Kyoto Samurai Experience
Kyoto Samurai Experience
5
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
This is an excellent chance for visitors to get a firsthand look into the world of the samurai. Get a glimpse into the philosophies of Bushido ("The Way of the Warrior") and try your hand at wielding a real katana. Afterwards, practice some inward reflection with Zen meditation, used by the samurai to calm their minds during battle.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Center
No district of Kyoto is quite as representative of its blended nature as the City Center. By day, the covered shopping arcades along Kawaramachi and Shijo Street bring deal hunters and fashionistas out in droves to peruse the clothing, accessories, gifts, and home goods offerings. When it grows dark, the City Center is a hip spot for nightlife, alive with bars and clubs. A trendy culinary scene and an abundance of local watering holes give the Center its youthful vibrancy. In contrast, the quieter areas of the City Center seem a world away, shielded from noise by the foliage of the public gardens and zen spaces surrounding the area's shrines, castles, and the Imperial Palace. These ancient and sacred spots are seamlessly folded into the scenery, providing a respite from the energy of the city, but close enough to put you directly back onto the pulse of the city when you're ready.
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5.0
1,050 reviews
Excellent
1,021
Very good
25
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Amanda B
Surprise, AZ1 contribution
My husband took this class while I watched. He loved it. It was also interesting for me just watching. They spoke great English and were very welcoming. The best part is they take pictures and email them to you after the class free of charge. Instructions to the meeting place were very easy!! The location is also within walking distance to the Nijō castle. This was a nice way to end our day in Kyoto.
Written 29 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
friz101
Shanghai, China1 contribution
Feb 2017 • Solo
After having visited many temples, shrines, museums and other samurai related experiences, I tried this one. I was taken to an old samurai house where I met the master. He was the Kansai area Iaido champion. He also participates in other traditional arts, such as drumming.
We sat and talked about Iaido, bushido and samurai's for a while and he was happy to answer all my questions through a translator. After this he demonstrated some wonderful Iaido kata's.
Following the demonstration, he opened the doors and went outside into a small garden and demonstrated the cutting of goza mat. (rolled tatami mat.) Then it was my turn. I practiced a few moves with a bokken (wooden sword), then the real thing. I chopped my mat 4 times. It was amazing to feel the weight of a genuine crafted sword using it's power to cut through the mat.
Once I had finished cutting my mat to pieces we went back inside to discuss zen. A singing bowl was placed upon my head and struck. This generates a sound far better than any stereo equipment I've ever heard. Zone off to sound and the patterns on the wall to achieve enlightenment.
This was a wonderful way to finish off my tour of historical Kyoto. I love the culture and to experience this very personal look into the art of Iaido was much better than anything I had ever done before.
I hope experiences like this will continue to grow in Japan. I for sure will be back.
We sat and talked about Iaido, bushido and samurai's for a while and he was happy to answer all my questions through a translator. After this he demonstrated some wonderful Iaido kata's.
Following the demonstration, he opened the doors and went outside into a small garden and demonstrated the cutting of goza mat. (rolled tatami mat.) Then it was my turn. I practiced a few moves with a bokken (wooden sword), then the real thing. I chopped my mat 4 times. It was amazing to feel the weight of a genuine crafted sword using it's power to cut through the mat.
Once I had finished cutting my mat to pieces we went back inside to discuss zen. A singing bowl was placed upon my head and struck. This generates a sound far better than any stereo equipment I've ever heard. Zone off to sound and the patterns on the wall to achieve enlightenment.
This was a wonderful way to finish off my tour of historical Kyoto. I love the culture and to experience this very personal look into the art of Iaido was much better than anything I had ever done before.
I hope experiences like this will continue to grow in Japan. I for sure will be back.
Written 8 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whereisbeck
Melbourne, Australia24 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We found this by chance - such great luck that we did!
We were met at the train station and escorted to the Samurai house by our interpreter, and spent an amazing morning learning about ancient Japanese traditions, as well as learning how to wield the Samurai sword! The video clips emailed to us were a really nice touch.
This experience was incredibly fun, not tacky or touristy, and was genuinely fascinating and our favourite part of Kyoto. We would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Kyoto - we loved and it exceeded our expectations.
We were met at the train station and escorted to the Samurai house by our interpreter, and spent an amazing morning learning about ancient Japanese traditions, as well as learning how to wield the Samurai sword! The video clips emailed to us were a really nice touch.
This experience was incredibly fun, not tacky or touristy, and was genuinely fascinating and our favourite part of Kyoto. We would highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Kyoto - we loved and it exceeded our expectations.
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter s
Gothenburg, Sweden5 contributions
Great experience in every way. Straff was punctual and very nice and helpful. Even though i was alone (Corona times) they arranged everything and were invested and kind. English guide was great so no languages barriers as well as a photographer, so you didn't have to focus on taking photos. Can not find a single thing wrong with this experience, perfect.
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for kindly leaving a nice review! We are all very glad you enjoyed your time with us.
Written 6 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katharina B
5 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
The experience was really cool. It is a located in a real ancient samurei home, you get to wear samurei clothes and get a good idea of the samurei. The coolest part is to lead a katana yourself and the zen meditation afterwards.
Everyone is super friendly and the explanations are in perfect english (simultaneous translation by an american women).
Everyone is super friendly and the explanations are in perfect english (simultaneous translation by an american women).
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josette G
17 contributions
Sept 2019
For me this was the most exciting, awesome experience I ever had with holding a 120 year old Katana. Love my swords and this experience topped it for me number 1. Learning the history of samurai, zen meditation, the staff so humble and the way they go about showing you the way of Samurai. This place is amazing, shoin-zukuri. So highly recommend if you travel to Kyoto you need to do this, Thank you to all the staff
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimonTripping
United Kingdom26 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
We had a really fantastic time here. It was one of the things we wanted to do in Japan and Kyoto was the perfect place to do it given its history of the Samurai. We definitely chose the right place as it was so authentic and had a whole host of people teaching/performing to us. The experience included being dressed up in traditional clothing, a variety of performances, zen meditation, history of the Samurai and then of course the actual katana wielding experience itself! We practiced with the wooden ones first before moving onto the real thing. It was definitely worth it and would love to do it again! I loved it so much I bought a Samurai sword from a store they recommended!
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolinablue2018
Charlotte, NC22 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
My husband and I went with our daughter, her husband and two grandchildren to the Kyoto Samurai Experience last week. It was a wonderful, educational experience for all ages. The staff was very professional and friendly and helped us all to experience using a real katana. It was amazing!
Written 21 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D2MLtrips
3 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
This was an amazing experience for our multi-generational family traveling together to Kyoto. Everything takes place at a beautiful location, and so much is included in the two hours. The pre-teen, teen, parents, and grandparents all wielded a katana, and most of the group (including the pre-teen) successfully cut the tatami thanks to the training provided. We were also treated to a Bushido performance, Zen meditation, Q&A session, and a bonus traditional Japanese flute performance. While there were multiple families together during most of the experience, they broke us into smaller groups for the hands-on katana practice, resulting in a private session for our family of six. Lots of photos were taken using their camera (shared via email) and our own. This experience far exceeded our expectations and we all highly recommend it.
Written 21 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boys_shall_travel
Montreal, Canada5 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We had a great time learning about the history and culture of Samurai warriors. All of the team were informative and patient. The whole family loved this experience. The only downside is that we were told we would be sent photos of our experience and so we didn’t take many ourselves.. but they never arrived. Still a fabulous experience.
Written 8 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Здравствуйте как забронировать. Напишите номер what’s app.. чтобы я могла с вами связаться
Written 11 July 2023
luciano86arq
Burleigh Waters, Australia
Is this included cutting with the sword like the Kyoto Samurai Experience?
Thank you very much.
Written 11 August 2019
Yes cutting a rolled tatami mat as shown on the picture is included and a lot of fun
Written 20 August 2019
We are visiting Kyoto for one day. Do you think we can enjoy the experience with my family I have 2 daughter 15 and 4 yrs old. Is it should be 2 hours? Or can be less
Can we just try the dressing and take pic?
Thanks
Written 13 March 2019
All yes to your questions. For details, you can contact the company direct.
Written 8 April 2019
Todd Y
Shanghai, China
just wondering how much is the cost per person for this experience?
Written 29 December 2018
405vicki
Auckland Central, New Zealand
Hi we are a family of 5, only here till Tuesday 31/7 morning. Would there be any availability for us, even as a private group?
Written 27 July 2018
PlsLouise
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Hello! I sent a detailed email request, and I am wondering if you can accommodate a group of 10?
Written 1 June 2018
Vahnderbie
Oviedo, Spain
Buenas,
Quiero saber si hablan algo de español.
Una persona que sabe poco inglés puede disfrutar de esta experiencia?
Un saludo y gracias.
Written 6 March 2018
Dear Vahnderbie,
We are sorry but we do not have any Spanish speakers. However we do have fluent English translators during the activity to help you with anything.
Hope this information helps.
Kyoto Samurai Experience Staff
Written 8 March 2018
mariafidler
Sydney, Australia
Hi,
I would love to book this experience for myself and my partner, for February 2018. I know that is a while away but dates are not open for that time yet. Will this experience be available in February 2018?
Thank you
Written 24 October 2017
Hi mariafidler,
As far as i can tell, this shouldn't be a problem as they've only started late last year and i don't see any reason they would stop offering it. You might want to contact them using their fb page fb/kyoto.samurai.experience/ and check. If possible, they might be able to offer you a slot well in advance.
Written 25 October 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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