BUGAKUZA · Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
A 1-hour session in Asakusa with Koshiro Minamoto, who founded bugaku in 2006 as a blend of samurai martial arts and noh: a short lecture, a live sword and naginata show, then you try the postures. Pick it for an hour that fits between Senso-ji and lunch, with a part where you move, not just watch.
Bugaku here means a modern performing art that joins samurai martial arts with noh theatre. Koshiro Minamoto founded it in 2006, and he performs the show himself. It is not kabuki, and it is not the old court dance that shares the English spelling: the name is written with the characters for martial and music. Think of it as a close look at how a samurai stood, moved and drew a blade, staged with noh-style poise.
The session runs 1 hour inside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, the Kengo Kuma building that faces Kaminarimon Gate. It opens with a lecture on the philosophy of samurai arts, then a live performance with sword and naginata, the curved-blade pole weapon. After that you join in from your seat, trying samurai postures, noh gestures and traditional chanting, and it ends with a photo with the founder in costume. The instructor speaks English and Japanese, and groups are small, per the listing.
When you finish, take the lift to the free 8th-floor observation deck for the view over Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree. Wear something you can move in. A second option adds a samurai outfit photo at Kaminarimon, and the meeting point can differ for it, so check your voucher. This is a new listing, so there are no guest reviews to show yet.
Meet at the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, across from Kaminarimon Gate. Check your voucher if you booked the outfit-photo option.
A short talk on bugaku and the philosophy of samurai arts, in English.
Koshiro Minamoto performs a live bugaku piece with sword and naginata.
Guided from your seat, you try samurai postures, noh gestures and traditional chanting.
A commemorative photo with the founder in traditional attire.
Head up to the free observation deck for views over Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree.
Read next:
A modern performing art founded in 2006 by Koshiro Minamoto, combining samurai martial arts with noh theatre. It is a different art from kabuki, and from the ancient court dance that shares the English spelling.
1 hour, per the listing: a lecture, a live sword and naginata show, a hands-on part and a photo. You can visit the free 8th-floor deck afterwards.
The listing says all ages are welcome, no experience is needed, and children under 4 are free.
Inside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, facing Kaminarimon Gate. The meeting point can differ for the option with a samurai outfit photo.
Ready to book
A samurai-arts show by Kaminarimon, then try the postures yourself.
Noh & Kyogen at the National Noh TheatreNoh and kyogen at the National Noh Theatre, about 2 hours, with English subtitles on a screen at every seat.★ 5.0 · 2.5 hours · from $26
Asakusa Taishu Engeki Show at Mokubakan TheatreTaishu engeki at Asakusa Mokubakan: dance and drama by a touring troupe, up to 90 minutes, photos with the cast.★ 4.6 · 1.5 to 2 hours · from $21
Ninja Kabuki Show & Izakaya Dinner in ShinjukuSword fights, taiko and dance in Kabukicho, then kushikatsu skewers and gyoza at an izakaya near Shinjuku East Exit.★ 3.9 · 3 hours · from $81