Samurai Sword Cutting Experience in Kyoto – Tameshigiri

Try a real samurai katana in our Kyoto Tameshigiri Test Cutting Workshop!

Tameshigiri, also known as the Japanese art of test cutting was popularized in the Edo Period and is the ultimate samurai experience! Test your skills on tatami cutting mats during your training with a swordmaster.

Make your childhood dream of being a real samurai come true with a real sword and a traditional hakama at our tameshigiri workshop – only available at The Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto.

The Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto is a unique, experience-based museum that lets you get up close and personal with history. Our Samurai Sword Cutting Experience in Kyoto – Tameshigiri lets you become a modern-day samurai-in-training for a day!

Book with us online to reserve a slot now!

All sessions are private due to Covid-19.

What happens during the workshop?

Before beginning the lessons and practice, you will be putting on hakama or samurai armor, exclusively available at the Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto. You will be using a real samurai sword or katana during practice and during the trial cutting.

The bamboo mat or tatami used for the exercise will resemble the same strength and density as a human neck, making the experience feel just like samurai training! The tameshigiri is a form of practice for the samurai in old Japan (and now you) and is a way to test the edge of their blades.

Although this experience will focus on the tatami, tameshigiri is also practiced on thin steel, rice straws, and a variety of other materials.

If the weather is good, you will have the sword lesson experience in a traditional Japanese garden as pictured above. If not, the workshop will be held indoors in the historic townhouse.

The swordmaster will be going through the techniques you will need to make a successful cut. You will be given time to practice your posture and stance before proceeding to use your katana on the tatami.

You will be instructed in English or Japanese, depending on your preference. After the workshop, you will proceed to the inclusive tour of the Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto.

This workshop has a minimum age requirement of 15 years old. Participants aged 15 to 18 years will also need to have parental supervision or a guardian during their workshop, as well as a minimum height of 150 cm.

If you are over 18 years old, there will be no minimum height or supervision required.

Book your Tameshigiri Sword Cutting Workshop on this page!

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About the Samurai & Ninja tour

Explore our collection of ancient artifacts and historical samurai swords and ninja weapons from feudal Japan. You will even get up-close looks at the uncanny replicas inspired by the Sengoku Period up to the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Samurai & Ninja museum is Japan’s largest experimental museum and offers unique experiences where you can tour around the medieval exhibits while wearing a kimono, yukata, or samurai armor – a fitting combination for the time period you’ll be exploring. Aside from this, there are also authentic Japanese tea ceremonies and Zen meditation workshops available for individuals and groups. The Samurai & Ninja Museum tour is available all year-round in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

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The Samurai Experience

The samurais may have disappeared or integrated into the modern age of Japan, but their legacy lives on. Experience their legendary tales through the tours guided by the knowledgeable staff at our museum! Not only that, but you’ll also get a glimpse of what it was like to be one of the most prestigious ruling classes of old Japan. Bear the honor of the samurai as you learn how to hold and sheath a katana, just like the samurai and their two swords – one for the enemy, and one for their honorable punishment.

You will be trying out a lightweight replica armor! This can easily be worn by kids and everyone in the family with no problem. The armors are meant to fit multiple sizes and are easily adjustable. You will also be putting on a metal samurai helmet and use a model katana sword!

This experience is the perfect opportunity to take pictures to take home as a souvenir from your trip.

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The Ninja Experience

Experience the thrill of being one of the famously mysterious covert agents in medieval Japan! The ninjas are some of the most intimidating and formidable characters from the Sengoku Period or the Warring Stated Period to the Edo Period. The traditions and practices of the ninjas may have lost their glory days, but the Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto keeps the history alive.

Just like in the movies, our ninja experience lets you try out the famous ninja stars! Also known as shuriken, these are small hand blades that are used for throwing. But don’t worry – our ninja stars are perfectly safe.

The second part of your experience will also include using the ninja blowgun, also known as the fukiya. These can also be referred to as blow darts! You can have a friendly competition among your group during a target practice game too.

All of the rooms and exhibits at the Samurai & Ninja Museum are designed to embody the Sengoku Period, also known as the Warring States Period in Japan. This era was the time when the samurai held extraordinary power over the politics in the country, enough to eventually trigger the reunification of Japan. Your adventure with us will transform you and your friends and family into a modern rendition of the ancient legendary warriors. Our armors come in unisex styles and a variety of sizes for everyone, including children!

The Samurai & Ninja Kyoto also hosts its activities outside the museum upon request. All you need to do is contact us so we can arrange for our affiliated dojos! Don’t forget to check out the museum gift shop for a souvenir. There are also antique samurai swords and armor for sale if you’re an avid collector, along with ninja tabi-socks.

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The Samurai & Ninja Museum is a family-friendly establishment that provides enjoyable activities for people of all ages!

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A Brief History of the Samurai

The samurai are known as the best warriors in the world in their time, and stories about them still circulate to this day, staying as one of the most popular aspects of Japanese history and culture. These warriors were known for their bravery, military tactical prowess, and the “Bushido” or code of honor.

The samurai class rose to power around the 11th century, leading to the feudal age of Japan. They held control over the country and the Imperial court as one of the most powerful and intimidating classes until the abolishment of the feudal system in 1868. Since then, the samurai culture has greatly influenced modern Japanese society, with ideals of honor, respect, and loyalty deeply ingrained into ordinary everyday lives.

The samurai were known to wield a variety of weapons from bows and arrows to swords. One of the most well-known weapons of the samurai is the katana. The katana is an unrivaled quality sword and considered the most deadly and efficient weapon during battle. And although the weapons evolved throughout the time periods, the samurai kept the katana close, believing that it held the soul of the bearer. They also carried a short sword or knife known as a tachi. Wearing a katana and a tachi combination was called daisho, which became the hallmark of the Samurai.  The two swords represented the path of the samurai: The katana was the symbol for fighting a righteous battle, and the tachi was a reminder of personal honor.

As the samurai class dissolved into modern society, their previous skills and education were passed through generations. This lead to the creation of some of the most successful Japanese companies and industries. Tactical skills were applied to managerial positions, and practical skills directly influenced the high-quality manufactured goods in the country. One of the most notable products is the unrivaled Japanese knife, which applied the same techniques and methods as when the katanas were made.

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Skip the lines and book Samurai and Ninja Ticket with us online!

Simply fill the form at the top of this page to schedule a tour and wait for a confirmation email from us. We hope to see you soon!

Need to cancel or reschedule? 

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