Tokyo

Samurai Training---My class is not a tourist trap

Badge of ExcellenceTokyo, Japan

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Practice uniform/Practice Sword/Bokken/Real sword
Please let me know your height and weight. As I prepare for the lesson clothes

Facility Charter Fees（This will occur if you charter）

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

3-chōme-14-14 Haramachida, Machida, Tokyo 194-0013, Japan
The dojo is on the 3rd floor. Please come to the 3rd floor using the stairs on the left side of the sword shop. Late arrivals will inconvenience other guests, so please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time. Please let us know in advance if you will be using this experience for filming.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

43 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 43 reviews

The sharpness of the Japanese sword

AndrewJoseph_C, Apr 2024

The sensei was very good, encouraging and critical. His lecture was very informative and interesting.

Amazing, 10/10

Austin_R, Apr 2024

Incredible experience, definitely worth the money !!! Our sensei was very adamant about teaching us the proper use of the katana and technique. 10/10 experience, if you go to Tokyo you gotta do this .

Highlight of Our Trip!

Faisal_S, Apr 2024

This was the absolute highlight of our trip to Tokyo! it was such a pleasure meeting Master Sumida who was very informative, friendly, and funny... A class act! Also a member our group is visually impaired, and Master Sumida was very accommodating to him, which made it an extra special experience for our visually impaired friend. Book this experience. You will not regret it!

Amazing experience, true master and sensei

Fernando_D, Mar 2024

Wish I could give it more stars. This was by far the best experience of our trip. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating, careful, and fun. Everyone in our small group had a blast and learned a lot. Loved the respect and care with which he treated the class and how he yearns to pass on the martial arts culture as a way of life. We are truly grateful for his time and dedication to sharing this amazing art and culture. Would definitely recommend and will book again when I return to Japan.

Excellent Samurai Course

Craig_A, Jan 2024

Excellent course. Sumida is the real thing. He's a true Samurai. If you want training from one of the most respected trainers in Japan this is the course. From start to finish the course was incredibly well organized. We got an overview of the history of the Samurai, sword making techniques over the years, to modern day practices. We then learned how to dismantle and reassemble swords, tell good quality swords from copies, all before learning safety and how to use the swords and how to defend yourselves. Sumida's English is great and he's a incredibly passionate and nice person. I would highly recommend the course.

Great experience

Akash_R, Nov 2023

Great experience. Our teacher was very patient and helpful and gave great feed back. Was very thorough lesson.

Wake up Samurai!

Frank_K, Nov 2023

Wow what an experience! If you are looking for a true Samurai experience than Sensei Sumida has the best one for you in Tokyo! The higher price is completely justified as you get an in-depth look into the ways of the Samurai with a short history lesson followed up with practice and ending with you cutting bamboo targets with a real katana! Best experience I had whilst in Japan, will come again! Thank you Sensei!

Far exceeded my expectations!

Nicole_L, Aug 2023

Hands down the highlight of my entire two weeks in Japan. This was a legitimate and authentic sword-handling training session, complete with a brief lecture on the history and the swords themselves, authentic attire, sparring with foam swords, and multiple opportunities to cut the tatami mats for practice. You are given as many tries with precise feedback as it takes until your form is perfected. Not gimmicky in the least. The instructors were kind, patient, and truly invested in passing on their knowledge and expertise to others.

The best thing we did in Japan

Carly_D, Aug 2023

We went yesterday, it was a gift to my partner for celebrating a work achievement. Easily the best thing we've done in Japan. The sensei are so kind, funny and knowledgeable and did such a wonderful job bringing Japanese history and culture to life. The class was diverse and included a young child and the sensei were impressive in how well they taught each individual student and brought everyone to a successful cutting. This is perfect for anyone interested in hands on learning from a serious artist and not a kitschy tourist photo op. Would go again next time.

Amazing experience!

Samantha_S, Jul 2023

This class was one of the highlights of our family trip to Japan, and our son’s favorite activity. It’s an authentic experience that is a great mix of history, culture and hands-on practice with the katana while fully outfitted with the traditional gear. Sumida-san was a very knowledgeable and patient teacher with a great sense of humor who showed us sparring techniques using foam swords, and how to safely and correctly use the katana. He was attentive and had the right level of engagement with all of us, ranging from the most enthusiastic participants, such as our son, to those of us who needed a bit more encouragement. Applying the newly learned techniques to cut the rolled tatami mats was a cool experience. The location of this class is about a 35 to 40 minute train ride outside of Tokyo from Shinjuku station and was definitely worth it. It was nice to take a break from Tokyo and discover Machida. A bit of advice would be to allow for more transit time to get to the dojo, in order to be there on time to get the most out of the class.

Awesome and authentic experience

Melissa_L, Jul 2023

Interesting and authentic experience held in a traditional training studio!! The teacher introduced us to some basic sword fighting during the class. While I am not extremely fit (not much strength) so had a hard time trying to fully slice through the mats, I still enjoyed the entire session nonetheless!

Best samurai experience!

Sandi_R, Jun 2023

This is an amazing experience. Do it! This was the highlight of our trip. The instructor is great and taught us about the swords, the history. We learned to get in gear, get armed, as well as spar. And then the best part was getting to do cutting of a pole with a real Katana! How exciting! Our whole family loved it. Parents and kids! He is patient and wonderful with the children and mine were smiling the whole time. They can’t stop talking about how amazing it was.

Amazing

Tami_C, Jun 2023

The teacher was amazing and fun. He explained the history of the swords and how they are made. We learned how to use the sword, spar and cut through bamboo. Highly recommend this activity. It was one highlight of our trip.

Wow! An experience of a lifetime

David_W, Jun 2023

This was the BEST time and the top experience of our time in Japan. Sumida is an excellent, fun, and knowledgeable host - just book it!

Fun and challenging

Balachandar_K, May 2023

Incredible experience. Sensei is very knowledgeable about both the history and technique. He will make sure that you understand the proper technique and moreover why that technique is important, and will not ingratiate you but rather work with you to become better at the (admittedly quite challenging) techniques, which is remarkable in such a short period of time. His English is very good as well. Highly recommended.

Amazing Experience

Youssef_B, May 2023

Sensei Sumida was amazing, very knowledgeable and took the time to teach us his art, I enjoyed every part of his course and wish him the best !

Amazing time with Sumida Sensei

Romain_G, May 2023

We did this course with my brother the last day of our trip in Tokyo. And it is definitely the best experience we had so far in our whole trip. We had the chance to know more about the swords, the martial arts and the sharpness and skills to handle swords in the proper way. Sumida Sensei is a great master, full of knowledge and willing to share his passion for his art. It was truly an unforgettable experience and memories.

A Great Introduction to Japanese Swordsmanship

Joshua_H, May 2023

Photo doesn't do it justice because my phone died and this was before anyone else showed up. But rest assured, this was a wonderful experience and a great first step for anyone wanting to learn more about Japanese swordsmanship for the first time. Sumida Sensei is a great instructor and will teach you a bit about the founding of his particular art, the origin of samurai swords and conduct, sword drawing, and sword cutting. You won't get into a lot of the fine detail of the art, but only so much can be covered in a few hours. He's also a wonderfully pleasant man who cares a lot about his art and loves to share it with others. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Japanese swordsmanship for the first time.

Amazing

carolina_c, May 2023

Amazing experience. Totally worth it. Different and an opportunity to dig deeper into Japanese culture.

Unforgettable Experience!!!!

Amber_G, Apr 2023

This experience was phenomenal! Sensei Sumida ran this course like actual training! No gimmick-type stuff which I really enjoyed. It was so authentic. The first part of class we learned fun facts about the different types of Japanese swords and the history of Japanese swordsmanship. Then we practiced sword techniques with actual katanas and sparred with each other and with Sensei! Lastly, we got to practice cutting by slicing a rolled up tatami mat! Sensei’s passion for his craft made the course that much more enjoyable. At the end of class we each got a completion certificate too! This course is a must-book if you come to Tokyo. You won’t regret it!

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