SWORD MAKING

Tokyo's Ryogoku district is closely associated with sumo, but there's plenty more to see and do here in this traditional area of downtown Tokyo.

A visit to Aizu Wakamatsu is a chance to study the samurai code that emphasized honor, respect and ethical behavior.

Paul Martin is the first foreigner recognized as a Japanese sword expert by the Japanese Government and the first foreigner to be appointed as a trustee for a major Japanese sword craftsman's public foundation.

Experience 700 years of Samurai history at the Shinjuku Samurai Museum. See real swords, armor, helmets, and other tools and weapons.

If you want to see Japanese swords and armor, and you don’t happen to have a time machine, usually you’ll need to head to a museum. However, we recently came across an astounding collection of katana not in any museum or gallery, but inside a hotel.

The legendary crescent moon katana, one of Japan's Five Swords Under Heaven, is now on display and is a hit with history buffs and video gamers alike.

Seki City in Gifu Prefecture has been forging samurai swords for over 700 years. On the second weekend of October every year, the Seki Cutlery Festival celebrates the region's long history of blade-making—and offers gorgeous works at discount prices!

Don’t forget to purify your soul before heading to this museum’s display of samurai swords that were designed to do just one thing: kill.