15 Samurai Training Experiences in Kyoto to Build a Morning Around

Kyoto Samurai Experience

/ August 4, 2026

1.Kyoto Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,294 reviews · from $119.38Our pick

Practice katana basics at a real Kyoto samurai house, wear kimono, learn Bushido, and end with Zen meditation in a small group.

“My husband and I are on our first trip as empty nesters. We decided to add this in for a bit of fun, and fun it was! It's located in an historic building, they run through a brief history of the Samurai, then you get trained in how to use the sword, then there is some lovely Zen meditation. The whole experience was really enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

/ August 4, 2026

2.Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

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

Suit up in Kyoto, train kendo with safe swords in a 100-year machiya, learn samurai etiquette, and leave with photos and video.

“The Kendo practice lesson in Kyoto was an extraordinary experience. Already at the beginning I was allowed to put on the traditional training clothes, which immediately provided the right mood. Our trainer „Takka“ impressed not only with his strong charisma, but also with his heartfelt laugh and a captivating energy that motivated everyone immediately. During the training, he taught the basics of Kendo with great patience and clarity. At the same time, we gained exciting insights into the history of the samurai and the philosophy behind this Japanese martial art. The combination of active training, cultural background knowledge and the inspiring nature of Takka made the lesson both instructi...”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Kyoto: Samurai Sword Class by Experts in Traditional Arts

/ August 4, 2026

3.Samurai Sword Class by Experts in Traditional Arts

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

Learn Kenbu in Kyoto with a small group: bow, draw and strike, dress in samurai costume, take photos, and watch a short 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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Museums, Ninja Training Experiences, Samurai Training Experiences, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Skip the lines Basic Ticket at SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM KYOTO

/ August 4, 2026

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 632 reviews · from $28.52

Skip-the-line guided visit to Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum with samurai armor try-on, shuriken throwing, and a fun expert guide.

“This felt like a middle school trip. Very small place. No air-conditioning. A short history of samurai and ninja was given. The whole experience was very quick, did not feel like a museum at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Show, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Samurai Kenbu Traditional Sword Dancing Show

/ August 4, 2026

5.Samurai Kenbu Traditional Sword Dancing Show

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

Kyoto’s Kenbu sword-dance show with English narration, then a short katana lesson where you gently draw and swing a blade.

“The master swordsmen were outstanding. They made it look effortless! Once you try holding and swinging a Katana, you realise how hard it actually is 😁 The time passed too quickly!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews

Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto

/ August 4, 2026

6.Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $132.65

Samurai training in Kyoto with Modern-day Musashi. Dress in samurai gear, practice katana basics with iaito, and watch a two-katana performance.

“The Samarai experience so much fun! My family and I learned a lot, and had a blast while doing so…even my wife and daughter loved it. It took place in a real dojo, and Sensei and other instructors were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews

Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

/ August 4, 2026

7.Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · from $66.32

Train with a samurai instructor in Kyoto, learn the sword draw and strikes, get dressed in costume for photos, and earn a completion certificate.

“I can thoroughly recommend booking this experience. Our three teens loved it - as did us oldies. We did the training/dressing up/photos first then watched the show, which helped us really appreciate the skill of the performers. The staff were super helpful, the performance was excellent, and we have amazing memories and photos of a fantastic afternoon.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Private, Sake Tasting Experiences, Samurai Training Experiences, Tea Ceremonies, Tour Reviews

Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

/ August 4, 2026

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

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

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

“Was personal & our hosts were warm, informative & welcoming. Located in a traditional Japanese tea room, the ceremony was meaningful & educational.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Museums, Ninja Training Experiences, Samurai Training Experiences, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Kyoto Sword Experience – includes Museum Ticket/Ninja Experience

/ August 4, 2026

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $83.91

Practice Iaido with a blunt replica sword in Kyoto, dress in samurai hakama, throw a ninja star, then tour the Samurai Ninja Museum.

“Was disappointing and commercial. Not a real samurai experience. Very rushed and instructor wanted to get it overwith”

Check availability →Read our full review

Guided, Museums, Ninja Training Experiences, Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto: Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour

/ August 4, 2026

10.Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour

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

A 1-hour Kyoto guided tour at the Samurai Ninja Museum with English explanations, dress-up, and hands-on shuriken throwing.

“The tour was amazing - tour guide was very informative and provided excellent knowledge. Good value for money!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Kyoto: Japanese Archery Workshop with Experienced Instructor

/ August 4, 2026

11.Japanese Archery Workshop with Experienced Instructor

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 132 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Learn Kyoto Kyudo with Master Yamaguchi, a 6th-grade Kyudo Kyoshi. Hands-on form coaching, history context, and all gear in 1 hour.

“Very relaxing and entertaining experience. The instructor is a master and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Museums, Ninja Training Experiences, Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews

Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum KYOTO

/ August 4, 2026

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $56.16

Family-friendly ninja training in Kyoto with ninja outfit rental, shuriken and blowgun practice, plus a Samurai and Ninja Museum visit.

“Communication was poor regarding meeting place; they also failed to mention that the museum visit ( which is a different location to the experience) is included in our tickets. This meant that some of us lost out.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Samurai Training Experiences, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Samurai Performance and Casual Experience: Kyoto Ticket

/ August 4, 2026

13.Samurai Performance and Casual Experience: Kyoto Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $33.03

Watch Kembu samurai sword rituals in Kyoto, get an English talk, then take your own sword and fan photos. One hour, $33 mobile ticket.

“Take your shoes off to enter have two types of chairs low to grown and normal. Performance was really good. Taking pictures afterwards was fun”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kimono & Yukata Rentals, Samurai Training Experiences, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Samurai Sword & Kimono Action Filming Experience

/ August 4, 2026

14.Samurai Sword & Kimono Action Filming Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 78 reviews · 1h 10m · from $127

Kyoto Myokaku-ji Samurai sword tricks, kimono dressing, and a chambara action filming session for small groups in 70 minutes.

“My teenage son and I had a lot of fun acting Samurai. Our teachers, Kesuke Irie San and Kazuya Naito San, (who have acted in a number of Japanese movies and TV shows), were encouraging and taught the sword moves very well. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to role play Samurai.”

Check availability →Read our full review