Japan, or at least Tokyo, is atop the bucket list for so many who want to explore the world. So different is the Japanese island in culture and aesthetic from just about anywhere else that it drives people to book tickets. Add to that its world-famous cuisine and sumptuously rich history, and it’s easy to see why the Travel Tweaks article for escorted group tours gets plenty of clicks. For many, though, the biggest draw will be exploring the legends of the samurai.
You could just go to the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku City to read about the rise and fall of the samurai while checking out the displays, or you could buy artefacts at the Samurai Museum Shop online. Those who want to do a bit more exploring and who want to experience key locations for themselves, however, have many more options dotted around Japan.
To narrow down the list, we’ve selected a few major properties from pop culture and entertainment that have enough fans to inspire a real trip to the origins of the new material. Here’s where you can look to be inspired to travel to Japan and where you can go having found a favoured link to the ancient samurai.
Mongol-repelling Island of Tsushima
Easily the biggest single entertainment creation to sink you into Japan’s history, the director’s cut of Ghost of Tsushima on PlayStation consoles dazzled with its incredible combat, stunning setting, and attention to detail to be truly inspired by the days of the samurai. In the video game, you play as Jin Sakai, seeking to beat back the Mongol invasion that looks to take a foothold on the island of Tsushima. At the start of the game, you ride with your fellow samurai against the invading horde at Komoda Beach, essentially witnessing the downfall of the samurai.
Thousands of islands make up the Japan archipelago, as this Travel Tweaks look at the nation’s islands details. Tsushima can be reached via a 35-minute flight from Nagasaki, or there’s a ferry that departs from Fukuoka to the island. With nearly nine-tenths of the island taken up by the mountain and surrounding forest, it’s certainly a getaway that nature lovers will seek. Like in the video game, even though its story is only inspired by history, Komoda Beach is of special significance in Tsushima, having been the initial point of attack from the Mongols.
Ninja Havens of Iga and Kōka
Ninjas have become staples of entertainment set in Japan, often being depicted as incredibly stealthy, acrobatic warriors with sneak weapons to hand. One such weapon, which was also a part of a samurai’s arsenal, was the shuriken, which is central to the online slot game Jade Shuriken. The Betway online casino jackpot slot is all about its ninja inspirations. The battling ninjas of the game spring into action when Respins are triggered, seeking to deliver more of the coveted shuriken before the dusk backdrop of the game. Loaded with a distinctly Japanese soundtrack and its ninja, the slot has become very popular and adds to the legend of the ninja.
However, there’s a good chance that the legend of the ninja is just that: a legend. Shuriken certainly existed and were utilised by samurai, but the ninja more commonly associated with the ancient weapon may not have existed– or at least not in the form of the organised assassin group as we know today. Regardless, Iga and Kōka are cited as the training grounds of ninja, as HowStuffWorks explains, and it’s in Kōka that you can visit the famous Ninja House and Ninja Village. In Iga, there’s the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, as well as Moku Moku Farm.
Battlegrounds of The African Samurai
The story of the legendary African samurai perfectly detailed in the book from Waterstones entitled Yaskue by Thomas Lockley and Geoffrey Girard was, generally, little known in western circles before the late Chadwick Boseman announced his attachment to a potential movie. On 29 April 2021, though, a Japanese-American animated show, Yaskue, hit streaming to bring a historically inspired tale to entertainment media. Yaskue was a real samurai who hailed from Africa and was a part of Oda Nobunaga’s clan, which famously conquered almost all of the island of Honshu by 1580.
Being the largest island of the Japan archipelago, there’s so much to see and do across Honshu. In central Honshu, Tokyo will be most tourists’ go-to destination and likely the central base of operations. Within the city, you can quickly get to and explore many elements of Japanese culture, and at Hotel Chinzanso, a special package for international guests was put on. Beyond Tokyo, in Kyoto, you can visit the temple where Yasuke’s leader and one of the three great unifiers of Japan met his end, Honnō-ji Temple. It was here that Nobunaga was betrayed by Akechi Mitsuhide – one of his trusted generals.
If you enjoy ancient Japan-inspired entertainment, check out these top locations to see where their ideas come from and enjoy the rich history of the great nation.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
