Kyoto Samurai Experience

Name: Kyoto Samurai Experience
Brand: Kyoto Samurai Experience
SKU: 44484P1
Price: 117.10 USD
Rating: 5.0 (741 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan

1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Immerse yourself in samurai history and culture during this 2-hour samurai experience at a traditional Kyoto Samurai House. Under the guidance of an expert sword instructor, learn the philosophies of Bushido, the "Way of the Warrior" handle a real katana sword; and take part in a Zen meditation session.

Learn the Way of the Warrior at a Kyoto Samurai House
Practice Swordsmanship basics, try on a traditional kimono, and handle a real katana sword
Choice of morning or afternoon departure times
Small-group tour limited to 10 people ensures a personalized experience

What's Included

Professional instructor
Use of a real Katana (Japanese Samurai sword)
Zen experience
Pictures of during the activity

None

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Kyoto Samurai Experience/Waraku
111 Inabachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8803, Japan
Our gates will be open 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience. Please arrive as soon as possible so we can help you change into samurai attire for your session. If you are worried about finding our location please contact us ahead of time.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Try your hand at samurai life on this small-group samurai experience in Kyoto. Your guide will explain all things samurai, including dress, zen meditation, the philosophy of Bushido, and how to use a Katana (Japanese samurai sword).

Easily meet your guide and group at the departure point. Then change into a traditional kimono and start to practice swordsmanship.

You can choose from either a morning or afternoon session, based on your itinerary. No matter which time of day, you’ll come away from the experience having learned the way of the warrior, and have skills in using Katana like a real samurai.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Comfortable clothes
Minors must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
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

741 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 741 reviews

Beautiful experience put together with care

Maria_D, Apr 2024

I was expecting a pretty cheesy experience, but this experience was put together with a lot of care. The samurai mansion is legit (and gorgeous). The staff are knowledgeable and extremely nice. The Iaido trainers were super cool and patient with us tourists, and have some impressive chops. Along the way you get a mini history lesson about the samurai and the old house. There is a mini meditation session at the end, and a bit of a talk about the importance of meditation to iaido and the samurai. We would def recommend and come back.

A lot of fun, but not a lot of actual time with a sword

Andrew_D, Apr 2024

It was a lot of fun to get to wield a sword and chop a tatami mat! I will say the whole experienced felt a bit like a factory, it wasn't as authentic nor as personal an experience as some of the other things we did in Japan. It just felt like they churn people through the experience. But they did do a good job of giving us some history and info about the house and samurais, and the meditation at the end was very nice. I would have loved more time with the wooden practice sword, maybe a bit more time learning about the practice of wielding a Japanese sword instead of all the time spent in the other rooms. Overall, was a good experience, a bit over-priced, but I'm glad we did it!

Samurai Swords in a Secluded Spot

Kafisanders, Apr 2024

This was a very fun experience to have with my teenage nephew. And it is just that an experience! I'd recommend this tour if you're into Samurai, want to learn about history or if you want to hold a Katana. It's just long enough and keeps you engaged the whole time. You do use an actual sword and are instructed by experts. That alone would have been enough, but the other elements are also wonderful. I appreciated learning about the location of the experience and the relationship between the history of the place and the owner, along with the team operating the experience. I randomly selected this tour and I'm very glad I did! My nephew loved it! I would recommend this for teens that can take and act on instructions well. It also involves being quiet and sitting still for what it is worth.

Can I time travel back to this experience??

Lane_K, Apr 2024

I promise you, you won't regret booking this once in a lifetime experience - by far our favorite part our of 2 week Japan trip. It was SO interesting and insightful learning about the history of the samurai, watching an expert use the katana sword then teaching us how to properly hold one and cut bamboo! I love how it's a small group and intimate, rather than it being 15+ people. They allowed us to record and take videos on our phones and they also took professional pics on a camera that they emailed to us hours later which was a huge pro seeming as I'm always capturing memories. I'm STILL doing + showing the proper technique on how to hold a katana sword to my friends and family, lol. 10/10 recommend!

A great day out!

Charlotte_G, Apr 2024

An amazing experience! Would 100% recommend. Staff were v knowledgable and friendly, and using the samurai sword was v cool!

Just awesome !

Maxime_T, Apr 2024

The complete experience was totally awesome, even if you don't speak Japanese they offer translation and it was perfect ! I highly recommend them !

Great experience to have

Eduard_A, Apr 2024

Very beautiful and emotional experience. You can feel the real atmosphere of samurai warrior and his katana

First class experience

Marcus_C, Mar 2024

What a fantastic experience. Very informative, a small insight in to samurai history and culture. First class all round. Excellent tuition. Our whole group thoroughly enjoyed the session. Highly recommended. Thank you.

Amazing family experience!

Alison_S, Mar 2024

Such a cool experience! A great mix of history, dress, swordsmanship, and zen. We took our 9 year old daughter and they were so kind and considerate. She used a slightly modified sword and cut through a daikon radish. I would recommend this to anyone in Kyoto. Especially cool as part of a big day visiting Nijo castle nearby.

Excellent authentic cultural experience

Cara_T, Mar 2024

Really great well-planned and well-paced experience with real Japanese Samurai and in a Samurai House. Enjoyed the historic backdrop, demonstrations. Then swordmanship training and getting to use the katana ourselves to chop. Finally the zen session afterwards. It was a perfect combination of helping us to understand the context and Japanese culture but also such a fun and cool activity to do with your family and friends. We have great photos to share to impress our loved ones back at home!

Immersive and exciting

Wendy_J, Mar 2024

Learning the history and perspective of the samurai culture was a highlight as was the demonstration. But I still can’t believe I touched a samurai sword let alone wielding it.

True samurai experience

dani, Mar 2024

I booked this experience for my husband and we both had a great time! The history of the samurai was fascinating and the guides were very knowledgeable. The samurai provided expert instructions with the katanas and this was the coolest thing we’ve ever gotten to do! The pictures were amazing- would highly recommend this experience!!

Loved swinging katanas!

Grant_S, Mar 2024

Loved getting the historic perspective about the historic samurai period, and getting a glimpse into the daily life of a samurai. The experience ends with some katana swordplay, so get excited! Would recommend!

Awesome initiation

Cyril_F, Mar 2024

Had a great time although it would've been nice to be fewer people to have more time with the sword :D The demo and historical summary were really cool too !

Gorgeous Samurai house and a history lesson

Anne_S, Mar 2024

We just had our teenagers do it and they let my husband and I observe for a small fee. The whole experience was exquisite; the real Samurai house, the setting, the hosts, the Samurais. Our kids left with an understanding and appreciation of the history of Samurai. Can’t recommend enough! (Ps, leave yourself plenty of time to get there. The Uber driver took us to the address around the corner. It’s actually right across from a more modern big school and the host was waiting outside with a tablet thankfully or we wouldn’t have found it) Also they recommended a ramen place we went to after that was a short walk that was delicious!

Samarai sensational

John_B, Mar 2024

The whole experience was amazing! The real Samarai was super impressive friendly and just made you feel respected and comfortable. The translators spoke perfect English. We learned the history of the home of the Samari and how it has been preserved . The fact we got to use real Samarai swords just took the cake! Highly recommend!

Samurai experience

Bilal_S, Mar 2024

The most amazing and fun experience of my time in Japan! Loved learning about the history of the samurai and the shogun. Also the use of the kitana and the training in the use of the sword based on Japanese custom was amazing Highly recommend this tour for anyone who love the samurai

Best thing in Kyoto

Alvin_M, Feb 2024

Everyone's really considerate (hand warmers, tea, ensuring everyone has a good time). I really enjoyed the story telling and the hands on experience. I learned a lot going through this.

Best Thing to do in Kyoto!

Jeanne_T, Feb 2024

It was a wonderful combination of an engaging history lesson, impressive demonstrations and fun of learning some moves yourself. Very safe, supervised fun.

Must-do in Kyoto

Rhian_D, Feb 2024

Fantastic experience! Highly recommend. The staff are wonderful and it was very well organised. Thank you.

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