Kyoto Samurai Experience: Encounter Bushido with Real Katana and Zen in Historic House

Immerse yourself in the world of samurais in Kyoto. Experience the art of wielding a real katana and discover the essence of Zen in a historic samurai house.

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kyoto Samurai Experience/Waraku - This is a fantastic opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the samurai culture. Discover the rich history of Japan’s warrior class and experience handling an authentic katana. Following this, engage in Zen meditation, a practice the samurai used to achieve mental tranquility during combat.
What's Included
  • Zen meditation experience
  • Photos of the activity
  • Use of a genuine katana
  • Professional instructor
Additional Information

Discover the Samurai Way in Kyoto
Immerse yourself in the samurai world with this genuine experience. Adorn yourself in traditional samurai garments and delve into the history of this warrior class, followed by an engaging demonstration by our skilled instructors.
Subsequently, participants will have the opportunity to hone their swordsmanship skills,…

Location
Kyoto Samurai Experience/Waraku
Our gates will open 15 minutes before your scheduled time. In order to be dressed in samurai attire, guests need to arrive at this time. We will begin our session promptly at the scheduled time. If you arrive after this time, you will not be dressed in samurai attire.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(987 Ratings)
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Kannydj
Mar 19, 2025
Amazing Samurai house and experience - To experience holding a 150 year old samurai sword is a real honour and privilege. Massive thanks to the guys for giving us this opportunity. We learnt so much and had the best time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leannek906
Mar 19, 2025
Highly Recommend the Kyoto Samurai Experience - My husband and I attended the Kyoto Samurai Experience on 10 March and highly recommend. The experience is held in a traditional dwelling once lived in by a Samurai and is very authentic and professional. After being assisted into the traditional attire, you are given a brief history by an English speaking assistant (who interprets for the duration of the experience) and watch a display from the samurai before splitting into groups for your sword training, starting with wooden swords, before progressing to a real sword. Safety is taken seriously and the whole experience was fun and informative They also take photos of you in action and share with you after the experience (for no additional fee) Don’t hesitate- it was one of the best things we did while in Japan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher
Mar 18, 2025
Samurai Experience - Samurai Experience was pretty awesome. I certainly recommend this spot to anyone visiting Japan and want to learn and wield a real Katana blade.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happiness57961134743
Mar 18, 2025
Best part of Kyoto! - Wow this experience was so much. Learned so much about the house, the samurai, and of course some very basics on how to wield a katana. The zen portion was very relaxing and the sword part was very exciting. Overall very highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway02112283144
Mar 17, 2025
Kyoto Samurai experience - Highly Recommended! - The Kyoto Samurai Experience was truly the highlight of our trip to Kyoto! From start to finish, it was an unforgettable adventure that combined history, culture, and hands-on excitement in the most perfect way. The experience offered a unique opportunity to hold and learn about a 150-year-old authentic samurai sword, which was both humbling and awe-inspiring. The guide provided fascinating insights into the rich history of the samurai, adding immense historical value to the entire experience. The event itself was incredibly well-organized, with clear instructions and a focus on safety throughout, making it perfect for both beginners and those with some experience in martial arts. The staff made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident, ensuring a safe and enjoyable time for all participants. It’s not often you get to step back in time and physically connect with such a significant part of Japanese history, and this experience allowed us to do just that. The combination of education and hands-on learning made it an unforgettable part of our Kyoto trip. I highly recommend the Kyoto Samurai Experience to anyone visiting Kyoto – it’s an absolute must-do for history lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for something unique and memorable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J355uuandrewj
Mar 16, 2025
Amazing - I had an amazing experience at Kyoto samurai experience! They were very accommodating. The staff was very helpful. A must do for anyone in Japan interested in samurai, zen meditation, or Japanese history!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelly_p
Mar 16, 2025
Cool samurai experience - Exciting and fun experience. Daughter loved the outfits and the fact that we got to use real swords. The samurai was very impressive and imparted a real sense of history, and zen. His skills were amazing to watch.
Review provided by Viator
Shannon
Mar 16, 2025
Book this now! - This was an amazing experience! We loved it as it is not something you will ever do again! We thought it was expensive UNTIL after the experience we realised it was definitely worth the money! Great to meet a real swordsman and see a samurais house!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Mar 15, 2025
Absolutely astonishing - They were amazing! So accommodating to our needs. They helped you immerse yourself into the samurai culture. It’s an experience I would do again my next visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica_w
Mar 15, 2025
We had lots of fun. ... - We had lots of fun. Enjoyed getting to see and participate in the Samurai culture. Would recommend to others.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
1 Adult
March 2025
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