Samurai Outlaws, Crime & Punishment Tokyo Offbeat Tour

Kabuki, swordsmanship, ukiyo-e, jujutsu, sword appraisal, Western medicine, ghosts, drugs, and even outcasts of society—during the Edo period, one place connected them all. That place, central to Edo culture, was the execution grounds. ■ Punishment and Execution Grounds: The Birthplace of Japanese Culture When we think of Japanese punishment, seppuku comes to mind, but Edo punishments went far beyond. On this tour, we follow the path of a young samurai executed for murdering over 130 people, visiting his crime scenes and the northern and southern execution grounds of Tokyo. We will see towering statues that witnessed executions, giant memorials for the condemned, pedestals once used in executions, and wells where severed heads were washed. We will uncover how these grim places shaped the very heart of Japanese culture. Want more insider stories, culture deep-dives, and Japan life tips?