Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

Kyoto, Japan

From $65.71

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Prepare for battle as you learn the skills of the samurai during this interactive class studying the basic techniques of these ancient Japanese warriors. Pick from multiple durations—with longer classes including more complex movements using a sword and folding fan. When your class ends, enjoy a photo session with your samurai costume and receive a certificate of completion as well as a souvenir Japanese towel.

Enjoy a hands-on samurai Kenbu class in Kyoto
Learn from a master instructor how to bow and draw a samurai sword
Upgrade for a longer practice session and perform choreography
Enjoy a photo session in costume and receive a certificate

What's Included

English-speaking local guide/instructor
Photo shoot
Tenugui towel (Japanese traditional towel)
Lesson completion certificate

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Japan, 605-0005 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Sanchōme, ３５
[Exact address] Samurai Kenbu Theater/605-0005 Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto city 35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku GOZAN Bldg. B1F *It's located on the 1st basement floor of the GOZAN Bldg.(former NeoArt Bldg.) *Please come down the stairs on the right side of the toward the GOZAN Bldg. to the reception desk.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Study the arts of the samurai, the warrior class that ruled the battlefields of ancient Japan for centuries, during this practical lesson in Kyoto. Practice the graceful, stylized movements that make up the samurai technique as you handle a sword and uncover the discipline of Kembu, a samurai performing art that’s been perfected over many hundreds of years.

Start your samurai training by making your way to the Kembu Kyoto Dojo. Your class time will vary depending on the length and option you have selected. Meet your instructor and watch a short 3-minute film detailing the basic practices of the samurai, the warrior class that dominated feudal Japan between the 12th and 19th centuries.

Then suit up in your samurai uniform for the day, including a white belt, Japanese-style socks and, of course, your sword. Start your experience by learning the proper methods to bow, then begin your sword training with an introduction to drawing it and replacing it in its protective scabbard. As you attempt to master this tricky technique, you’ll also test out various methods of striking the sword.

Take a moment during your training to suit up in a traditional samurai costume for a short photo session before learning how to wield the sword against a potential opponent. For those that selected the shorter session, your experience ends here with a respectful bow to your instructor. Grab your photos and a certificate of achievement before departing.

Optional Upgrade: If you booked a longer lesson, continue to learn stylized movements of the samurai, including how to walk and how to use the folding fan if you wish. Complete your session with some challenging Kenbu choreography, which you will perform with your sword on stage, accompanied by a poem and music.

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
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Minimum age is 5 years
Please wear clothes suited for exercise and moving around
On the day of the event, please come to the first basement floor from the stairs on the right side of the GOZAN building.
Please arrive 15 minutes to 5 minutes prior to the start time.
Visiting in a single hoodie or tights is not suitable for costume changes
If you wish to cancel a reservation, you must do so yourself on Viator.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

155 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 155 reviews

Wonderful demonstration...

SaiSravan_M, Apr 2024

Wonderful demonstration of kembu, samurai art. Would recommend the kimono samurai experience. Tonnes of fun🙏

Fab hands-on experience

Ulrike_J, Apr 2024

Was a fantastic experience to wear traditional Japanese clothes as well as learning a couple of basic samurai moves. We had a lot of fun and the instructor made the time fly 🤩

Fun afternoon experience

Meghan_M, Mar 2024

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our instructor came from a long line of performers which was fascinating to learn about. Be prepared for a bit of an arm workout. If you're not used to the movements, the katana will seem a little heavy.

Highly recommend

ANA_F, Mar 2024

Amazing experience! Family friendly.My husband and kids enjoyed this tremendously. It was a very enriching experience.

Samurai’s from CA

Nicholas_Z, Mar 2024

10/10 recommend. Brother, Dad, and I had a blast. As part of our first time in Kyoto we wanted to also experience the Samurai culture. This class was fun and all about immersing yourself in the experience. Highly recommend this for families or couples. Worth it!

Beautiful garments and fun experience!

Nande_G, Mar 2024

The studio was easy to find, right next to a small coffee shop. The class was pretty action packed, starting with getting into full samurai gear. They have a very beautiful and bold array of garments to choose from. Afterwards we're given a katana and a fan to learn with. The lead guided us through different movements and stances while also giving some historical context to the life of a samurai. We then did our own videos of the movements shown. To finish it off the lead and her assistant did their own show for us. Overall they were very passionate about the work they do and it was evident in how the class operated. They were also very kind and helpful throughout the whole class. My brother loved it so much and even got practice gear after in their gift shop. It's a great experience.

Fun family experience

Lauren_C, Jan 2024

Lots of fun. Interactive. Learned about Samurai culture. Great way to spend a few hours in Kyoto after a walk on the philosophers path.

Samurai is the biz

Kaveh_D, Jan 2024

Instructors were very kind and patient. The show beforehand was also really nice. Great activity for families

Great experience

Adam_A, Dec 2023

Great experience, highly recommend , very informative of Samurai history , highly recommend the private class/ mini show

Fun Kyoto Afternoon

Laura_E, Nov 2023

So fun! We had the best teacher. Definitely worth the time in Kyoto. The performance at the end was also very impressive to watch.

Great experience would recommend

Charlotte_K, Oct 2023

We were the only ones in the lesson, it was great to experience the samurai uniform and sword movements and sequences, our teacher was so fun and helpful, we enjoyed it so much we stayed for the performance afterwards, would recommend this even more so for groups as its a great experience and outside of your typical touristy thing to do

Had fun doing the samurai...

Andrea_S, Oct 2023

Had fun doing the samurai dance with my husband. It was a very enjoyable 1.5 hour. Would recommend it to anyone

great experience & great value

Richard_K, Oct 2023

The Lady was a Master of the Art herself. It was great. Time Flew. I hoped for more time but what you get is a great experience & great value

Wonderful and informative experience

David_P, Sep 2023

Really fun and intimate Samurai School. We were given an introduction to the history of the Samurai, and how it has evolved into Kabuki which is Samurai theater, and then taught Kabuki moves. Fun playing with swords. Would recommend for a fun, quick activity for anybody visiting Kyoto. Also a great photo opportunity!

Great experience!

Alexander_M, Aug 2023

Very fun experience. Ryu the instructor is funny and a great teacher. Got some nice pictures. Definitely recommend!

Engaging and Fun Activith

BruceBehrouz_H, Aug 2023

This activity is fun and engaging. They give you choices of different outfits to wear which makes it a great picture opportunity. The instructor made the learning fun and exciting. Overall, a great engaging activity. If the experience ended with a short show, it would have made the experience even better.

Amazing family experience

Melanie_S, Jul 2023

Excellent experience for a family. It was educational and fun and even held our youngest children’s attention. The staff was incredible.

Amazing! Please try it, you will not regret it!

Kelsey_K, Jul 2023

The instructor was so funny and kind! It's easy to learn a lot from him. I had so much fun, and even though the class is only for an hour or two, it's so easy to make friends! I definitely want to come back with my dad next time.

Wowwwwww so much fun!

Fernando_L, Jun 2023

Absolutely amazing experience! Everyone was super friendly and knowledgeable, the instructor was sweet, caring and fun and provided best in class service. We felt like kids at Disneyland, except we were learning about the samurai culture while dressed up and practicing sword movements and dances. Highly recommended for all ages!

Fun time!

Anna_S, Jun 2023

This was a lot of fun! Great to learn about Samurai sword-dance and get all dressed up. Would definitely recommend

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