2 hour private experience
Location: Kumamoto City
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
With over 30 years of experience in Japanese sword polishing and restoration, Hiroto has worked with museums, shrines, temples, and private collections across Kumamoto and Kyushu. A 2nd-generation polisher trained through the the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword and advanced preservation programs, he provides restoration, conservation guidance, and care for historically significant blades and mountings.
What you’ll do
Visit a museum dedicated to one of Japan's most iconic samurai figures, Musashi Miyamoto. Tour the gallery with the descendant of the museum's founder for an inside insight into the pieces, then experience copying some of Musashi's final words on artisan-made washi paper. After, join a professional katana sword polisher for a live demonstration of his skills, getting the chance to witness and interact with these historic blades face-to-face.
Availability
Everyday except Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Who can attend
Children must be 12+ years old.
What to wear
Please remove any a accessories as to not damage the katana sword.
What else you should know
Please inform us about any dietary restrictions, including allergies, at checkout.
Access
10min from Kumamoto Station by car.
Bushido & Blades
A stronghold of samurai culture, a crucial player in the Satsuma Rebellion, and the final resting place of legendary samurai figure Musashi Miyamoto, Kumamoto holds a fierce heritage of Japan's warrior lifestyle. Even in contemporary times, the shadows of samurai traditions still linger - in the formidable arches of Kumamoto Castle, the refined landscapes of Hosokawa-clan created Suizenji Park, and countless other traces left behind from an era of deep honor and brutal battles. Immerse into the bushido lifestyle, the moral code of samurai elite, which weaves principles of courage, loyalty, and sincerity with daily practice, with a private guided tour of a museum dedicated to Musashi Miyamoto, followed by a katana polishing demonstration with an artisan who keeps the gleaming blade of samurai culture alive for future generations. While the age of Japan's mighty blade-wielding warriors may have passed, the legacy lives on.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
