Japan · SAMURAI & NINJA EXPERIENCES IN KYOTO
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 samurai & ninja experiences in Kyoto justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part of planning.
Practice sword basics in a Kyoto samurai house, wear a kimono, learn Bushido and Zen, and leave with photos and calm in 1 hour 45.
“It was great experience we really enjoy it The crew were very nice and they really try to explain everything”
Kyoto kendo and samurai workshop in a 120-year-old machiya, with full uniform, safe sword training, and instructor photos in 2 hours.
“This is an unbelievable experience! It’s not pretend; it’s the real, authentic experience! We spent as a family outside in the courtyard as the snow was starting to fall. We felt like we were in a movie scene. If you love learning about culture and experiencing the real samurai, this is the trip to book!”
Learn Kyoto Kenbu in a small group, from bowing and katana draw drills to costume photos and a short sword dance performance.
“The activity was amazing! Everyone that worked there was so friendly. Dressing up and getting to use the samurai swords was a great experience. The main guide that showed us how to use the swords was also hilarious which made the experience even better! Would DEFINITELY recommend!”
Skip-the-line Samurai Ninja Museum Kyoto tour with armor trials, shuriken throwing, and sword photos, guided in about an hour.
“Our tour ( I forgot his name)guide did an amazing explanation about the history of Ninja. His good he knows what his doing. Fun experience.”
A 1-hour Kyoto dojo ninja class for beginners, with small-group training, stealth basics, and safe practice with sword, kunai, shuriken, and darts.
“This was an amazing experience fir my son, wife and I. The ninja master/instructor was excellent and also spoke very good English. It’s a great way to experience a bit of history of Japan while learning a few ninja’s skills.”
Forge a real-steel ninja shuriken or kunai in Kyoto. Wear traditional gear, engrave kanji, blacken, and take it home.
“my family got so involved in the whole process, thank you for a great experience”
Watch Kyoto Kenbu sword dance with English samurai storytelling, then try a short katana lesson and optional fan moves in 1 hour.
“A great learning experience about Samurai and entertaining performance.”
Train with modern-day Musashi in Kyoto’s real dojo, dress in samurai gear, learn draw and kata, then watch a powerful two-katana performance.
“If you are visiting Kyoto, you must book this amazing experience! You will have a blast learning samurai techniques, practicing them with a master and trainer, and watching both the master and trainer show off their skills and knowledge. My wife and I had an absolute blast! Yushin and Jordan were knowledgeable, incredibly talented, engaging, fun, funny, and really good teachers! Do yourself a favor and sign up for this experience! You will love it!!!”
Train with a Japanese master in Kyoto. Learn breathing, meditation, and real ninja weapons in a small group, with ninja clothing included.
“Loved it. Very informative and our sensai was patient and funny. We also got to engage with authentic weapons, not toys and did a bunch of different activities ninja would do beginning with meditation which was a nice touch. Top tier experience!”
Practice samurai sword etiquette and katana draws in Kyoto, then dress up for costume photos, get a certificate, and optionally train longer.
“We had a great time! The teacher was amazing- so nice, explained very well and in general has so much knowledge. We highly recommend this experience 👌”
Private tea ceremony in a 300-year-old samurai house in Kyoto, with matcha making, dress-up photos, and optional sake or whisky tasting.
“Was personal & our hosts were warm, informative & welcoming. Located in a traditional Japanese tea room, the ceremony was meaningful & educational.”
Blunt samurai sword dojo class with free Samurai and Ninja Museum ticket in Kyoto, plus costume photos and ninja star throwing.
“The only reason I gave 2 stars and not one is because the instructor and samurai giving the lesson was great. The whole thing was disorganized and difficult to find. No where on Viator did it say this experience is for 18 and older or to go to the website to verify information. When we got there, the guys at the samurai museum said it’s on our website. How were we to know that? I booked this so my kids can have an experience with a real samurai and my teenage kid. I would not have booked it otherwise. It says it’s for a group of 10 but there were…”
Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour in 1 hour with an English guide, samurai dress-up, and hands-on shuriken throwing.
“Everything Our guide looked like a ninja, spoke good English for us to understand, he engaged the audience with his questions & knowledge of the warriors. The warriors, weaponry & history were fascinating. Highly recommend for the whole family.”
Kyoto ninja training at Samurai Ninja Museum: outfit rental, shuriken and blowgun practice, sword demo, then museum visit. Family fun.
“This was such a fun experience! The instructor was nice and everyone was very accommodating. We got there about 20 minutes past our time and we were still able to join.”
Watch Kembu sword-poetry in Kyoto, then try basic fan and sword moves, and get photos with performers in about 1 hour.
“Worth seeing! The performers took great care to explain the performances to the audience. It would have been helpful to have a pamphlet to help us further.”
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