Kyoto Samurai Experience
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kyoto, Japan
- 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture with this small-group samurai experience at a traditional samurai house in Kyoto. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior;" handle a real martial arts sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.
- Immerse yourself in traditional culture at a Kyoto samurai house
- Practice swordsmanship basics and try on a traditional kimono
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure times
- A small-group tour ensures a personalized experience
What's Included
- Professional instructor
- Use of a martial arts training sword
- Zen meditation experience
- Photos of the activity
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Kyoto Samurai Experience / Waraku111 Inabachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8803, Japan
Our front gate faces the street across from the elementary school and has a curtain with our logo. Gates open 15 minutes before your session. Please arrive early to change into samurai attire, as we start on time. Contact us ahead if you need help finding us.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Try your hand at samurai life on this small-group samurai experience in Kyoto. Your guide will explain all things samurai, including dress, zen meditation, the philosophy of Bushido, and how to use a martial arts training sword.
Easily meet your guide and group at the departure point. Then change into a traditional kimono and start to practice swordsmanship.
You can choose from either a morning or afternoon session, based on your itinerary. No matter which time of day, you’ll come away from the experience having learned the way of the warrior.
Easily meet your guide and group at the departure point. Then change into a traditional kimono and start to practice swordsmanship.
You can choose from either a morning or afternoon session, based on your itinerary. No matter which time of day, you’ll come away from the experience having learned the way of the warrior.
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
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- If you have questions about accessibility, please send us a message and we will be happy to help.
- Please wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear for an athletic activity
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult
- Rescheduling may be possible, depending on availability, but is not allowed within 24 hours of your scheduled session.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 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 1,420 reviews
John_S, Jul 2026
This was a highlight of our trip, and it was a great chance to learn about history and culture through a hands-on and fun experience. We learned about za-zen, got to handle a 600 year old sword and, of course, got to lean about wielding a Japanese katana. The staff, translators and instructors are all patient, professional, and knowledgeable.
Elizabeth_P, Jul 2026
The overall experience was great and I highly recommend it. We started with a history lesson (during which we got to hold a katana that is 650 years old), then had a workshop of sorts on zen meditation and its relationship to the samurai, and then we had our actual lil training and practice experience. The sensei was great and who doesn't enjoy cutting things with a sword? We had awesome pictures taken too, some which were quite funny. The overall ambiance was great, and the gals who acted as the assistants and translators were lovely. Can't recommend this experience enough.
Tony_C, Jul 2026
Excellent Samurai experience. The session takes place at an authentic samurai home. The two samurai masters who led the experience were amazing. Their instructions and the history of the samurai are shared by English speaking assistants. Overall, a 5/5 experience including every student having an opportunity to demonstrate their quickly learned skills!
Cheryl_S, Jun 2026
Did this with my 20 year old son and his friend and we all loved it. Where else do you get to learn to use a samurai sword over 100 years old? Everything was well explained, safe and the demonstration was amazing. Would do it again if I get back to Kyoto.
Karen_R, Jun 2026
Educational and fun and they take excellent pictures capturing the experience for you. By far one of our favorite activities that we’ve done in Japan that really captures the essence of the samurai era.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We're really happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us!
Joshua_L, Jun 2026
Great experience with a great staff! They were kind, thoughtful, and ensured an amazing experience! Learned cool history and sword technique!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for visiting us! Glad to hear we were able to make your experience smooth and exciting!
Sarah_G, Jun 2026
Awesome experience! We got to hold a 600 year old Samurai sword, see an expert Samurai in action, have a guided meditation to prepare our minds then actually have a go at using a Samurai sword on a wet block. The experience was held in a historical Samurai’s house with a very interesting history. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for visiting us! We are overjoyed to hear you had fun immersing yourselves in samurai culture!
Chris_R, May 2026
Really enjoyed this experience. Wife booked this for my son and I for some bonding time and 100% would do this again. The history and the training was enjoyable and really liked the class size. It was great to get away from the crowds and get into the history of the Samurai.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Having families join us is always a wonderful thing for us. It makes us even happier when they leave with smiles! Thank you very much for joining us!
Kristin_D, May 2026
They are real swords. This is a memorable authentic experience. Don’t think about it - just do it. Wonderful employees, very supportive and safe.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Lovely to hear that you felt welcomed at our experience! Thank you very much!
Jarrett_B, May 2026
I cannot say enough great things about this experience. From the Samurai Sensei to the assistants, everyone was so authentic, welcoming and made the experience very real. Holding the ancient Samurai swords (not fake) was an unreal experience. Beating the Samurai war drum and the historical explanation to start really set the mood mentally for the main event which was being taught how to hold and swing a real Samurai sword. You WILL come out of this experience changed and feeling like a real Samurai.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We are so happy to hear that you felt fully immersed in our experience! Thank you very much for your visit and for the kind words!
Moataz_M, May 2026
Love it highly recommended it was the highlight of our trip! Look without hesitation you won’t regret it
Response from Host, May 2026
We are pleased to hear that you had such a wonderful time with us! Thank you very much!
Valerie_G, May 2026
Loved the whole experience from having the opportunity to wear samurai attire, hearing about the life of a samurai warrior, watching a warrior display his expertise with his sword, practising the movements with a wooden sword, taking part in an exercise with a real sword and finally hearing about the use of the different size swords. The hosts were very professional and informative and at the end of the experience we were sent a number of photos as a momento of our day.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a lovely review! We really are so grateful that you came and we hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Kyoto.
Sara_C, Apr 2026
Great experience, highly recommended! It is not the typical touristy experience, rather a more traditional one.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for partaking in the tradition!
Rakesh_K, Apr 2026
A fantastic one of a kind experience. Must try for anyone remotely interested in samurai and/or swords
Response from Host, Apr 2026
So glad to hear that you enjoyed your time here and we appreciate you taking the time out of your day to leave a review!
Roi_G, Mar 2026
Super friendly . Amazing experience. I would do it again. This was one of the best moments i ever had.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much! Happy to have made it special for you!
james_d, Mar 2026
Super fun! Learned a lot. 2 adults and a 13/10 year old. Handling the sword was the best but just being in the home was a memory in itself. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Glad to have made it a special time for your family! Thank you for visiting!
Adriana_B, Mar 2026
We really enjoyed this activity. Well organized and the staff was very friendly. They dressed us all up at the beginning. Both the interpreters and the master were very knowledgeable. We got to learn very interesting facts about the samurai and the specific house we were in. We saw a demonstration from the master accompanied by flute playing, we did zen meditation and also some sword appreciation holding real swords. The best part, of course, was the sword training and slashing with a real samurai sword! First we learned the moves with wooden swords and then we all got to apply those moves with a real one. The master was very kind and patient and explained everything throughout the session, always looking out for our safety as well. It was very exciting! I definitly recommend it for anyone who wants a real samurai experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your review! We're happy to have made it a fun experience for you!
Jaime_O, Mar 2026
Take your time getting there. Depending on where you are staying, you may hit traffic. It was an amazing cultural experience with the ability to have a hands on experience on using a katana sword. The ones we used are a bit different than the "real" ones, for they are much heavier. We were broken into two groups. Half of us went outside for the sword experience and the others were inside doing breathing/meditation exercise and then we switched. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for visiting us! We're really happy to hear that you could enjoy your experience with us!
Jonathan_B, Mar 2026
It was fun with a blend of practice and history. The staff were helpful, kind, and gracious. I really enjoyed practicing and if anything I would like to have done more but we had a large group.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
Elisa_S, Mar 2026
Wow! This was amazing. We got to hold ancient Samurai swords, learn about Zen meditation and its importance in focusing the mind for Samurai. We then learned proper sword technique and did real sword practice! So much more in depth than we had imagined. Must do!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We're very happy that you had an enjoyable experience with us! Thank you very much for
the review!
Andrea_R, Feb 2026
Spectacular! They explain everything very well, and you can truly feel that samurai vibe and energy through the clothing, the surroundings... everything. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive; an authentic experience.
kylehowlettapple, Feb 2026
Was awesome fun! Very cool to be in an ancient samurai house,lots of details onnthe history of the samurai and shoguns
Matthieu_G, Feb 2026
Very complete experience, interesting knowledge about the history and the samurai world, serious and in small group.
Breanna_M, Feb 2026
Very fun cultural experience. The Katana and the tea experience was very nice. We were paired up with another family but it was still great.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We really appreciate your review! Thank you very much for visiting us!
EricaS, Feb 2026
Was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! Took my two 20 and 21 year old sons. We all loved it. Authentic, interesting, respectful, fun and we learnt a lot. Very well organised. Definitely worth the cost 👍
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks so much! We’re thrilled you and your sons enjoyed it and found it worthwhile. We hope to welcome you again should you find yourself in Kyoto in the future.
SAUD_A, Feb 2026
it was good👍👍👍👍 we entered 15 minutes before the reservation and the let us wear the japan traditional clothes and the host are very friendly
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We appreciate your kind review! Thank you for arriving early as well. We truly appreciate your visit.
Lan_C, Jan 2026
My husband and our son had a great time at this class. They both had lots of fun spending quality time together. Thank you 🙏🏻 highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for leaving a review! We are so happy to have provided your family with a fun experience!
Bryan_S, Jan 2026
This was the most authentic and “non-touristy” tourist activities I’ve ever experienced, in any country. The Instructors are all legit masters of the sword, and they put on flawless performances of Japanese sword mastery. Their instruction was clear, concise and polite; all in Japanese through very professional polite interpreters. There were people of all different ages and levels of physicality in attendance, but the instructors made everyone feel included, and everyone was able to perform the basic cuts with real katana. My interest in Zen and Bushido was re-ignited by this experience. The traditional house and property is a true historic samurai residence, and these classes help to preserve it. I could have spent all day there.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We are so happy to have been a highlight of your trip! It truly us guests like you that make our experience all the more exciting! thank you very much for taking the time to write out such a lovely review!
Katie_M, Jan 2026
The staff made us feel very welcome and explained the structure of the session well. It was a particularly cold day but they looked after us with hadwarmers and hot tea during the outdoor session. The location is not ideal and quite out the way but we felt this was worth the travel.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your review as well as for visiting us during such a cold season in Kyoto!
AbdelKodir_D, Jan 2026
The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, we felt welcomed from the start. A very insightful and fun experience!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We are truly glad to have been able to share samurai culture with you!
From $114.08
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Current
Kyoto Samurai Experience
1,420
1 hour 45 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
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