Sengoku Photo Studio Samurai - Shibuya, Tokyo

Maverick Zag

Awesome photo studio for samurai warlord armor. The experience is amazing and knowledgeable, the staff takes you back to feudal Japan Edo period. I highly recommend this if you’re interested in samurai culture. So much fun to add to your Japan trip.

Kamil Kelner

I had the best experience with my brother and I. They selection of armour, swords, and backgrounds were amazing. They will even help you with posses if you can't think of any of your own. Putting on the armour made me feel like a real samurai and the pics came out so good. It's easily worth the price for the great pics and great experience.

norman brooks

A super terrific operation. We were shooting a concept book cover for a Samurai based romance novel in progress and needed both studio space, costumes and talent. Their expertise on everything Samurai cannot be equaled. Photographers in their own right, they “got” my shot list immediately and quickly organized everything. The quantity and selection of costumes was simply terrific. I can’t recommend their services highly enough.

Ruby Leigh

I booked this for my little brother who loves everything samurai and who also happens to be on the spectrum and the photographers here are so, so awesome to work with. They gave the best directions, taught him new Japanese words. It was really awesome to watch them work. 10/10 experience. Get this for any samurai enthusiasts in your life.

Erick Poblette

Un gran estudio de fotografía, el personal que nos atendió fue muy atento y amable. Lo que más me gustó fue su actitud, la gran variedad de armaduras y que parece que entras a una armería. Además, el que te expliquen la historia de la armadura y los samurai de Japón es algo que se agradece.

Ariel Fernandez

This was so much fun. This was so much better than I ever could have imagined. The staff were so kind and accommodating. They had an amazing assortment of armors to choose from. I went with the European inspired armor. This is most certainly a must do when in Tokyo. Absolutely mind-blowingly incredible. I truly cannot recommend this experience enough. It was the best!!!

J L

Super recomendado, excelente trato y servicio, atentos en todo momento y nos explicaron acerca de las armaduras que tienen hasta que mi esposo seleccionó la que usaría, luego al vestirlo te van explicando acerca de cada pieza que la conforma y finalmente cómo portar la katana. No puedo más que agradecerles y recomendar sus servicios.

Robert

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.