KYOTO
Kyoto’s most-loved days out.
The 15 most popular samurai & ninja experiences in Kyoto. What each one involves, how long it runs, what it costs, and who you book with.
Practice samurai sword basics in a Kyoto house, try on a kimono, learn Bushido, and finish with Zen meditation in a small group.
Most Popular“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.”
Practice kendo like a samurai in a 100-year Kyoto machiya. Suit up, learn safe sword basics, spar, and get photos and videos.
“Amazing activity!! Taka did an amazing job with the explanation and the experience! He has a great energy and explains everything with patience and happiness! 100% recommend coming here and doing it!”
Learn Kenbu in Kyoto with a small-group samurai sword class, costume photo session, and a bonus sword-dance performance.
“I truly never write reviews, but these guys went SO above and beyond, and the whole experience was so fun and interesting and memorable, that I had to. Interesting, brief historical overview; great authentic outfits that we got to choose (and they let us keep a souvenir from it, which was so sweet)! The training…”
Skip the lines at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum for a 1-hour guided, hands-on intro to samurai and ninja culture, with armor and shuriken.
“We had a great informational and fun time with Naromi, she filled the tour with many insightful facts. Thank you.”
A 1-hour Kyoto dojo ninja lesson with outfit rental, meditation basics, and hands-on throwing and sword practice in a small group.
“Absolutely amazing experience; we learned so much and loved the interactive portion. My son says this was the best part of his trip!”
Forge a Kyoto ninja shuriken or kunai in 150 minutes with real steel, kanji engraving, blackening, and a take-home box.
“It was a lots of fun and the final product was stunning!”
Kyoto’s Samurai Kenbu sword-dancing show blends English storytelling, katana technique, and a short hands-on lesson near Sanjo for $32.
“The show was beautiful and graceful, it was great to learn more about samurai history and story telling through dance. The sword lesson at the end was good fun too.”
Train in Kyoto’s real samurai dojo with modern Musashi-style instruction, practice katana drawing and kata, then watch a two-katana display.
“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…”
Small-group ninja training in Kyoto with Kuji-In meditation, breathing and weapon skills, plus ninja outfits and same-day photos.
“It’s official! We’re Ninja certified. Such a fun experience! Full Ninja attire. Swords, stars, shuriken, blow darts and more! The instructors were great!”
Train at a Kyoto dojo to learn samurai bowing and sword-draw basics, try costume photos, and optionally extend into kenbu stage choreography.
“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 movRead more”
Private tea ceremony in a 300-year-old Kyoto samurai house, plus matcha and sake or whisky tasting, with kimono and katana photos.
“This experience was beautifully curated, blending education and tradition throughout. Beginning with the matcha-making ceremony was a wonderful introduction. We then enjoyed taking memorable photographs in a kimono, followed by tasting sake and Japanese whisRead more”
Kyoto Samurai Sword Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum: Iaido with a safe replica, ninja star throwing, and museum tour ticket included.
“Riku provided the best experience I’ve encountered thus far on my Japan Visit. I feel like I went through actual training to become a Samurai. I am grateful for the knowledge this museum had to offer. Thank you also to Riu for taking us on a guided tour and allowing us to interact with the…”
Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour with samurai dress-up, real helmet, shuriken throwing, and English commentary in a small group.
“My tour guide was excellent! She explained everything in detail, and related how the samurai and ninja figured in Japanese history.”
A family-friendly ninja and samurai workshop in Kyoto with hands-on shuriken and blowgun practice plus a museum tour.
“If you ever had a childhood dream of playing Ninja, this is the best way to do it. We had so much fun throwing stars, using a blowgun and sword fighting. We thought it might be hokey when it was advertised as “kid friendly”, but it was legRead more”
Watch Kembu sword-performance in downtown Kyoto, then try moves and take photos with performers holding a sword and fan.
“The staff was so friendly and made this experience so fun. The whole room was cracking up from laughter at their jokes.”
Every district, every season, and every way to see the old capital.
