Five Budo Museums in Japan
Ask any Budo practitioner where does the ‘art’ from ‘martial arts’ come from and you will have incredibly varied and sometimes conflicting answers.
But, regardless of the different points of view, Budo’s aesthetic, historic and sociocultural values make it worthy of admiration. That is why there are museums dedicated to them, after all.
To help you learn more and appreciate everything about Budo, here is a list of our favourite museums around Japan that celebrate different expressions of Budo.
JAPANESE SWORD MUSEUM
The shiny new entrance
Established in the 1960s, this museum exhibits Japanese swords and organises exhibitions of modern and antique swords.
With a brand new building on the grounds of the Kyuyasuda Garden, visitors can feel the unique atmosphere that contrasts the old and new. As you stroll across the garden build in the Edo Period, its ambience is juxtaposed almost magically with the amazing views from the hyper modern Tokyo Skytree.
The museum is supported by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai, an organisation aiming to educate the public about the culture of swords, as well as support the work of modern sword masters. The exhibits contain beautiful examples of blades, tsuba (sword mountings), tsuchigashira (small fittings that bind around the hilt) and of course historical examples of katana. Other weapons such as yari and tanto are also on display.
https://www.touken.or.jp/museum/
How to get there
7-minute walk from West Exit of Ryogoku Station, JR Sobu Line.
5-minute walk from A1 Exit of Ryogoku Station, Toei Subway Oedo Line.
Kodokan Judo Museum
Located on the second floor of the Kodokan International Judo Center, this museum is the perfect combination for anyone visiting Suidobashi area (check our Tokyo Budo Guide)
The Kodokan Museum houses historical materials like a keikogi (training uniform) from the first enrolled student to the Kodokan, Mr Shiro Saigo, and personal objects from Kano Jigoro Shihan. At the Hall of Judo Luminaries, you’ll find photographs and brief biographies of 19 Judo practitioners who made contributions to the development of Judo, from Yamashita Yoshitsugu to American President Theodore Roosevelt.
Our favourite piece has to be the original Seiryoku-Zenyo calligraphy from Kano Shihan. Here, the principle of “Maximum Efficient Use of Energy”is displayed alongside the inkstone that Kano shihan used to write with.
http://kodokanjudoinstitute.org/activity/library/
How to get there
Check our guide to Suidobashi for directions
Sumo MuseuM
Inside the Kokugikan sumo stadium, you can find this small but celebrated museum.
It opened its doors together with the new sumo stadium and was inaugurated with the goal of protecting and preserving the rich historical heritage of Japan's national sport.
The museum holds a collection of portraits of past and present Yokozuna and beautiful Kensho-mawashi or ceremonial aprons worn by retired prominent wrestlers.
The collection started in 1954, and has grown with the years, adding amazing Nishikie drawings, historical Banzuke rankings, and antique Tegata or hand prints, the traditional autograph of Sumo wrestlers. The museum holds temporary exhibitions from time to time, with special features and private collection pieces.
When tournaments are held in Tokyo, the access to the museum is limited to ticket holders. However, if you happen to be there off season, you can enjoy it for free.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/KokugikanSumoMuseum/
How to get there
Check our guide to Kokugikan for directions
Okinawa Karate Kaikan
The special dojo, displaying traditional Okinawan style arquitecture.
Opened in 2017, the Kaikan is dedicated to Okinawan karate and its culture. Besides the museum, the complex includes multiple dojos and organises different events to promote the Okinawan martial art. With a great collection of various documents and objects like uniforms and weapons, the museum recounts the history of karate through the years.
One of our favourite parts of the museum is the interactive exhibition, where you can try kicking with iron geta (traditional Japanese sandals) or carry Ishi sashi, or stone padlock –all of which are part of traditional karate weight training.
Well deserved Soba ready to go!
Another highlight of the Karate Kaikan is the unmistakable red-tiled roof dojo, a visual reminder of the Ryukyu kingdom where ceremonies, rank tests and special karate demonstrations are held.
If you feel hungry after all the virtual training you’ve undergone, head to Soba Tokoro Ti, the museums official restaurant. Have yourself a bowl of spicy Okinawan soba and a cold Orion. It is undoubtedly the perfect way to commemorate your experience.
How to get there
From Naha Bus Terminal take bus number 33 or 46 to Tomigusukukoen-mae. The Okinawa Karate Kaikan is a 5-10 minute walk from there. You can drive for 10 minutes from central Naha, too.
Kawagoe History Museum
On your way back from Nikko Toshogu, and approximately 30 mins from central Tokyo, you will find Kawagoe, a small city that retains much of the look and charm of the Edo Period. Near the main commercial street, you will find a museum that proves that size doesn’t matter.
More of a gallery instead of a museum (if we’re being perfectly honest), this place is privately maintained, cared for and curated by the owner himself. Over the decades, he has amassed an amazing collection of samurai swords, armours, banners and a plethora of odd but deadly weapons.
With the intention of preserving the precious cultural heritage related to Kawagoe and Kawagoe military history, the museum is actively investigating and researching for materials around the area and beyond Kawagoe.
What it lacks in museography, is compensated with the warm and attentiveness of the owner, Mr Nishiyama who will do his best to guide you around.
How to get there
Use the JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line. From Shinjuku, head to Kawagoe Station via Omiya. The museum is reachable by foot.