Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Kyoto, Japan
- 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Training zinc alloy katana and training gear
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 452-4 Matsugaechō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8034, Japan
We’re located next to “Red Rock Kyoto" on Rokkaku-Dori (Rokkaku Street). You’ll see signs for our dojo out front, and the entrance is behind a blue vending machine and down a spiral staircase that has the dojo name written in mirrored characters on a blue Japanese style gate.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- 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
- You must be 12 years or older to participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 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
5.0
based on 312 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
It was very long, there were a lot of people and while we appreciate the detail - Most of us touring Kyoto want to spend the little time we have doing many things. I felt the Samurai Master could be more mindful of the time.
We really liked it, it had more of a feeling of taking a private martial arts class with katanas, that a touristy attraction. Was worth it.
This is absolutely not a touristy gimmick — it’s the real deal. You train in a true dojo with a real Sensei and his team, and the small group size makes the whole experience feel personal and immersive. They provide all the clothing and equipment, and learning the history while practicing the movements was genuinely fascinating.
Yoshino and Jordan were fantastic instructors, making everything engaging, hands‑on, and memorable. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a truly authentic samurai experience.
What a wonderful experience with Yoshino, Jordan and Ken!! Real life dojo with trained samurai professionals, but also great family fun.🤩
Amazing amazing experience!! Yoshino and Jordan were great teachers, and the experience was so interactive and educational. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to do a real samurai experience!!!
one of the most amazing times3 of my life. the samurai experience. bucket list item and Viator did a great job in helping with the experience.
-Manoj B.
We had an incredible samurai training experience in Kyoto. The instructors were welcoming, patient, and passionate about sharing the history and spirit of the samurai tradition. From learning how to properly handle the katana to practicing basic movements and techniques, every part of the experience felt authentic and meaningful.
What we appreciated most was how the training combined discipline, focus, and culture in a way that was both educational and fun. Wearing the traditional attire and practicing in such a historic city made the experience even more memorable.
If you are visiting Kyoto and want something unique beyond the usual sightseeing, we highly recommend trying samurai training. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip.
Dear Sensei Yoshino and Jordan,
Thank you for the unforgettable experience. Your guidance, patience, and passion made the lesson truly special.
Sensei Yoshino, we appreciated your wisdom and authenticity throughout the training. Jordan, thank you for your kindness and encouragement.
Your team of four disciples for a day from New York
Great introduction to samurai training and culture at a real dojo with an actual sensei. Appropriate clothing and equipment provided. Very fascinating to learn the history and go through some motions. The instructors also allowed photo and video throughout the session. Would highly recommend for a local experience in Japan!
Best way to feel like a samurai for the day, the dojo was clean/small and good for the group. The staff and sensei were amazingly attentive and informative. Good instruction and time and money well spent! Would definitely go again
An absolutely amazing experience today. Being a martial artist for different styles I can appreciate the skill and techniques of the Sensei and his students on this once in a lifetime experience. The class was well thought through, very easy to follow but detailed enough to appreciate. Thank you for making my trip to Japan extremely special.
The session was handled professionally with Sensei and instructing senior student in their Dojo. There was clear and easy instruction and we received an appreciation of the Samurai, their environment and blade history and use. We were taught one kata with a Katana which was a lot of fun and shown much more. A great session and one I would repeat again.
This is a wonderful opportunity to be taught in a real dojo with a real sensei and one of my most enjoyable experiences in Japan. Yoshino Sensei’s student, Jordan, did a great job interpreting and running through sheathing and unsheathing, then teaching a mini kata. There was an exam after with Yoshino Sensei grading. There were also explanations on traditions, methods, terms, and a very special demo of katas by Yoshino Sensei. Letting tourists handle real katanas was recently made illegal so don’t expect to take a try at rolled up bamboo mats, but both Jordan and Yoshino Sensei showed how it’s done and I was more than happy. It was a great blend of lecture and participation, a genuine experience not a tourist trap. If that’s what you’re looking for, this will be a couple of hours you will cherish.
Real dojo experience learning sword technique. Very well done with Sensei Yushin , Jordan (English) and Ken
Hi went to the Yushinkan dojo in Kyoto and done some hands on training with sensei Yoshi was a great experience actual learned how to do the basic moves with a real katana sensei Yoshi and his student Jordan worked with us and by the end we all were doing the moves.
If anyone wants to do this sort of thing this is the place as it’s a proper dojo you will have a great experience doing it.
Ralph Havard
I went with my 16 year old son, very fun session, with interesting information about history and culture.
Would def recommend.
Good level of hands on experience in getting into traditional outfit, and wielding a sword.
An exceptional samurai class experience in Kyoto! The session was engaging, well-structured, and deeply rooted in history and tradition. This experience was both educational and fun. A unique cultural highlight that I highly recommend—truly a 5-star experience!
Yoshino sensei and Jordan provided an incredible experience for our group from start to finish. It was informative, educational and enjoyable. Arigato!!
Authentic DoJo. Real life training on basic samurai skills. Real performance by martial artists towards the end to highlight how the skills translate to actual actions.
This was a great experience at an actual dojo with a real sensi. The hosts were wonderful and the activity was fun.
We had an absolutely incredible samurai training experience that felt truly authentic from beginning to end. The training took place in a real dojo, not a staged or touristy setup, which made it feel deeply special and immersive.
The sensei was the real deal — calm, focused, and incredibly skilled — and you could immediately feel the respect and tradition in the room. What made it even more unique was that there were apprentices assisting throughout the session, creating a genuine training atmosphere rather than a performance.
Every movement was taught with intention, and you could sense the discipline and history behind what we were learning. It wasn’t just about technique — it was about mindset, presence, and respect.
This is not a tourist attraction. It’s a rare opportunity to step into a real part of Japanese culture and experience it firsthand. If you’re looking for something meaningful, authentic, and unforgettable, this is it.
This was a wonderful experience, living out a chance to take some first steps in learning this ancient martial art. The sensei and his assistants are true masters, and took us along their road, step by step, with clear instruction and wonderful encouragement. Not bad for an old lady about to become a great-grandma!
Very practical activity. On arrival given samurai clothing to wear and your own katana to practice with. Satisfying learning the kata moves during the session. Great demonstrations by the team and good photo opportunities.
Genuine, authentic Samurai experience with Sensei Yoshino at his dojo near Nishiki Market and major shopping district along with his able instructors Jordan and Kem. Dressed in traditional training outfit, we received technical instruction and background historical information to practice basic katana sword techniques. We were guided by instructors and Sensei in drills to ensure safe and correct methods. Instructor and Sensei demonstrated kata drills and then used actual katana sword to slice tatami omote pole. Very informative, fun and entertaining. Highly recommend if you want real samurai experience not a clown show.
This isn't some cheesy 'tourist trap', it is a genuine dojo with a profound atmosphere.
The entire experience was incredible from start to finish. The staff is absolutely top-notch; a huge thank you to Haruka, who was so helpful and welcoming throughout our visit.
The Sensei is a true, modern-day samurai. His knowledge and presence are commanding yet inspiring. We had an amazing lesson on how to properly handle and use a katana, which was both challenging and rewarding. To top it all off, we witnessed a breathtaking demonstration by the Master himself, his precision and skill are simply on another level. Don’t miss!
Super fun and unique experience! Our whole family enjoyed it. Definitely would recommend it for families visiting Kyoto.
Very interesting and challenging experience. Learned from a true master. Not a tourist trap. Teaches real martial arts in a dojo. Teaches both Japanese locals and tourists. Also provides amazing photo opportunities.
Absolutely a great experience training in a real dojo! It was so much fun learning different ways to handle a sword.
Very welcoming, fun, and interactive! The instructors were warm, knowledgable, and skilled. They went out of their way to make it a special experience.
I have learned the safety of how to handle the Samurai Sword, the history of it and what it was used for and who was able to use the Samurai swords. The training was very informative and fun. Our senses was very friendly and informative and very knowledgeable. A lot of important information on Samurai swords and training. I loved it!!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for joining our Samurai Training! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about the safe handling of the samurai sword, its history, and its role in samurai culture. It’s wonderful to know that the training felt both informative and fun, and that Sensei’s friendliness and knowledge stood out to you. We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and are very happy you loved the experience. Thank you for training with us, and we hope to welcome you again!
Five stars! Amazing instruction and attention to detail. Unique experience with real swords! Kind, fun instruction! My kids had a blast!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for the five-star review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your children had such a fun and memorable experience. Our training uses iaito, which allow for safe yet authentic practice, and we’re glad you enjoyed the instruction and attention to detail. It was a pleasure to train with your family, and we hope to welcome you again in the future!
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$125.39
per personWas $131.99(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto
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