This 2-hour samurai course includes 6 activities: Dressing up in samurai kimono + training with a replica sword + sword fighting with a safe replica sword + ninja star activity + blow gun activity
Important Update: A recent Japanese swords and firearms law strictly bans lending a real sword and facilitating activities for travelers that involve using a real sword, aka tameshigiri. During this activity you will only be using replica swords.
If you don't have enough time, reserve the shorter version this activity Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto
or Samurai Sword Experience in Kyoto (Family & Kid Friendly)
＊We kindly request that you contact us in advance regarding the participation of special needs
Ever dreamed of wielding a katana and feeling the spirit of the samurai? Our Samurai Training Experience takes you on a journey through time, where you'll train like a true warrior!
Here's what awaits you:
IN ADDITiON TO THE SWORD TRAINING YOU GET TO DO ALL THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES
Why Choose Us?
Limited Spots Available! ⏰
The samurais may have disappeared or integrated into the modern age of Japan, but their legacy lives on. You will 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.
This experience is the perfect opportunity to take pictures to take home as a souvenir from your trip.
Enjoy an interactive tour where you will get to learn trivia and fascinating facts about Japanese history and culture. You will go through the samurai and ninja exhibits while our knowledgeable guide will tell you all about the displays, from the technical aspects to the wonderful stories that these items carried in their past lives. Ask all the questions you have about the displays and learn about the histories of the samurais and ninjas and when they started.
The tours are available in English.
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.
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Tameshigiri, also known as the Japanese art of test cutting was popularized in the Edo Period and is the ultimate samurai experience! During the Edo period, only the most experienced swordsmen were selected to test swords, so that the swordsman's skill was not in doubt in determining how well the sword cut. The materials used to test swords varied greatly. In modern times, the practice of tameshigiri has focused on testing the ability of the swordsman rather than the cutting ability of the sword. The swords used are generally inexpensive. Practitioners of tameshigiri sometimes use the terms Shito (試刀, sword test) and Shizan (試斬, test cut, an alternative pronunciation of the characters for tameshigiri) to distinguish between the historical practice of sword testing and the modern practice of testing one's cutting ability. Test your skills on tatami cutting mats during your training with a swordmaster.
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.
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!
Our museum is open with tours available every day from 9 am to 6:30 pm.
All participants in the tameshigiri workshop should be at least 18 years of age.
The tameshigiri workshop uses a real katana while the samurai sword training for adults focuses on a non-contact martial art called "Iaido". It is illegal in Japan to allow first timers to get engaged with the tameshigiri experience.
Yes! Our museum staff is fluent in English, but can also provide assistance in Chinese and Japanese should you prefer.
For the sword cutting experience we usually do not accept walkins this means you are highly recommend booking in advance before your trip . You also get 10% discount when you book online. Advanced reservations recommended especially during peak seasons to avoid the crowd.
Yes! We offer a variety of souvenirs along with real samurai swords, replicas, and antique samurai armor.
No, you will be using a replica sword. It is illegal to lend others one's own katan for recreational or training purposes.
Yes! If you came from Maikoya in your kimono, you can inform us if you wish to keep wearing it during your time with us.
The Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto is one of the leading samurai museums in Japan, with a wide range of displays from all throughout Japan’s rich history. We are the only experience-based museum that specializes in providing in-depth and immersive activities that provide our visitors with new perspectives on Japanese history.
We have displays ranging from armors and weapons of the great samurai warriors and the mystical ninjas to everyday tools and artifacts from medieval and ancient Japan. Our souvenir gift shop features replica swords, tabi socks, and tabi shoes.
We provide guided tours every day, lead by friendly staff who are fluent in English and Japanese. Join us as you explore the glorious history of the legendary samurais and the mysterious ninjas!
