Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day
Recommended by 98% of travelers
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Kyoto, Japan
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Learn how to bow and draw a samurai sword from a master instructor
- Upgrade for a longer practice session to learn skills in more depth
- Take souvenir photos dressed up in samurai costume
- An ideal activity for martial arts enthusiasts and history buffs
What's Included
- English-speaking local guide/instructor
- Photo shoot
- Tenugui towel (Japanese traditional towel)
- Lesson completion certificate
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Japan, 605-0005 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Sanchōme, ３５
[Exact address] Samurai Kenbu Theater/605-0005 Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto city 35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku GOZAN Bldg. B1F *It's located on the 1st basement floor of the GOZAN Bldg.(former NeoArt Bldg.) *Please come down the stairs on the right side of the toward the GOZAN Bldg. to the reception desk.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Study the arts of the samurai, the warrior class that ruled the battlefields of ancient Japan for centuries, during this practical lesson in Kyoto. Practice the graceful, stylized movements that make up the samurai technique as you handle a sword and uncover the discipline of kembu, a samurai performing art that’s been perfected over many hundreds of years.
Start your samurai training by making your way to the Kembu Kyoto Dojo. Your class time will vary depending on the length and option you have selected. Meet your instructor and watch a short 3-minute film detailing the basic practices of the samurai, the warrior class that dominated feudal Japan between the 12th and 19th centuries.
Then suit up in your samurai uniform, including a white belt, Japanese-style socks and, of course, your sword. Start your experience by learning the proper methods to bow, then begin your sword training with an introduction to drawing it and replacing it in its protective scabbard. As you attempt to master this tricky technique, you’ll also test out various methods of striking the sword.
Take a moment during your training to suit up in a traditional samurai costume for a short photo session before learning how to wield the sword against a potential opponent. For those that selected the shorter session, your experience ends here with a respectful bow to your instructor. Grab your photos and a certificate of achievement before departing.
Optional upgrade: If you booked a longer lesson, continue to learn stylized movements of the samurai, including how to walk and to use the folding fan, if you wish. Complete your session with some challenging kenbu choreography, which you will perform with your sword on stage, accompanied by a poem and music.
Start your samurai training by making your way to the Kembu Kyoto Dojo. Your class time will vary depending on the length and option you have selected. Meet your instructor and watch a short 3-minute film detailing the basic practices of the samurai, the warrior class that dominated feudal Japan between the 12th and 19th centuries.
Then suit up in your samurai uniform, including a white belt, Japanese-style socks and, of course, your sword. Start your experience by learning the proper methods to bow, then begin your sword training with an introduction to drawing it and replacing it in its protective scabbard. As you attempt to master this tricky technique, you’ll also test out various methods of striking the sword.
Take a moment during your training to suit up in a traditional samurai costume for a short photo session before learning how to wield the sword against a potential opponent. For those that selected the shorter session, your experience ends here with a respectful bow to your instructor. Grab your photos and a certificate of achievement before departing.
Optional upgrade: If you booked a longer lesson, continue to learn stylized movements of the samurai, including how to walk and to use the folding fan, if you wish. Complete your session with some challenging kenbu choreography, which you will perform with your sword on stage, accompanied by a poem and music.
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
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- For safety reasons, please follow the instructor's instructions on the day.
- Please arrive 10 minutes to 3 minutes prior to the start time.
- On the day of the event, please come to the first basement floor from the stairs on the right side of the GOZAN building.
- If participants are between the ages of 5 and 11, it is preferable that they are attending some kind of class or martial arts school.
- Please wear clothes suited for exercise and moving around. Visiting in a single hoodie or tights is not suitable for costume changes
- If you wish to cancel a reservation, you must do so yourself on Viator.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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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
4.9
based on 204 reviews
Farah_W, Mar 2026
This was a great experience to learn some moves with the sword, learn about samurai and Kenbu, and watch the amazing performance at the end. Highly recommended!
Manish_P, Dec 2025
This was a great activity. They did an awesome job explaining some of the history of the samurai. We learned a few basic sword moves. Everyone got dressed as a samurai and took some photos. And finished with watching a performance by the staff that was excellent. Overall very friendly staff with good sense of humor, but they are good at their craft and did a great performance. Wife and 3 kids all enjoyed the experience
Karl_c, Dec 2025
Was fun and informative. Easy to book. In English so easy to understand. Make sure you allow for time at end. Sometimes runs a bit over
Tetyana_H, Oct 2025
The samurai experience in Kyoto was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the world of samurai culture. Dressing up in traditional attire was a fun start, and we felt like true warriors as we learned sword moves and practiced techniques with expert guidance. The highlight was definitely the dance with katanas—both exhilarating and mesmerizing!
We also enjoyed a live performance that brought the samurai tradition to life in a way we hadn’t expected. To top it all off, we had a photoshoot at the end, capturing memories of our time as samurai. This experience was both fun and educational, and we left feeling like we had truly stepped into history. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an exciting, hands-on cultural experience in Kyoto!
Nicole_F, Oct 2025
A lot if fun with my 17 year old son, who has no patience for museums or long explanations. The workshop was hands on, with a sword and costume, exactly what we needed to get a taste and some knowledge about Samurai s
Katie_P, Jun 2025
One of the highlights of our trip to Japan! My husband and I had the best time not only dressing in traditional outfits but also learning the moves and performing for each other. 10/10 experience!
Michelle_M, Jun 2025
Easy to find venue. The show was delightful and it wasn’t too crowded. Afterwards, my family and one other family got to learn how to use katana. We chose what we wanted to wear as traditional garb. We had plenty of time to take pictures. Highly recommend.
Jeanne_T, Apr 2025
We were taught how to wear the samurai costume and how to use the katana. We absorbed a lot about traditional Japanese samurai culture and respectfully watched a mini show after our lesson. Terrific experience for those interested.
David_M, Apr 2025
We got dressed and trained in Samurai techniques for close to 1 1/2 hrs and then got to see their show. Great experience and very fun with a very patient teacher. Totally worth it!
Lucy_W, Apr 2025
We didn’t really know what to expect but we came away thinking what a fun time we’d had.
Everyone was really friendly and welcoming.
Samantha_T, Apr 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Was a lot of fun learning how to use the sword and getting to have photos in samurai outfits was awesome.
Najeeb_N, Apr 2025
The show at the beginning is too long and we thought we were booking only a 15 minute show but it was almost an hour before getting to the interesting part of actually playing with the swords. The lesson itself was great though with a great teacher!
Tee_W, Apr 2025
Awesome Samurai experience with great trainers. Fun and informative, with chance to wield the sword and don the outfit
Brad_M, Dec 2024
Fantastic class. Could not recommend any more. My partner and I were the only couple in addition another group of 9 that was playing around a bit more than wanting to learn.
They noticed this and near the latter 30 minutes, pulled us aside into a separate room gave us a private 2 person course with the owner teaching us more advanced techniques. We were having a 10/10 great time before , but their politeness and expectations for the class are sky high.
We had a blast and got some great photos.
Donna_H, Dec 2024
Wonderful and fun way to be educated regarding the samurai. Our group of 8 considered this a huge highlight of our trip.
MaryMargaret_H, Oct 2024
Great experience! This is a must do if you have time in Kyoto. This really is a class and you will learn how to hold the sword ,pull out the sword, and strike and thrust. We did this with seven family members and really enjoyed our experience . Don’t hesitate to take this class. This was a huge win for all seven of my family members. So much fun.!
Joshua_H, Oct 2024
Went with my partner and had a fun time throughout! Enjoyed the session being only for a small group (there was only one other couple at our timeslot). The instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Paul_M, Oct 2024
The staff was very organized and professional. Their skills were outstanding! It was great to have a lesson and use a sword. Highly recommend!
Naama_S, Oct 2024
We had a great time!
The teacher was amazing- so nice, explained very well and in general has so much knowledge.
We highly recommend this experience 👌
Julia_C, Oct 2024
The performers are extremely talented. Our instructor actively competes and is the 7th generation of family trained in the samurai arts. We really enjoyed the show and the lesson.
Utkarsh_C, Sep 2024
Overall average experience, we had little kids who made mistakes, however the intructor was strict. The show was good.
Sarah_B, Aug 2024
Great time for the whole family! We really enjoyed the show portion and getting to dress and learn some moves with the katana.
Ralf_L, Aug 2024
You get a short but intensive introduction into using a sword doing Kendo. Very friendly and always helpful guide. Thanks.
Rebecca_T, Aug 2024
I can thoroughly recommend booking this experience. Our three teens loved it - as did us oldies. We did the training/dressing up/photos first then watched the show, which helped us really appreciate the skill of the performers. The staff were super helpful, the performance was excellent, and we have amazing memories and photos of a fantastic afternoon.
Mercedes_S, Aug 2024
The show, costumes and class were excellent. We were disappointed with the rushed photo shoot with our own camera. We were hoping for some good posed shots in our beautiful Sumarai costumes with our swords to memorialize our experience, but the pictures were not good at all and rushed due to other classes waiting. If this improves then it is a 5 star experience.
Marco_C, Jul 2024
This is an interesting event if you want to learn about the Samurai culture and be one for a couple of hours! The demonstration was educational, informative and fun. It is a must do if you want to learn more about Japan's antique traditions and culture.
Michael_M, Jul 2024
We have a great time learning about the Samurai. I would highly recommend, what a awesome family experience.
Dani_D, Jul 2024
Really fun, great performances and a extremely entertaining class on how to use the katana in relation to the samurai performances, also really informative about samurai history
Carmen_C, Jul 2024
This experience was Amazing! We enjoyed every part, from dressing in traditional Samurai Kimono, learning how to use the sword and the performance at the end.... Would definitely come again....
Stacy_E, Jul 2024
Loved this experience! It was a rainy day so this was perfect for something to do inside. We learned a lot from getting dressed in the costumes to learning the moves. The best part was the end when the staff did a show for us!
From $64.37
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day
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