Samurai & Ninja Museum in Kyoto: Highlights and Personal Photos with Insights into the Interactive Experience of Shuriken Throwing and Real Sword Test Cutting

2023-12-202024-09-22

The Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum is an interactive museum where you can not only admire exhibits but also experience being a samurai or ninja yourself. You can see authentic samurai armor and swords, throw shuriken, and even try cutting with a real katana. You can also dress up in samurai armor and take commemorative photos. This museum is full of unique experiences that can only be found here, making it a popular tourist spot where visitors to Kyoto can create unforgettable memories.

This article will share the highlights of Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum, along with some personal photographs.

Geting to Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum from Kyoto Station

The most convenient way to reach Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum from Kyoto Station is by bus.

STEP

From the A2 bus stop at Kyoto Station’s bus terminal, take the city bus number 4, 17, or 205.

The bus terminal is located right outside the central exit of Kyoto Station.

Look for the sign marked “A2”.

STEP

Disembark at Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop.

It takes about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station.

STEP

From the bus stop, walk about 300m, which takes about 4 minutes.

Look for this signboard. Go up the stairs and find the reception on the second floor. Advance reservations are required, so show the receipt you received via email to the staff.

Highlights of Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum

After completing the reception, I spent some time in the waiting room before the tour began. The waiting room featured cool displays of helmets and armor, which got me excited. Photography is allowed throughout the museum.

There was also a palanquin on display, used by feudal lords in the early 1800s, which provided insight into transportation methods of the time.

The waiting room also had explanations about samurai and ninjas, with all exhibit descriptions available in English. I didn’t fully understand the difference between a “bushi” and a “samurai” before, but I learned that a “bushi” refers to a warrior equipped with swords and armor, while a “samurai” specifically serves someone. Ninjas, on the other hand, were spies for feudal lords and rulers.

The tour is guided in English by staff dressed as ninjas. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable! At the beginning of the tour, they quizzed us on information from the waiting room, which helped break the ice and brought everyone closer.

The biggest highlight of the exhibits was the variety of samurai armor designs from the Edo period. Many of the armors were over 300 years old. There was also a quiz on which armor was the most expensive, and very few people got the right answer!

The sword display was also impressive. There was a quiz on which sword was the most recent and how many swords samurais typically carried. I had no idea, but it was a fun challenge.

Seeing real swords up close was truly moving—they were beautifully crafted.

The tour also provided explanations about the history and roles of samurais and ninjas, as well as the Emperor, Shogun, and Daimyo during the Edo period. The English guide made it fun and easy to learn, even for children. Some of the English was a bit difficult for me, but I was still able to enjoy the overall atmosphere.

After that, we got to experience throwing ninja shuriken. Interestingly, shuriken weren’t originally meant to harm the enemy; they were used to distract the opponent, allowing ninjas to escape.

Everyone got a chance to throw shuriken at targets, and there was applause for anyone who hit the center. I got close, as you can see in the photos, but couldn’t quite hit the bullseye. It was harder than it looked! The staff showed incredible speed when throwing, which was amazing to watch. The shuriken-throwing experience was something I had never done before, and it was a lot of fun.

Lastly, there was an area where you could dress in samurai armor and take a commemorative photo, creating an unforgettable memory.

I signed up for the “Samurai Sword Cutting Experience” plan as well, where I got to try test cutting with a real katana. We first practiced the grip and swing with a wooden sword, and then moved on to cutting tatami mats with a real katana.

The story behind why all samurai wore their swords on the left side, and how even left-handed samurai were trained to use their right hand to draw the sword, was fascinating.

After the practice, we each took turns cutting the tatami mat with a real katana.

The tatami mats were tougher than expected, and I couldn’t cut through them on my first two tries, but I succeeded on the third! It was an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience that left a lasting impression.

Information of Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum

There are several plans Please check the official website for price details. You can make reservations for tours and experiences on the official website.