The 15 Samurai & Ninja Experiences in Kyoto We Would Book Again

1.Kyoto Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,294 reviews · from $119Our pick

Samurai basics in Kyoto: kimono try-on, katana training, Bushido talk, and Zen meditation inside a real samurai house. Small group.

“My husband and son attended this and said it was one of the highlights of our trip. The master swordsman was kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. The experience was hands-on and engaging, and my husband and son walked away having learned so much about samurai and Japanese history. They loved every minute.”

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2.Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 815 reviews · 2 hours · from $103

Suit up for kendo in a 120-year-old Kyoto machiya, learn sword etiquette and safe techniques, then get instructor photos and videos.

“Great fun, loved the introduction to the art of the sword.”

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3.Samurai Sword Class by Experts in Traditional Arts

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 657 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $64

Kyoto Kenbu samurai sword class with bowing and katana strikes, costume photo shoot, and a short performance in 2 hours.

“I liked Kazu and his attitude, you could pick your costume and practice very beautiful and interesting culture. The show was even more captivating as the masters showed the moves. Highly recommend it even for those who think that they are not into swords and fighting. Because this is art and it gives you a peace of mind”

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4.Skip the lines Basic Ticket at SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM KYOTO

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 632 reviews · from $28Best value

A guided one-hour Kyoto visit to a Samurai and Ninja museum, with armor, shuriken throwing, and great sword photo ops.

“Great experience! Informative and super fun/engaging! The host was fantastic, I even got to win my own ninja star! I would recommend this experience, my husband and bro-in-law also loved it.”

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5.Ninja 1-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 489 reviews · from $80

1-hour ninja dojo lesson in Kyoto with English master, ninja outfit rental, breathing and walking drills, and hands-on sword, kunai, shuriken.

“We enjoy our time at this dojo. Definitely a great activities mostly if you have kids. And great item to take as souvenirs”

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6.Ninja Weapon Forging Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 478 reviews · 2h 30m · from $148

Hand forge a real Kyoto ninja weapon in 150 minutes, personalize it with kanji, and take it home in a gift box near Hieizanguchi Station.

“Absolutely brilliant experience! I definitely recommend it and Taka is excellent!”

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7.Samurai Kenbu Traditional Sword Dancing Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 426 reviews · 1 hour · from $32

Kyoto’s Kenbu sword-dance show blends samurai stories with English narration, then you try a safe mini sword lesson in about 1 hour.

“It was amazing. We got to discover Kenbu with different type of performances, and we also learn the basic stances and wielded the katana. It is very worth it and impressive. The price is good. The explanation were great. Well done !”

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8.Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $132

Train in Kyoto dojo with Musashi (Seto Yushin), dress in samurai gear, learn draw-and-kata basics, and watch a two-katana performance.

“Absolute must do! This was expertly crafted and such a wonderful and authentic experience for our family.”

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9.Ninja 2-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Medium

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $95

Kyoto’s 2-hour Ninja lesson teaches Kuji-In breathing, walking, and weapon skills with ninja outfits and pro photos.

“We had a fantastic experience! The instructor is knowledgeable, friendly, great English. It was a ton of fun and still accessible, even as a middle aged couple who is not very limber. They took lots of wonderful photos for us. I didn't know what to expect and thought it might be hokey, but it was not at all - very fun and legitimate.”

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10.Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · from $66

Train in kenbu, bow and draw a katana in Kyoto, then dress as a samurai for photos, a certificate, and an optional longer stage session.

“We were taught how to wear the samurai costume and how to use the katana. We absorbed a lot about traditional Japanese samurai culture and respectfully watched a mini show after our lesson. Terrific experience for those interested.”

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11.Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $99

Private Kyoto tea ceremony in a 300-year-old samurai house with organic Uji matcha, plus sake or whisky tasting and dress-up photos.

“The house and grounds are beautiful. They provide a wonderful history of the house as well as the history of the tea ceremony. They made us feel extremely comfortable. We both ended up doing the sake/whisky tasting and the host was so fun and easy to talk to. It exceeded our expectations!”

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12.Kyoto Sword Experience – includes Museum Ticket/Ninja Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $83

Train in a Kyoto dojo with a blunt replica sword, get into samurai hakama, visit the Samurai and Ninja Museum, and throw ninja stars.

“We arrived about 20 min early so they rushed us upstairs to complete our “training”. It was nice (hence 3 stars) as it was just us, but it was so short and rushed I do wonder if we missed what the larger class did? We put on outfits, and were told how to hold a d swing the fake sword. Then we sat and were given instructions on how to use the real one. We each got 2 turns to swing and cut the bat. That was it. We changed and went downstairs where our “group” (others for our time slot) were trying on the gun costumes and taking photos.…”

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13.Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 145 reviews · 1 hour · from $28

Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour in English, with samurai costume, helmet and replica sword, plus shuriken throwing in a 1-hour small group.

“Miu was very informative and helpful. She had great knowledge highly recommended.”

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14.Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum KYOTO

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $56

Hands-on ninja training in Kyoto with star throwing and a blowgun, plus a visit to the Samurai and Ninja Museum in a family-friendly format.

“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.”

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15.Samurai Performance and Casual Experience: Kyoto Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $33

Watch a Kyoto Kembu sword performance at Samurai Kembu Theater, then try sword and fan moves in a short photo session.

“Be prepared to be spellbound - I’m not sure if these people are actors or if they actually train in the art of the samurai or both but it was like watching small segments in a live opera but no singing! The narrator comes in and introduces the scRead more”

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