Oct 9, 2025
Highly recommend, worth the money and Taka is awesome!! - Would highly recommend this experience!
Our instructor Taka made the whole experience very memorable with his humour and happy demeanour. We were worried that we’d be relearning the same things we saw the day before at the samurai museum although it was a refreshing insight into the lives of samurai and the basics of kendo.
We learned about the traditional armour and how to wear it, how to properly draw your blade and sheathe it and basic kendo moves which you got to utilise during a spar session with bamboo swords. In the end we got foam training bats to fully unleash the skills we learned on each other which was hilarious.
We can’t wait to come back and do the ninja weapon or japanese knife crafting this studio also offers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 2, 2025
Great samurai experience - Our family of five had a great time. The teenagers key comments are:
- the practice sparring with kendo sticks was great fun
- I bet my brother in the final battle , which is always the best
- the armour and costume was very realistic - it made me feel like a samurai.
All in all great 2 hours of fun, topped off with a bus ride and wander to see parts of Kyoto outside of the centre of town.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 18, 2025
The best experience!! Muito Obrigado Takato :) - The best experience I had during my stay in Japan, without a doubt! Taka was so kind and sweet with the whole group; I loved him, a sweetheart. He made me feel and live Japan, immersing myself in the world of martial arts. He made me want to learn more about this incredible world. I'm thinking about starting some martial arts and will definitely return to Kyoto. I highly recommend this experience. I gave the experience to my nephew as a birthday present, and both he and I received a gift! Thank you very much, Takato. I'll be back soon. :)
どうもありがとうございます
間違いなく、日本滞在中に最高の体験でした！タカさんはグループ全員にとても親切で優しく、本当に素敵な方でした。武術の世界に浸りながら、日本を感じ、日本を生きることができました。この素晴らしい世界をもっと学びたいと思いました。私も武術を始めようと思っているので、必ず京都に戻ってきます。この体験は本当におすすめです。甥っ子の誕生日プレゼントにこの体験をあげたら、彼も私もプレゼントをもらいました！タカトさん、本当にありがとうございました。またすぐに来ます。
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 26, 2025
Samurai and kendo - A nice experience to learn more about samurai and kendo, you start with a little theoretical part and later you practice a bit by yourself.
Lots of fun, i definitely recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 9, 2025
Amazing samurai and kendo at NIN Studio - Incredible experience! It was truly original, listening and learning from Taka, one of the descendent of the Tokugawa clan the history of the samurai and Shogunate, as well as been thought by one of the Kendo national champions. You get the chance to wear the full kendo and samurai attire and play kendo in teams. Highly highly recommended experience with NIN Studio Kendo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 3, 2025
Excellent experience! - Went with my son and we had a great time! The instructor was a lot of fun! We thought this was an adult only reservation, but there were kids included with another family - ended up working out great regardless!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 22, 2025
Worth every penny - Amazing experience, we did it as a group of four. We dressed in Samurai attire, learned how to handle katanas, learned how to fight with a kendo (bamboo stick), and even had a little sparing against each other. Matsudaira Takato Sensei was our instructor and informed us on the rich history of his klan. We definitely will do this again when we come to Kyoto, Japan again.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 18, 2025
Unforgettable Samurai Adventure in Kyoto - My son and I had an incredible time at the samurai experience in Kyoto! Despite the rain forcing activities indoors, the session was both highly engaging and educational. We learned fascinating historical details and enjoyed hands-on practice. The instructor was knowledgeable and passionate, making it a memorable highlight of our trip. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 22, 2025
The Right Way of the Sword - The experience was very fun. I went with my girlfriend and we loved to learn about the way of the sword and the culture surrounding it. The instructor spoke english well and was friendly. The equipment was in order and clean. It was an extremely hot day but cold towels were given to us, a nice attention. It would have been nice to have a space to train inside, but the organizers did well with what they had. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 15, 2025
An awesome experience in Kyoto. - A friend of mine and I signed up for this experience after wanted to try something new and unique during our time in Kyoto. This experience completely surpassed all our expectations. Taka was an EXCELLENT teacher! He had so much knowledge and his passion was visible during the entire lecture. We walked away from it, not just having had fun, but having learned something new. The short sparring portion at the end of the lecture was the highlight. Tatami mat slicing can no longer be done legally in Japan, but this was a very welcome replacement.
I'm giving 4 stars (more like 4.5) because I feel the inside of the studio space could've been a little neater and better organized. This would be my only remark.
I wholeheartedly recommend this experience and would gladly try the other workshops by studio Nin if I were ever in Kyoto again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
