Japan · SAMURAI & NINJA EXPERIENCES IN TOKYO
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 samurai & ninja experiences in Tokyo that reviewers rated highly, each with its price, its verdict and the one thing worth knowing before you commit.
Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku is a 90-minute neon show with samurai and ninjas, plus 2 drinks inside an ultra-elaborate venue.
“Fun experience, you get two drinks and you can choose from snacks, pop corn and such. The performance was very lively, there are frequent stops I guess to change decor on stage but the last Kabuki performance redeemed the whole show.”
Tokyo Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour with an English guide, armor exhibits, shuriken throwing, and samurai dress-up for $27.
“We had such a fantastic time visiting the Samurai Museum with Ken (I think!) as our guide. The visit was super engaging and fun for the kids — they were captivated from start to finish — and we adults also learned a lot along the way. The format was just right: not too short, not too long, and really well balanced. Even though we were part of a big group, Ken managed it perfectly so that everyone felt included and comfortable. Highly recommended!”
Tokyo dojo class with samurai descendants teaches iai katana forms, target cutting while moving, and horseback archery in 3 hours.
“The energy and dancing quality. Some musicals I go, I might fall asleep. This confirmed will not fall asleep. Best event of my trip. Highly recommended”
Pick your kimono, train with a katana in an Edo-style dojo, then join a chambara battle with music. Tokyo, about 1 hour, $65.
“This samurai experience was so much fun and incredibly professional. The instructors were extremely talented, kind, and patient, and they made the entire experience feel welcoming and exciting. They took plenty of photos for us, which was Read more”
Suit up as a ninja in Asakusa, tackle a treasure hunt, try ninja weapons, and get fun photo shots at Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo.
“So much fun! We had an absolute blast dressing up and learning how to use Japanese Ninja weapons. We highly recommend adding this to your Kyoto trip”
Tokyo’s Kanda Myojin samurai night show with drinks and optional chicken hot pot, live Taira no Masakado performance, then photos with cast.
“The actors were excellent, brilliant setting and the story was well presented. The interactions with the cast was great at the end of the performance.”
Dress in a samurai hakama, learn Iaido basics, then practice safe sword techniques and enjoy a Samurai and Ninja Museum visit in Asakusa.
“The outfits are awesome, puts you in the mood. The Samurai is very serious but also has an excellent sense of humor! The practice with the wooden samurai was very helpful. The real sword is very heavy but even so I managed to cut my target as he wished on the first try.👍😊 Not so my over zealous husband!🤣😂”
Suit up in hakama and armor for a 2-hour Asakusa workshop: katana basics, museum tour, shuriken trial, and themed photos.
“We had a really good time visiting the samurai museum. You get a brief history o Japan and samurai history - from the beginning and it's origins until the end of the samurai era and current times. Then there is fun part - you participate in a samurai warrior class with a great teacher - both polite, respectful and fun. The class includes practise and a real fights between participants. You can also try how easy/difficult is throwing a shuriuken to a specific target. The trip Is great fun for both kids and adults. I would recommend it 10/10”
A small-group ninja and samurai lesson in Tokyo with English sensei coaching, ninja meditation, shuriken and blow darts, plus sword practice.
“We had so much fun in this class! Not only was the instructor knowledgeable but he was also funny and fun to learn from. I never knew the history of Ninja and Samurai but he gave us great background information and were genuinely intrigued. We got a chance to throw ninja stars, swing a Samurai Sword, learn the difference between a Ninja Sword and a Samurai Sword and so much more! I highly recommend this great experience and I’m so jealous of anyone that gets a chance to take it for the first time as I wish I could do it over again!”
Practice katana moves and throw ninja stars at Samurai Museum Tokyo in Asakusa. Small-group lesson plus museum tour. Mobile ticket.
“This was such an educational and fun day. The guides were very knowledgeable and we enjoyed both the museum and the samurai experience. I would highly recommend it for anyone of any age.”
Dress in kimono and hakama, learn sword basics, do a chanbara duel, and get photos and phone video in a 1-hour Tokyo samurai class.
“it was awesome and fun. The people were so kind and entertaining.”
Train katana kata and Japanese archery in a small dojo class near Tokyo, taught by Yoshioki Sumida, with sparring and live Toyama-ryu demo.
“Sumida sensei is the real deal. Samurai training doesn't come more real than this class. We learned history, we learned how to assemble and disassemble a sword. We sparred, and we cut. I even plan on resuming my training in White Plains, come March. So I can TRULY understand the sharpness of the Japanese sword!”
Do a real Tokyo Kendo dojo session. Learn etiquette, gear up in armor, practice strikes, then spar in a mock tournament in 2 hours.
“Wow! What an experience. We got dressed up in full Kendo gear and learned the technique and history. Teacher was fun and accommodating. So much fun”
Suit up in full kendo armor for a 2 hour Tokyo dojo session, learn etiquette and strikes, then practice safe sparring with an English speaking instructor.
“it was an amazing experience which created a lot of respect for Kendo.”
Train in a real Tokyo dojo with Daichi, learn kendo and Bushido, and finish with a short match plus photos and videos.
“Incredible experience! The instructors were super friendly and brought an awesome passion to the kendo experience. Absolutely a must-do in Tokyo!”
Pick the experience, read what travellers said, book the good one.
