Japan · SAMURAI AND NINJA EXPERIENCES IN KYOTO
Every itinerary has one free day too few. These 9 samurai and ninja experiences in Kyoto justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Learn Bushido, wear a kimono, handle a training sword, and meditate in a historic Kyoto samurai house during this 1-hour-45-minute experience.
“Truly enjoyed this experienced, so rich in authentic history and fun! I highly recommend booking this experience.”
Train in kendo, wear samurai gear, and learn sword etiquette in a 120-year-old Kyoto machiya with an English-speaking instructor.
“We enjoyed ourselves very much. This was a more interactive experience than I'd anticipated, but that worked to our benefit. Suiting up and listening to the history of the art was fun and informative. FYI: This event took place in a lovely residential area along a winding path. If you're traveling by train it would be best to take a taxi from the station to the front gate.”
Learn samurai sword movements, wear traditional costume, take photos, and watch Kenbu in Kyoto with expert English-speaking instructors.
“Very fun! Got to learn some basic katana strikes, dressed up and took some photos. Then there was a mini kenbu show which highlighted the art of the samurai vs the combat”
Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum offers a lively one-hour tour with armor, replica swords, shuriken throwing, and practical samurai history.
“Kids entertainment only. Very small rooms, bad condition, no time to watch or study at all Not recommendable, not worth at all to be named a museum at all”
Learn ninja breathing, sword skills, shuriken, kunai, and blowgun techniques in a small Kyoto dojo class led in English.
“We enjoy our time at this dojo. Definitely a great activities mostly if you have kids. And great item to take as souvenirs”
Forge a real-steel shuriken or kunai in Kyoto, learn ninja lore, engrave kanji, and take home a handmade keepsake in 150 minutes.
“The experience is something that anyone visiting Kyoto or even Japan in general, it will be an experience they will never forget. All the instructors were professional and knowledgeable on all the techniques and history of the ninja blacksmithing process. They were funny and enjoy and engaging. I will never forget this experience and if I ever come back to Japan, it would be one that I would do again and bring friends.”
See Kyoto’s graceful samurai sword dancing, learn Kenbu basics, hear English-narrated tales, and handle a sword in a one-hour theater experience.
“What an excellent way to be introduced to Samurai and Kendo We throughly enjoyed the show and phot opportunity afterwards Thank you”
Train in a Kyoto dojo with Yushin Sensei, dress in samurai gear, learn a katana kata, and watch a striking two-sword demonstration.
“We booked this hoping for a more authentic approach to a samurai experience and we were beaming when we left at the end! Yushin, Jordan and John took their time explaining what being a samurai is all about and what it was centuries ago too. What made it more special was it was done in a genuine dojo where they have a community that learn the ways of a samurai together, and it felt like they really appreciated the art as it should be appreciated. You get to learn some moves, dress up in some training gear and watch the pros cut mats with a genuine katana. We loved every…”
Train in Kyoto with a Japanese ninja master, wearing ninja clothes while learning meditation, sword skills, shuriken, blow darts, and more.
“I could say I love this experience a million times! I traveled over solo and wanted to do something spontaneous in Kyoto and this was the perfect fit. They dressed you up in their own designed ninja attire and walked you through all the basics. They took pictures and videos for you that you get to your email the same exact day which was amazing. The staff was so sweet and patient with us and the group was not so big that you couldn’t enjoy yourself. Definitely try this out!”
Pick a city, a season or a counter.
