Visiting Japan: places to go, shops to see ?? :)

[EricM]

hi all

I will go in Japan very soon for 10 days.

 

I am wondering if you know nice places to see in Tokyo or Kyoto for nihonto ?

For Tokyo, i have read that the sword museum and shops around seems to be a nice start.

 

Furthermore do you know some shops with affordable prices (in the 1000-5000$ range)?

What i have read so far is that the prices are very high as they only sell top quality swords! (cannot afford a juyo

 

thanks in advance

EM

[YukouYukimura]

I have heard many people speak of Aoi Art highly: http://www.aoi-art.com/

[Jean]

From Darcy's website (a reference) :

 

http://www.nihonto.ca/trip.html

 

I will repeat again, whatever the budget, if you want to buy a great sword on a trip to Japan, make Sokendo your first stop. They have items starting at 300,000 yen and then going all the way to this signed Yasutsuna (not for sale hee hee) so there is something for everyone here.

[YukouYukimura]

Ah! Thank you so much for posting that link Jean! I had previously read that and found it amazing. I had to reformat my computer and lost it though. But when I read this post I immediately thought of that website!

 

Also, not sure if this is the same place as mentioned in the Nihonto website, but I found this:

 

http://www.sokendo.net/samuraisoad.htm

[Jean]

Probably. Just drop a mail to Darcy to be sure.

[Lorenzo]

It is not very close to kyoto but if you would like to visit the country side of the Bizen region, it might be a good Idea to visit the Bizen Osafune Token Village, sword factory/museum in Osafune, Okayama prefecture.

 

http://www.city.setouchi.lg.jp/~osa-tok ... /index.htm

 

I think many of us has visited there. The two times I went was very informative.

 

Here are other informations:

http://japantrip.tripod.com/Japan/osafune.html

[Rich T]

Sokendo is in Harajiku and is one of the best stores in Japan, you can visit the Meiji Jinja while your out there. Their selection of fittings I was shown (not on display) was unbelievable. I also recommend Ginza Choshuya, Japan Sword, Ginza Seikodo and Iidakoendo for not so cheap but really amazing items.

 

I'll be there in August for 3 weeks and am hanging to get back to the shops and museums.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[EricM]

thx for your advice