest fortress is Kumamoto. Alas, this castle wasn’t as impenetrable as hoped: it was ravaged during the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion. Currently undergoing reconstruction due to damage sustained during the 2016 earthquake, this fortress can still be viewed from the outside.
As warfare changed, the samurai transformed from mounted archers to master swordsmen, and finally to desk-bound bureaucrats. Find out about their evolution at the Samurai Museum in Tokyo. Here, the enthusiastic English-speaking guides will take you through this history, while demonstrating a number of sword moves. After the tour, try on armour for size, adopt an imposing stance, and draw your katana like a true warrior.
DISCOVER Japan Your Way
Seven Samurai (1954)
Farmers hire samurai to fight against bandits stealing their crops.
Yojimbo (1961)
A samurai convinces two competing crime lords to hire him.
Harakiri (1962)
Conflict arises over the practice of ritual suicide, seppuku.
Twilight Samurai (2002)
A reluctant samurai is forced to fight.
Samurai Rebellion (1967)
A samurai risks death to save his son’s wife.