I've had my fair share of armor experiences in castles and museums from Osaka to Matsushima, but what sets this shop apart from all of them is the feeling that you've become a protagonist in a movie set.While it isn't anywhere close to a historical monument or relic, there is still an air of authenticity in the place from the moment you make the ascent to the 3rd floor. The hallway is narrow to bottleneck any enemy attack. The armor isn't just a single piece you can slap on yourself with zero difficulty — it is an intricate reproduction of the original down to its weight and to the little sounds it makes when you move around (of course a few tweaks had to be made for practicality, such as reducing Masamune's cuirass from 5 pieces to 2). And let's not forget the waraji (sandals)!You will be managed by a team of three who really know their stuff. For me, it was Taro-san, Junko-san, and Tateki-san. Taro-san, the director and photographer, was well-versed in samurai history and I enjoyed discussing NHK taiga dramas (because their theme songs were playing in the background for mood music) and samurai crests with him. Junko-san was in charge of photos and editing. Plus, she made sure my wife and child were comfortable in the studio. Tateki-san is the fight choreographer, which is fitting since he is both a sword instructor and tournament champion. He will make absolutely sure that your poses with the blade are authentic, including tiny details such as hiding your thumbs so they don't get cut off. Interestingly enough, he has samurai ancestors.If you have both the time and the budget, I highly recommend this experience. It will feel like a full-course meal, where you savor every stage without being rushed by the staff because you are the hero of your time slot. And they also have extras such as a capsule toy machine and a small selection of relevant books for further immersion.In fact, I had so much fun that I came back for seconds... with my high school friends in tow.
