Japan · SAMURAI & NINJA EXPERIENCES
Armour you can wear, a live blade under supervision, or a museum that explains what the armour was for. These 15 are compared on how hands-on each is, how long it runs, and what suits children.
Review of Tokyo’s Samurai Restaurant Show, with neon effects, samurai, dancers, two drinks, practical tips, value, and honest drawbacks.
“The Samurai show was the highlight of my trip to Japan! The performance was incredibly entertaining, and the atmosphere of the venue made the experience even more memorable. Highly recommended!”
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.”
Explore samurai armor, ninja history, shuriken throwing, and a samurai dress-up session on this lively one-hour Tokyo museum tour.
“Nami our guide was fantastic and shared lots of information on samurai and ninjas and life in japan. throwing shiruken and dressing as a samurai was an added bonus.”
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”
Train in a real Tokyo dojo with samurai descendant Yoshioki Sumida, learning katana forms, sparring, cutting, and Japanese archery.
“Sensei was cooI and I really liked how he was very passionate and careful about teaching samurai sword and archery. It was fun having him around the class correct and “scold” you while repeating the steps. At the end of it Sensei would sign a certificate that each had learned the basics of both disciplines. Recommended as a very unique experience to try while in Japan.”
Train in authentic kendo armor at an Osaka dojo, learn samurai traditions, spar safely, and take home free photos and videos.
“It was a fenomenal experience I had a lot of fun and everyone was really kind helpful and knowledgeable not just of the sport but the history, will definitely come again if I get the chance”
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.”
Dress as a samurai in Tokyo, learn basic katana moves, stage a sword fight, and take home photos from this lively one-hour experience.
“So much fun! You definitely get to learn techniques and about the swords themselves. Then at the end you get to put some of your skills to the test! Can’t recommend this enough if you are really into being a samurai!”
Dress as a ninja, learn about samurai and ninja tools, throw stars, and hunt for treasure in this 75-minute Tokyo family activity.
“So much fun! We had an absolute blast dressing up and learning how to use Japanese Ninja weapons. We highly recommend adding this to your Kyoto trip”
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”
Watch a dramatic samurai performance at Tokyo’s Kanda Myojin Shrine with drinks, optional dinner, and cast photos after the show.
“Very entertaining show, excellent performance by the casts. Overall really great production! Food was basic but delicious, service were also great. Highly recommend this show to everyone, adults and older children (our kids, 10 & 12 years old enjoyed the show very much).”
Dress as a samurai, learn iaido with a safe replica sword, tour a small museum, and try ninja stars at Tokyo’s Asakusa experience.
“We were advised to get there early which we did and the venue wasn't even open. We didn't get a tour as mentioned on the add. The experience was more stressful than fun. Not something I would recommend”
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