東映太秦映画村 – Kyoto Studio Park

For those who like samurai movies and can spare a half-day in Kyoto, this is a good stop.  Part film set and part theme park, the Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (also known as Kyoto Studio Park) is essentially a reconstruction of a small Edo Period town, complete with a replica of the famous Nihonbashi bridge, Yoshiwara pleasure district, and a kabuki theater.  The streets and traditional buildings are occasionally used as sets for actual films or television historical dramas, which visitors to the park are free to observe.

Inside the kabuki theater, the park holds frequent stunt shows that are performed at set times every day.  The theme of the stunt show changes every few months, and range from ninja fights to re-enactments of samurai conflicts (such as the Shinsengumi’s Ikedaya Incident).  In the traditional streets of the park (samurai sword fighting) demonstrations are also held.  Viewers have the opportunity to be volunteers and try their hand at fighting some of the performers, most of whom are actual actors or actors-in-training with Toei Studios.  My favorite attraction, however, is the indoor studio effects demonstration show, which gives you an idea how samurai films are made in terms of choreography, special effects, etc.  It is both interesting and highly entertaining.  While the park itself is somewhat English friendly, all the shows are entirely in Japanese.   Despite this, that are still quite entertaining and fairly easy to understand.

Aside from the shows and demonstrations, Kyoto Studio Park is riddled with all sorts of additional attractions, including a ninja maze, a 360-degree 3D movie theater, and a haunted house that is rumored to be one of the scariest in all of Japan.  In their reception building they also house exhibits about famous popular TV series, video arcades and games, restaurants, and souvenir shops.  There is an entire half-floor dedicated to the genre TV series, namely Kamen Rider and Super Sentai.

Last but certainly not least, a popular activity at the park is to pay to dress up in period dress and get photographed in more than 30 different attires including samurai, ninja, and geisha (these can range from about 8,500 to 16,000 yen).  Typically this also includes being allowed to wear these period style costumes throughout the park.  Rentals sans professional photographs are also available.

 (These photos were actually taken in 2004…)

Vital Information:

• Open: 9:00 to 17:00 (March to November); 9:30 to 16:30 (December to February) 

• Closed: Infrequent and irregular days for maintenance; Check Website (English) for details

• 2200 yen Admission

• Semi-English Friendly

• 5-minute walk from JR Uzumasa Station; OR: Take a Kyoto Bus and get off at Uzumasa Eigamura-mae or Uzumasa Koryuji-mae bus stops.