1/11
Free cancellation
Manual confirmation
Swordsman Miyamoto Musashi Tour
Next available dates
Sun
1 Dec
Mon
2 Dec
Sun
8 Dec
Available options
Bestseller
Half Day Tour
Free cancellation
Manual confirmation
Duration: 4 hours
Next availability: Sun, 1 Dec
From
AUD 411.98
Highlights
Embark on a journey to Kumamoto, where the unrivaled swordsman Miyamoto Musashi spent his later years, and visit places associated with him. Begin with a tour around the Shimada Museum where several items related to this famous swordsman, such as his swords and portraits, are on display. Afterwards, visit Nishi-no-Musashizuka, said to be one of the possible burial sites of Miyamoto Musashi. The last stop of the tour is Reigando, the cave where Miyamoto Musashi retreated and wrote about swordsmanship and martial arts in general in The Book of Five Rings, to spend some time meditating and think about what the famed swordsman's twilight years must have been like.
Itinerary
Shimada Museum of Arts
45 minsAdmission Ticket IncludedThe Shimada Museum of Art houses many items related to Miyamoto Musashi. Look forward to seeing swords said to have been owned by Miyamoto Musashi, as well as portraits such as those of this legendary swordsman and that of his duel with rival Sasaki Kojiro at Ganryujima. Enjoy a guided tour by the director along with explanations from the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. If the director is unavailable, explanations will be given by the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter.Nishi Musashizuka
20 minsAdmission Ticket FreeAt Nishi-no-Musashizuka, in the family grave of Terao Nobuyuki, one of Miyamoto Musashi's students, there is a natural rock inscribed with characters for "Harunobu Koji." Harunobu is Musashi's real name, and Koji is the title for a man who devotes himself to Buddhism without becoming a priest. Terao Nobuyuki's brother, Terao Magonojo, is said to have been Musashi's most important student, and to whom the manuscript of The Book of Five Rings was given. There are several places in Kumamoto City that are thought to be Musashi's grave. There is a theory that his body was actually buried in the Terao family grave, so this tour will visit the Nishi-no-Musashizaka, "The Western Grave of Miyamoto Musashi."Reigando Cave
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedSpending his last 5 years in Kumamoto, Miyamoto Musashi retreated to the Reigando cave and composed The Book of Five Rings. The Book of Five Rings is a text on the essentials of the art of war, such as secret techniques of swordsmanship. Take a moment to imagine the fabled swordsman in this cave, and spend some time meditating. At Unganzen-ji Temple, a swordsmanship display by Musashi's disciples and The Five Hundred Disciples of Buddha can be viewed. The Five Hundred Disciples of Buddha (Gohyaku Rakan) are a large number of stone statues, each distinctly shaped like disciples of Buddha, placed alongside a narrow path on the rocky mountainside from Unganzen-ji Temple to Reigando. In case of inclement weather, the meditation experience will not be held in the cave; instead it will be in a hall in Unganzen-ji Temple.
What's included
INCLUDED
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter fee
Hotel drop-off (Only for hotels in Kumamoto City)
Other admission fees, experience fees, and transportation costs included in the tour
NOT INCLUDED
Fees other than those listed in Includes
Additional information
Must Know
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Good To Know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note that participants may not join partway through the tour. Also, participants may join only from the meeting location specified in advance
Itinerary locations and itinerary order may be changed depending on weather conditions and operating conditions of locations to be visited. Even when changed, the tour charge will not be refunded
If it is difficult to have the meditation experience in the Reigando cave due to inclement weather or other reasons, the experience will be held in a hall in Unganzen-ji Temple
There will be an accompanying National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter from the tour meeting location to the tour end location.
Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with hired car seats and experience activities. If seats or experience activities are required, please make a booking under the child rate.
Please participate in shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. As some locations require shoes to be taken off, please bring socks or wear them in advance.
As large luggage such as suitcases cannot be brought during the tour, please leave them in a locker or at your hotel before participating.
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour.
Location
Address
4-5-28 Shimasaki, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan 860-0073
Provider
JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.