The British Museum’s Samurai exhibition is just the start – here’s where to explore Japan’s warrior past

The British Museum’s Wildly Anticipated Samurai Exhibition Is Now Underway

And we are, safe to say, obsessed…

Myth vs. Reality

While everyone is fascinated by Japan’s legendary warriors, much of what we think we know about them is more myth than reality.

The Truth Revealed

Luckily, the truth is even more amazing, as the exhibition reveals, using real-life samurai objects, from swords and armour to paintings, clothing and porcelain.

Explore Samurai Heritage in Japan

To gain a deeper understanding of samurai history and culture, you can travel to Japan itself.

There, you’ll discover places where the samurai legacy lives on, from the castles they lorded over to mountain passes that once echoed with the sound of their footsteps.

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Competitions and Opportunities

We’ll also reveal the details of an incredible competition to win a two-week, samurai-themed tour of Japan. So, keep your eyes peeled!

Oda Nobunaga and His Legacy

One of the warlords appearing in the Samurai exhibition is Oda Nobunaga, whose quest to unify Japan in the 16th century inspired Nobunaga’s Ambition, a long-running video game.

Exploring Nagoya

Nagoya Castle, where he spent some of his childhood, still towers over the modern city of Nagoya and is a must-visit for any samurai enthusiast.

As you walk around the grounds, keep an eye out for the armour-clad warriors (don’t worry – they’re actors), before admiring the wall and screen paintings in the magnificent Honmaru Palace.

Like the castle keep, the palace is a reconstruction, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive!

The Three Unifiers

Nobunaga is known today as one of the ‘Three Unifiers’ of Japan alongside fellow samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were also raised locally.

Ajinbaori (surcoat) supposedly owned