Eri Hirose, Senior Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization, takes us on a virtual tour of fascinating places for star Wars Fans for a visit before or after star Wars Celebrate Japan.
If you would like to participate star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, you are already there for one of the biggest celebrations star Wars events in every galaxy next April. But there are many other ways to connect with the Force beyond the convention grounds in Japan. You can visit the castle of The hidden fortressone of Akira Kurosawa’s films that inspired him star Warsor follow in the footsteps of real samurai who served as the model for the Jedi Order.
If you’re ready to play the galactic tourist, we recently spoke with Eri Hirose, a senior director at the Japan National Tourism Organization, to get some ideas to add to your holiday travel plan.
Filming locations of Akira Kurosawa
With a career that spanned 50 years and 30 films, Akira Kurosawa is often considered one of the most influential filmmakers in history. His films inspired other filmmakers, including George Lucas, who was inspired by Kurosawa’s 1958 film A Galaxy Far, Far Away The hidden fortressamong others. One of the clearest connections between The hidden fortress And Star Wars: A New Hope is that in both films two main characters help a princess who leads a rebellion. But Kurosawa’s visual style, including the framing and quality of his images, also inspired Lucas’ filmmaking. Several places that shaped Kurosawa’s work can be visited in Japan today, including Akizuki Castle in Fukuoka Prefecture, which is an important setting for The hidden fortress.
If the castles on the mountain tops are not enough for you, you can also visit Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture, where battle scenes were filmed for Seven Samurai. In particular, Lucas’ favorite Kurosawa film, one of the most direct homages to the Seven Samurai Story can be found in the second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in an episode called “Bounty Hunters.” Or you can take a stroll through the Nagamachi samurai district to experience for yourself what it would be like to be in a Kurosawa film.
Hiking in Yakushima
While it’s not quite Endor, you’ll feel like you’re just around the corner from seeing an Ewok on Yakushima Island. Located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima is home to ancient cedar forests, waterfalls, and other wilderness features that make a perfect place for a Return of the Jedi-style. The island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. It has forest trails suitable for walkers and hikers of all levels – including some guided walks in English.
If you fancy a 10-hour hike one way, at the end of the Arakawa Trail you will find the Jomun-sugi, a cedar that rivals even Yoda at an estimated 2,000 years old.
Samurai and Bushidō – Jedi inspiration
There are a number of cultural influences everywhere star Warsincluding that of traditional Japanese warriors known as samurai. Samurai were a warrior class in Japan that existed for hundreds of years, known for their swordsmanship and code of conduct that later became known as bushidō. Sound familiar? The Jedi were influenced by various elements of real-life samurai, from their lightsabers to the Jedi Code itself. If you want to learn more about samurai culture and its influence on the Jedi Order, you have the chance to try on a full suit of samurai armor at the Bushidō Samurai Experience at Shiroishi Castle in Miyagi Prefecture. Or visit Hayashizaki Iai Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture to experience your own version of Jedi training—a hands-on experience that includes a lesson in iaido, “the art of sword drawing.”
The birthplace of Ninja
True ninjas were another class of warriors during Japan’s feudal period who were often trained in martial arts and became known worldwide as masters of disguise. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Fans, you may already be thinking of Krismo Sodi and the Kage Warriors, first introduced in the season four episode “Bounty.” The Kage warriors bear a striking resemblance to ninjas, particularly in their mastery of unarmed combat, the use of electric swords, and stealth.
If you’re ready to delve deeper into the origins of the ninja and maybe even discover your inner Kage warrior, Iga City should be on your stop list during the festivities. Considered one of the birthplaces of the ninja, Iga City is home to the Igaryu Ninja Museum. You can learn all about ninja there, view exhibits of equipment, and even watch performers demonstrate the techniques and tools that ninjas used.
These are just a few places and activities in Japan that can help you connect even more with the Force during your visit before or after the celebration. Have fun and may the Force be with you.
Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 will be held April 18-20, 2025, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, Japan.
