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Tokyo Prefecture
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Sumida
Things to Do in Sumida
The Japanese Sword Museum
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The Japanese Sword Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Japanese Sword Museum
3.5
#41 of 332 things to do in Sumida
Speciality Museums
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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See what travelers are saying
  • Roger J
    Palermo, Italy14 contributions
    Could have done far more
    Definitely one for enthusiasts only. Limited background info provided (even less in English) and actually the display of swords is kind of pointless unless they are explained to you in some way. To me they all look very similar! We gave it a go but lasted only 15 minutes or so which was a shame. The National Museum for the same price has loads of various cultural components, including a decent sword display and kept us busy 2 hours!
    Visited January 2023
    Written January 9, 2023
  • George
    20 contributions
    Small museum, lovely friendly staff
    A lovely little museum with great, friendly staff. We paid to see the exhibit, about recent sword making and sword masters, which was very interesting, but was just one room of displays. We enjoyed it, but it might have been a a bit of bland and small for some. The room on the ground floor, explaining the history of sword making, was very good. The museum is also on the edge of a beautiful Japanese garden.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 13, 2023
  • geelongexpat
    Melbourne, Australia1,042 contributions
    Small collection
    There was a small collection of swords and sword paraphernalia here. Everything was centuries old which was cool. But the collection was small. On the ground level you can pick up one that’s in a case. Not expensive, but not worth going out of your way for unless this is an area of interest for you.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
44 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
14
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
3
NormandJess
5 contributions
Breathtaking History
Feb 2020 • Family
I had never seen a true Japanese Sword, let alone one that is 800+ years old in perfect condition. I can only imagine the story that the blade holds.

This museum might not be for everyone, it is a slow methodical look at pieces each with their own design. Some of them left unsigned, why would you not sign something that took so long to make.

We were welcomed, given the materials in English, told we could take pics of everything except for two pieces.

We tried to go on one day and it was closed because they were switching over exhibitions.

I'll attach pics of my two favorites.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gingerale777
Tokyo, Japan21 contributions
One of the worst experience in my life
Oct 2022 • Couples
I don’t recommend anyone to go.

(1) The staff’s attitude
The staff persistently compelled me to spray alcoholic liquid on my hand, and she talked just like a robot. There were a large automatic thermometer and an alcoholic splay machine at the entrance. (The scene looks like some kind of ZeroCovid dictatorship country which is next to Japan.)
Anyway, the staff didn’t have any knowledge of basic science and respect of human rights.

(2) The quality of exhibition
There were only a few exhibits in the museum. The swords were certainly beautiful, but no need to go there unless you are obsessed with sword.
In my experience, I had been super angry with the staff’s attitude, I couldn’t concentrate on the exhibition. So I cannot remember details now.

(3) Photography is prohibited
The ticket checking staff said “Photography is prohibited”, but I heard the camera sounds of mobile phone so many times and witnessed some visitors took a lot of photos boldly, and no staff tried to stop it.
I am certain that the staff of the museum only concern to kill all the germs inhabiting on the visitors’ skin.

I will never go there again.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BabyboomerWA
Dunsborough, Australia221 contributions
A great little Museum for Japanese swords
Nov 2022
Perhaps I wasn't in the same museum as some of the other reviewers. I visited the Japanese Sword Museum in November 2022, and found it to be an excellent little Museum with a very interesting display of ancient and newer swords, along with other Samurai artefacts. I only visited because my husband was interested, but I ended up loving this little museum. The organisation that runs the museum is tasked with saving and preserving Japanese swords. Note that they regularly change exhibits to showcase items from their collection. The staff were very friendly and helpful, providing us with a very good brochure with information in both English and Japanese. Signage on display items also included English explanations. The view from the balcony area over the Sumida area was very good. The small museum shop also had items I did not see elsewhere in Japan. There is a cafe, though we didn't use it. We thought this museum was worth the money and we enjoyed our visit. There are other interesting attractions within walking distance, including ambles along the beautiful Sumida River. We combined several attractions for a day's outing with easy access from the Tokyo CBD. I have written more about the museum in my travel blog - travellingtherese.com
Written January 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KupitDom
34 contributions
Super disappointing place very biased towards non Japanese speaking foreign visitors
Jan 2020
I love Japanese culture ABD I love Japanese swords or nihon to in Japanese
Unfortunatly I don't speak nor read Japanese which makes it hard to me to function in Japan
The exhibition is supurb but very poorly serviced fir foreign visitors
Many lovely ancient Japanese swords on display but with the most important information about swords appreciation available only in Japanese
They give you some material written in English but it's only of General nature!!!
The most important part of the exhibition on how to appreciate each piece and read the item is in Japanese only!! No photographs is allowed inside ( no reason is given but I failed to understand the real reason?!?!? As I wouldn't use flash but only took photis of Japanese written part to translate it later into English!!)
Also they have very strange rule there: if you get say thirsty and must go out to buy a drink ( no vending machines inside!!) they force you to buy another ticket fir re- entry!!!
General attitude towards guests is careless, unfriendly and careless!!!!
Huge bias towards non Japanese speakers ABD yet they happy take your money for the ticket and take it again if you get thirsty ( they make double money on thirsty people so why to put a vending machine there when you can double your profit?!?!?!?)
My recommendation is to give it a miss unless you are fluent in Japanese!!!
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amir
Cairo, Egypt130 contributions
Excellent Attraction
Apr 2019 • Solo
For those passionate about Japanese swords, this place is just awesome. Great display, lots of information on the making of swords. It has an amazing collection and very well organized. I'd advise visitors to have an ID handy as you can borrow a lense to have closer looks at swords.
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Silver325
South Pacific28 contributions
Nice collection
May 2019 • Solo
I suppose the situation has changed since the older reviews were written (where people complained that it was just a collection of modern swords). I visited in mid May 2019 and at that time there were plenty of old and valuable swords on display, some of them 800 years old and of great historical value. But I am not certain whether that was a permanent collection or a temporary exhibition. So, please contact the museum if in doubt.

There is a little space on the ground floor where you can see a video about the traditional process of making a Japanese sword. I found it quite interesting, even if a bit slow.

The new location of the museum is in the little park not far from the Edo-Tokyo Museum and you can easily see both on the same day.
Written May 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam3366
Mississauga, Canada41 contributions
If you love swords, this is an hour well spent
Mar 2023 • Family
If you like or appreciate Japanese swords, you will love this.
- beautiful park next door where you can sit and have a pic nic on a bench
- the folks who work here are mostly serious about protocols… (no pictures… etc) Just accept it.
- its down the street from the big sumo stadium
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WintersummerJ
San Jose Metro, Costa Rica73 contributions
A tad small
May 2019 • Solo
The exhibition room features magnificently crafted swords, some of them designated national treasures. There are also explanations on the art of sword making.
Although it was worth the trip for me, I will say that the museum was small and might not be worth it for some, the entrance was 1000 yen.
Written June 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hristo L
9 contributions
Beautiful sword display
Nov 2018 • Solo
It is quite interesting, especially for those who don't know that a sword is composed of more than just a handle and blade. Very educational and portrays the beauty of Japanese swordsmanship dating back to 8 centuries ago.
Written December 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IbnBattuta2009
Lebanon6 contributions
Not a real museum.
Oct 2018 • Friends
Not a real museum. Avoid. Small, expensive, not visitor friendly. No explanations given. Also beware: no photos allowed.
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The Japanese Sword Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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