Top Kyoto Martial Arts Classes

Feel like a Samurai warrior by taking part in a Samurai sword experience. Learn Samurai skills in a safe setting with a blunt sword and guidance from a trained professional at the Samurai and Ninja Museum. Dress the part and also get the chance to throw a ninja star. Take a free tour of the Samurai and Ninja Museum, too, with admission tickets included.

Go beyond the ancient castles and historic sites and immerse yourself in the culture of Japan's feudal era with this private kendo experience in Kyoto. Under the careful guidance of your teacher, learn how to handle a Japanese sword like a samurai in preparation for the main event: slicing a tatami mat with a sword.

Unleash your inner warrior in this samurai experience in Kyoto, where you’ll don traditional clothing and wield a katana. This experience offers more than just a photo opportunity–you’ll learn about the history of samurai, too. Watch a demonstration of how to properly swing a sword before trying it for yourself.

Find out what's it's like to be a ninja. This small-group beginners class in a Kyoto dojo introduces you to the basics of ninja training. You'll learn how to breathe, walk, and meditate like a ninja, practice throwing ninja weapons, and learn how to use ninja swords. It's a unique Japanese experience for all ages.

Prepare for battle and learn the skills of the samurai during an interactive class studying the ancient Japanese martial art of kenbu. Learn everything from basic choreography movements to more complex actions that incorporate a sword and folding fan. After your class, participate in a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion and a souvenir towel.

Get dressed up in authentic samurai armor in Kyoto and experience a rare, hands-on look at Japan’s warrior past. This three-in-one experience includes an armor fitting, a traditional calligraphy session, and a premium matcha tea experience to help you do more in less time. Also, to ensure you have well-composed images of your time in armor, the on-site staff can help take your photos.

Fans of samurai and ninja history—this one’s for you. Enjoy an immersive tour in Kyoto where a guide takes you around the Samurai and Ninja Museum. See preserved artifacts up close and enjoy hands-on experiences during your visit, such as wearing samurai armor, throwing a ninja star, and posing with replica swords.

Step into the world of real samurai training in Kyoto! Join the Kyoto Branch of Asayama Ichiden Ryu Hyōhō, a 400-year-old Kobudo (classical Japanese budo) tradition still practiced today. Unlike tourist sword experiences, this activity lets you train alongside actual students under authentic guidance. Feel the spirit of Japan’s warrior culture as you learn the fundamentals of Iaijutsu (quick-draw katana techniques) and Kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship) using bokutō (wooden katana). If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing true samurai discipline in a traditional Kyoto dojo, this is your chance. *Please note that this is not a tourist activity, but a genuine training session with actual students. As a general rule, we do not accept participants with no prior budo experience. However, if you are very eager to join, please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

Samurai are most renowned for their military might and prowess while embracing a strong sense of honor, grace, and poise. Experience the artistic side of the samurai through this Kenbu experience. Kenbu, literally meaning 'sword dance', is a Japanese traditional performing art that uses a katana and folding fan to convey the culture and spiritual nature of the samurai via swordplay, dance, and poetry. In this experience, learn and practice aspects of the etiquette of samurai classes, try on traditional samurai costume, and enjoy a show performed by expert Kenbu masters. Take an opportunity to hold a katana and experience the literal weight of being a samurai. Guests will also get to take a commemorative photo of their experience.

If you’re interested in Japan’s ninja culture, then this is the experience for you. Rather than just watching ninja movies or visiting a museum, this hands-on experience allows you to forge a real ninja weapon. Safely learn how to heat, hammer, and shape your weapon, with guidance from skilled craftsmen. Then, engrave your weapon and have a memorable souvenir to take home.

Brush up on your martial arts skills during this kendo lesson in Kyoto. While the sport is widely practiced across the country, many instructors don’t speak English, making it harder to learn. This class is a great entry-point into kendo, as your instructor has experience teaching in English and can break down concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

This is the ultimate ninja experience for the whole family. You’ll have a lot of fun, and increase your knowledge about ninjas too. You won’t have to worry about what to wear, as ninja outfit rental is included. Highlights include throwing ninja stars (shuriken), and using a ninja blowgun. At the end of your experience, a visit to the Samurai and Ninja Museum is included.

Ninja culture is not something visitors to Japan can just easily immerse themselves in, but this 2-hour, hands-on lesson offers an exclusive experience. In a small group of no more than six people, learn ninja techniques including ninja breathing, ninja meditation, and how to wield a ninja sword. Dress in ninja clothing too, for great photos of the experience.

Test your skill and precision, if you hit the target 3 times out of 16 arrows, you'll earn the honor of writing your name in traditional Japanese calligraphy, proudly displayed in our 160-year-old dojo. Train in a historic setting with expert instruction and enjoy a fully immersive seated archery experience.

Unlike typical sword shops, this shopping experience offers direct access to a dojo where real Kenjutsu is practiced and taught. You’ll be guided by a martial arts expert and assisted by Let's ask Shogo, a popular YouTuber with over 1.8 million followers and 10+ years of Iai (katana budo) experience. The katana you’ll see are hand-selected by a master—some crafted over 600 years ago. Whether you’re a collector, martial artist, or simply fascinated by samurai culture, this is a rare chance to discover a katana with true soul and history. *This experience is strictly intended for those who are seriously considering purchasing a Japanese katana. Please do not book a session if your only purpose is to meet Shogo or simply to look at katanas.

Tomoyoshi, the instructor, will give you a short lecture on how the ancient swordsmanship of Samurai developed into Kendo. He will share the heroic stories of ancient Samurai including his great-grandfather, Yoshishige Hayashi. He will also share the controversial influence of Bushido values on this nation and his family into extremism, especially during the period of WW2. He will end his story on how redemption came and led him to the current inner peace and the life of a pacifist. After the lecture, you will wear the full Kendo armor and learn the basic Kendo movements. In the end, you will get to do a Kendo match with each other. Upon completing the workshop, you will receive a beautifully designed “Certificate of Experience”. If the date you want isn't available, please contact us to inquire about availability.

Why Choose This Experience: ★ This is NOT an activity for tourists but real katana training done for local students ★ Train in an authentic dojo with a master who has over 20 years of experience ★ Witness a powerful two-katana performance by the master—something you won’t see anywhere else

Studio Tomi offers basic karate training and exciting performance experiences. Authentic karate uniforms are available for rent at the studio. We begin with basic training by putting on the sleeves of the gi and tightening the obi. After learning about breathing and the spirit of etiquette, a professional trainer will perform a dance. We also have a performance called “Saiwari”. This is done by breaking the board with your bare hands. Since it uses the power of energy to break, even women and children can easily break it. At the end of the experience, we plan to take a commemorative photo wearing the gi. The experience is completely private and limited to one group per lesson, so One of the attractions is that you can participate only with close partners. The trainer who teaches the training has 25 years of experience in karate. He is a talented former kickboxing champion, so participants can enjoy a meaningful karate experience even in a short amount of time.