Samurai Performance and Casual Experience: Kyoto Ticket
Recommended by 91% of travelers
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Kyoto, Japan
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the art of the samurai during a *kembu* show, a traditional sword performance celebrating the culture of this ancient Japanese warrior class. Head to Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater to admire the intricate movements of traditional and new-style Kembu performances. You’ll also hear a fascinating talk before the performance and have time for a photo session with a samurai sword and the performers post-show.
- Watch demonstrations of the traditional art of Kembu and discover the practices of the samurai
- This evening performance is the ideal end to a day of sightseeing
- Take your own photo with a performer while holding a sword and fan
- Choose from two showtimes to suit your schedule
What's Included
- Watch a Kenbu show in the first.
- After the show, let's enjoy the mini experience with a sword and take phot.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours.4:15 pm
Departure Point
- Samurai Kenbu Theater, 35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku GOZAN Hotel B1F, Kyoto 605-0005 Kyoto Prefecture
What To Expect
Journey back in time more than 700 years, to Japan’s feudal period, as you enjoy Kembu, a sword performance associated with the country’s samurai warriors. This fascinating show combines the grace, beauty and power of samurai sword practice with a chance to learn about the culture of historic Japan.
Begin your performance at Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater, your arrival coinciding with your selected show time. Before starting the show, take off your shoes (in traditional Japanese style) and find your seat. Your show begins with narration from a performer, who provides an informative introduction to the history and techniques of the traditional art of Kembu.
The show then continues with a series of Kembu demonstrations. Before each demo, you’ll hear a short history lesson about samurai culture, detailing the practices of this enigmatic warrior class that dominated ancient Japan between the 12th and 19th centuries. It’s said that Kembu evolved as a discipline to help samurai boost their courage and focus their minds for the rigors of battle.
During the performance you’ll have the chance to admire both traditional and new-style Kembu rituals, each of which involves a performer who will brandish their sword in a series of intricate movements while reciting samurai poems used before heading to the battlefield. You’ll also learn the art of the Japanese folding fan and discover the meaning behind the ceremony of seppuku (ritual suicide), which is also called hara-kiri.
Finish your immersion into samurai culture with a photo session, where you can hold a sword and take a few candid shots with the performers.
Begin your performance at Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater, your arrival coinciding with your selected show time. Before starting the show, take off your shoes (in traditional Japanese style) and find your seat. Your show begins with narration from a performer, who provides an informative introduction to the history and techniques of the traditional art of Kembu.
The show then continues with a series of Kembu demonstrations. Before each demo, you’ll hear a short history lesson about samurai culture, detailing the practices of this enigmatic warrior class that dominated ancient Japan between the 12th and 19th centuries. It’s said that Kembu evolved as a discipline to help samurai boost their courage and focus their minds for the rigors of battle.
During the performance you’ll have the chance to admire both traditional and new-style Kembu rituals, each of which involves a performer who will brandish their sword in a series of intricate movements while reciting samurai poems used before heading to the battlefield. You’ll also learn the art of the Japanese folding fan and discover the meaning behind the ceremony of seppuku (ritual suicide), which is also called hara-kiri.
Finish your immersion into samurai culture with a photo session, where you can hold a sword and take a few candid shots with the performers.
1
Samurai Kenbu Theater
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Approximately 40 minutes of the hour will be the show part, followed by the mini experience part.
- Please come down the stairs on the right side of the toward the GOZAN building to the reception desk.
- Please arrive 15 minutes to 5 minutes prior to the start time.
- If you wish to cancel a reservation, you must do so yourself on Viator.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 117 reviews
John_L, Feb 2026
Was skeptical but this turned out to be a lovely little show. Staff were super friendly and we really enjoyed the performance.
Mariya_A, Nov 2025
The staff was so friendly and made this experience so fun. The whole room was cracking up from laughter at their jokes.
Oriana_T, Oct 2025
Be prepared to be spellbound - I’m not sure if these people are actors or if they actually train in the art of the samurai or both but it was like watching small segments in a live opera but no singing! The narrator comes in and introduces the scene - usually a historical battle, then the actors come on and enact it. It was fantastic. They use real katanas too. At the end you can have your picture taken in the correct pose with a katana. I think it was one of the best things I did on my trip.
Scott_F, Oct 2025
As much as I loved the Kenbu performance, and think I would prefer to something a little more interactive next time.
Penny_B, Sep 2025
Take your shoes off to enter have two types of chairs low to grown and normal. Performance was really good. Taking pictures afterwards was fun
Vicki_S, Aug 2025
Wonderful experience and very informative. Loved it and would highly recommend to learn the history.
HELEN_F, Feb 2025
Small group which was good. Lovely English speaking girl did the intro. 2 Samurai were excellent and it was fun at the end when we took part & had photos. It's near the Gion district which is also good to walk around.
perlinedayan, Jan 2025
A must do if visiting Japan. Great show followed by hands on training and photo session. The staff was so informative and nice...we had a great time!!
Debra_P, Apr 2024
This was a fun show. The show used both swords and hands to teach about the samurai. After the show we got to practice both fan movements and sword movements. It is a fun night out for adults not I would also recommend it for families.
Sai_P, Nov 2023
We were expecting something of a very serious battle performance, but it turned out to be a fun experience and at the same time, a good learning experience. If you're expecting like a battle of swords, please don't come. If you are interested to learn about how samurais used their weapons to convey their emotions, it will be a nice experience.
David_M, Oct 2023
It was a very theatrical way to share a story. It was a great experience! Beautiful show! I would recommend it to anyone.
Lili_W, Jul 2023
A very good cultural experience, especially for kids. The performance is for a small group of people, followed by an interactive mini class. If you are an expert in Japanese culture, this may not suit you. Otherwise, highly recommended!
suzanne_c, May 2023
Loved the demonstration and learning about Samarui. The narration was very good
The interactive session was lots of fun
emese_n, Apr 2023
We had a great time learning about the history of Samurai . Saw performances. Learned few moves ;)
We which we would known you can dress up for the practice .
Also would been fun if a few more performances were on the stage
But overall we had a great time
Thank you !
Julie_D, Nov 2022
This was a super fun experience. Amazing samurai performances and then the opportunity to try it all ourselves. Perfect experience and just the right amount of time. Great family photos too.
Thank you!
Saravanan P, Nov 2019
It was raining heavily outside. Luckily, I booked this tour and enjoyed it very much. It is a trip that I recommend.
Nomad268704, Oct 2019
We really enjoyed this performance and learning about the history of the samurai. They were very impressive and we had a great photo opportunity afterwards.
Valentina_B, Aug 2019
The show is nice and with lots of information about samurai and other things. Unfortunately is difficult to understand their English since we are not English and their pronunciation make it hard to follow. Overall I d advise it
Michaela_M, Apr 2019
I was expecting something more serious and going deeper into samurai fighting methods and training. There was a lot of talking and less action. Plus some "funny" dialogues. I can recommend it for families with kinds. At the end of show is a photo shoot with the actors.
Rowan_G, Jan 2019
A wonderful glimps into the bushido way of the Samurai through art, dance and glimmering of swords. Thank you Samurai Kembo.
Michael S, Apr 2018
The samurai performance in Kyoto was fantastic. It was at the same place as the samurai lesson. Since I had had an afternoon lesson, I asked if I could just switch my performance to the afternoon and they had no issues with that. The venue was small and intimate and the performers did a great job displaying their physicality. Before each section, an announcer would come out and explain in English what the performance you were about to experience was and its relevance to either Japan's history or to samurai culture. Overall, a great performance well worth the price of admission!
Sumudu A, Apr 2018
Worth seeing! The performers took great care to explain the performances to the audience. It would have been helpful to have a pamphlet to help us further.
Henning N, Jan 2018
Our family had a great time at this unique performance. Our kids especially liked learning more about the samurai culture in Japan. The staff had minimal English, but enough for you to understand. Fun for the whole family!
gigi, Oct 2017
I loved the experience and for the first time I had a samurai sword in my hands. They took me very kindly many photos. If you travel to Kyoto, I recommend it.
Hunor_C, Oct 2017
Interesting, moving and at times funny. A great show.
Moe Adi, Aug 2017
Recommended Samurai show if you're visiting Kyoto.
Specially if you want to see something different other than Kyoto temples.
Cesar R, Jul 2017
The performance was great would highly recommend it.
Joel M, Jul 2017
This was very entertaining and they gave us a pair of Samurai socks at the end. A performance I will never forget.
Marie-Anne L, Jul 2017
My brothers and I enjoyed this activity! It was even better than what we thought it would be. The were great explanations, the samurai actors were good and the costumes were very pretty. If you like samurai/japanese history or arts, I highly recommend this activity!
Kristina_D, May 2017
You can tell the time and dedication put into their kembo training. The performers shared so much interesting information with us. They were excellent.
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