From ¥13000 ¥8900
Cancellation and refund policy
No cancellation fee, cancel any time
Winter Campaign Enter the coupon code "snow" for an ADDITIONAL 20% OFF
Online reservations only.

Click button below to make a payment.

Back to the event list

Samurai Sword Experience in Kyoto – Tameshigiri – at Samurai and Ninja Museum Kyoto

Age 12+

Samurai test-cutting tameshigiri experience in Kyoto (Tameshigiri)

Your childhood dream now comes true. You will be wearing a hakama or samurai armor (only available at the samurai and ninja museum) and use a real samurai sword to cut tatami mats. This centuries-old samurai practice is called Tameshigiri. It was born as a form of martial arts since the samurai always had to train to perfect their skills especially during the time of peace. Test cutting is used to check both the quality of a samurai sword and also the sophistication of the sword using skills of the samurai. There are many different materials to test the quality of cuts including thin steel, rice straws and tatami mats. In this experience you will use a material shown in the picture (tatami mats made out of bamboo).

    • Use a real samurai sword
    • Short sword lesson and sword practice included
    • Dress up like a samurai
    • Once in a lifetime experience
    • Feel like a real samurai
    • Free tour of the samurai and ninja museum included 
    • Ninja experience included
    • The lowest price guarantee (similar experiences cost more than $100)
    • Convenient location in the Downtown area

This activity takes place inside the Kyoto samurai  & ninja museum (rated #1 museum in Kyoto) that is located right next to the Nishiki Market. You get a free guided tour of the samurai museum that is full of ancient artifacts, authentic samurai swords and tons of replica armors from the feudal Japan. You also get a tour of the ninja exhibitions. Being Japan’s largest experiential museum, the venue also provides kimono and yukata experiences, tea ceremony services and zen meditation services in case you have a friend or a family member who is coming along. You can have this experience on any day of the year.  Don’t forget to check out our samurai and ninja gift shop the only English-speaking place in downtown Kyoto that sells real samurai swords, replica swords, and antique samurai armors. We don’t make you just cut the tatami mat with a sword, we make you feel like a samurai and learn everything about the samurai culture and history. Come step into the ancient Japan and become a samurai for a day.

Kyoto swords

Sword display at the Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum

  • Maps
  • Organizer

    Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum

    "Kyoto samurai & ninja museum. Kyoto's best rated samurai, ninja, martial arts and history museum. Our samurai souvenir gift shop also has swords, katana, tabi socks, tabi shoes. A samurai village and samurai house feeling including a ninja dojo inside the museum. The ninja park for kids and a separate kimono tea ceremony room for families also available. Samurai and Kyoto have always been associated throughout history. From the early Heian period to the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate the samurai and ninja always roamed the streets of Kyoto. Now they are back! What is more, you can have a hands on experience including wearing a samurai armor, doing a shuriken (ninja star) throw and ninja blow gun. Japan's largest experience based museum dedicated to the glorious history of brave samurai warriors, everlasting ninja fighters and the martial arts. Located in the heart of Kyoto.
    Address: Teramachi Utanokoji building 2F, 292, Higashidaimonjicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 〒604-8043 google map 
    Phone: 075-585-5410
    After booking online you will get your voucher instantly via email!

    Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
    1- Is there a samurai show every day and every hour? Yes we continuously have samurai shows all the time. If sensei is not there, you are given voucher to come watch the samurai show on another day.
    2- Is there are samurai gift shop in the museum? Yes, we have many samurai and ninja goods for sale.
    3- Do you sell real or replica swords? Yes we sell both new and antique swords. We also ship them overseas for a small fee if you ask.
    4- Do I need a reservation? We accept walk ins but it is cheaper to buy tickets online. Additionally, if you are visiting as a group, we can serve you better when we know what time you'll show up.
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...