|
|
|
|
Japanese Sword Museum Review
Read our Tokyo sights reviews. Or post your own.
Japanese Sword Museum
- Address: 4-25-10 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03/3379-1386
-
Token Hakubutsukan
- Category: Museums/Galleries
- Location: Shibuya-ku
Fodor's Review:
It's said that in the late 16th century, before Japan closed its doors to the West, the Spanish tried to establish a trade here in weapons made from famous Toledo steel. The Japanese were politely uninterested; they had been making blades of incomparably better quality for more than 600 years. At one time there were some 200 schools of sword making in Japan; swords were prized not only for their effectiveness in battle but for the beauty of the blades and fittings and as symbols of the higher spirituality of the warrior caste. There are few inheritors of this art today.
- Cost: ¥525
- Open: Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30
- Subway: Odakyu private rail line, Sangu-bashi Station
Member Reviews & Ratings:
For the affectionado only
Posted by CKD3 from Atlanta on 11/4/07
Unless you are a REAL fan of Japanese swords, you can cut this off the list. The museum's displays are mostly of blades (yes, blades, no sword hilts and few scabbards are seen) and is almsot all in Japanese. The first floor exhibition tells the story of how swords are made, is in English, is free (admission is charged once you get upstairs) and is worth it if you are in the neighborhood and can find this place. It is off the beaten path. Look for signs showing the way on the upper levels of telephone poles next to where the fire hydrant signs are.
Get Advice From Other Travelers
- Seoul & Busan: On Par with Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Beijing?
1 responses; most recent on 09/20/2008, 06:35 am - Where to go near Tokyo at Thanksgiving?
0 responses; most recent on 09/16/2008, 03:23 am - Tokyo and Kyoto with 15 month old
7 responses; most recent on 09/13/2008, 06:30 pm
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip >>
- Adventure Travel from
-
Japan Gold
$6,195
Ancient temples and futuristic cities; mist-shrouded... -
Japan Silver
$3,395
Ancient temples and futuristic cities; mist-shrouded... -
Spiritual Japan - Platinum
$14,000
Experience Japan's spiritual realm as......
Buy the Guidebook
-
$22
-
$11.95
Get the Fodor's Newsletter
Read the current issue
For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Browse previous issues.
