Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum — Attraction in Setouchi

The swords on display are beautiful but unless you can read Japanese to a high level you won't get that much out of the experience. Access is difficult- 20 minutes down a nasty road from Kagato or 35 minutes from Osafune- but the staff will book you a taxi back to the station if you ask.

Demonstrations are only at certain times of the month. There is a really solid video showing you how the swords are made which is worth watching. You can see the forge where they make swords any time and while we were there craftsmen were polishing and engraving swords.

If you've rented a car to get around Okayama it's worth a visit, but otherwise I wouldn't bother as you can see swords of this caliber in many museums...

"Out in the sticks" and a 25min walk from the nearest station (Kagato, from Osaka), taxis are a rarity in this area. If however, you have a keen interest in the ancient art of Japanese sword making, both katana and wakizashi, then this museum is not to be missed. They have a number of katana on display dating back to the 13th century. Also in the compound are various active workshops, covering all the steps in the production of the katana swords, which all samurai carried and used for...

Its a great place to see if your intersted in nihon to. The museum contains some important koto swords but is as small as the one in Tokyo. Great to meet masters on the subject, forging, saya, tsuka maki. rich souvenir shop. On Sunday special workshops where you can see the masters at work. There is also a very special nihonto/katana shop nearby . Ask at the museum . If its on your way its worth going but...