Martial Arts Experiences in Japan: 15 Sorted by What They Cost

1.Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

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

Spend two hours with Taka-san in a traditional Kyoto dojo, dressing in training clothes and gear before learning basic kendo movements, sword etiquette, and samurai history. You will practice with safe training swords, take part in guided exercises, and pose for photos and videos. No prior experience is needed. The old house, friendly teaching, and small-group feel make this more than costume play.

“Very good guide & very interactive. We were made to feel welcome and no one was left out of any activity. Got to dress up & learn about the Samurai. A fun & engaging 2 hours.”

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2.Samurai Sword & Archery Class from Samurai Descendant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 603 reviews · 3 hours · from $193Top rated

At Toyama-ryu BIZENKAI near JR Machida, Yoshioki Sumida and his team teach sword handling, iai forms, sparring, target cutting, and Japanese horseback archery. You will wear a practice uniform, handle training weapons, learn samurai history, and try a longbow used in traditional kyudo-style practice. This is a shared, hands-on class, not a staged photo session.

“Yoshioki is a highly professional teacher who is knowledgeable in martial arts and archery. He gave us an excellent introduction to the art of katana sword fighting. I really enjoyed sparring with swords, and the lessons on Japanese swords are also very interesting. Yoshikoi speaks English very well. I really like this course and would recommend it to anyone interested in Japanese martial arts. Elio”

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3.Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 515 reviews · from $131

At a central Osaka dojo, Toshi and his wife Kumiko introduce you to samurai customs and beginner kendo in English. You’ll wear a uniform and protective armor, practice with a bamboo sword, learn footwork and strikes, then try a supervised match. The two-hour session includes photos, videos, changing rooms, showers, and air conditioning.

“It was a fenomenal experience I had a lot of fun and everyone was really kind helpful and knowledgeable not just of the sport but the history, will definitely come again if I get the chance”

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4.Japanesel Archery Experience HIROSHIMA CASTLE SHARAKU

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 387 reviews · from $43

At Hiroshima Castle Sannomaru Ruins, you’ll dress in a dogi and hakama, learn the formal steps of kyudo, and shoot Japanese arrows under close instruction. Sessions last about an hour and take up to four people. Translation apps help bridge language gaps, and you may have time for practice rounds and a friendly competition.

“Wow. The guide was an expert and years of knowledge. He was very clear with how to fire the arrow ….”

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5.Hiroshima: Traditional Japanese Archery Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 351 reviews · 1 hour · from $41

At Hiroshima Castle SHARAKU, you’ll dress in dogi, hakama, and light armor before learning the careful movements of kyudo. English support and translation apps help beginners follow along. Expect 45 minutes of instruction and shooting, plus time to change and take photos. Groups are limited to four, and some sessions include a friendly target contest.

“One of the best things I did in Japan! I could continue all day long. Highly recommend!”

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6.Japanese Archery Workshop with Experienced Instructor

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

Spend one hour learning Kyudo, Japan’s formal style of archery, with Yamaguchi-sensei, a teacher with more than 50 years of practice and a sixth-grade Kyudo teaching rank. You’ll study stance, bow grip, movement, and the tradition behind each step. The lesson is in Japanese, supported by English materials and an assistant interpreter.

“it was a very good experience, very hands on. The teacher was very present and attentive, walking through every motion and was very encouraging. The assistant was able to effectively communicate in English and gave very thorough explanation of the history and cultural/spiritual reasons behind every move. A very fun experience over all.”

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7.Samurai sword and archery class from a samurai descendant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · from $198

At a dojo in Machida, Tokyo, samurai descendant Yoshioki Sumida leads a 2.5-hour class in sword history, iai forms, sparring, target cutting, and bow shooting. You receive training clothes and equipment, then watch a demanding Toyama-ryu demonstration. This is hands-on martial arts training, not a staged show.

“Amazing experience! Love every second of it. Probably the best thing I’ve done in Japan so far. Highly recommended”

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8.Tokyo 2-Hour Genuine Samurai Experience: Kendo in Japan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · from $118

Meet your English-speaking Kendo instructor at a dojo in northern Tokyo for a hands-on two-hour lesson. Learn samurai etiquette, footwork, strikes, and armor basics, then take part in tournament-style sparring. Equipment, bottled water, and a Japanese hand towel are included. All skill levels are welcome, with a minimum age of nine.

“we were watching an interesting youtube channel about kendo. thought the first youtube sensei was knowledgeable, informative, and easygoing. it was a surprise to get to the actual class, and see the exact same sensei that we were watching n youtube!”

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9.Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 2 hours · from $127

At an Osaka dojo, Toshi and his assistants guide you through Samurai history, Kendo etiquette, footwork, strikes, blocks, and a friendly match. You wear a Dōgi, Hakama, and full Bogu armour before facing a partner with a Shinai. The two-hour session ends with Samurai photos and suits beginners, families, and martial arts fans.

“The activity was great fun especially for someone w/ interest in the martial arts, having said that it seems to me my wife may have had even more fun, perhaps because she likes to hit me with a stick!? We learned about the art, the equipment, the strikes, that rules of the sport, and were allowed us to spar. Additionally they took many pictures of us in kendo gear both posed and action. Most importantly, the master and his assistant were friendly, helpful, kind and patient, allowing us to engage to our own capacity. We found them fun and easy to laugh. Our class ended up just us and we…”

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10.Samurai Kendo Practice Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 102 reviews · 2 hours · from $116

At a small dojo near JR Uguisudani Station, you’ll learn kendo basics from experienced instructors, including Nagamatsu-sensei, then dress in armor and practice men, kote, and do strikes with a bamboo sword. Expect etiquette, footwork, light sparring, a look at real swordsmanship, and plenty of exercise. English and Japanese instruction is provided.

“This was really incredible! I can't believe we tried Kendo. The master is really helpful and strict while remaining playful, he kept us disciplined and we had so much fun! You get to wear real, traditional Kendo suits and use the training Katana – but you get to wield a real one, too! Incredible. He has been doing Kendo for over 60 years! I only advise for the parting gift to be written in Japanese, instead of English, as it makes for a better souvenir for tourists. :)”

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11.Japanese Archery (Kyudo) Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2h 30m · from $122

At an official Tokyo Kyudo hall, instructor Jun introduces you to Japanese archery through traditional clothing, careful form, and repeated practice on a real competition range. This small-group, 150-minute session includes equipment, English instruction, and dozens of attempts, though hitting the target is never guaranteed.

“It was a really great experience and a lot of fun. The instructor and the participants were all in good spirits. The instructor explained everything clearly, from the clothing and the sport itself to the shooting. With the instructor's tips, everyone was able to shoot straight and almost hit the target, and with a bit of luck, the arrow would even go in. The instructor was motivating and fully engaged. All the shooting and trying things out was excellent.”

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12.Samurai Experience – Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours · from $103

Spend two hours with Kendo Spirit learning the meaning and movement of kendo near Tokyo Station. Daichi and Makoto guide you through etiquette, footwork, sword handling, protective gear, and a friendly match. You finish by watching the instructors face one another in a focused kendo demonstration. Equipment, drinks, souvenirs, and photos or video are included.

“Fun! The instructors were focused on providing genuine knowledge of the budo, rather than settling for a “tourist experience.” Would highly recommend.”

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13.Kyoto 2 Hours Genuine Kendo / Samurai Experience In Japan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $118

Meet your instructor at Hanazono Station and walk less than five minutes to the dojo. Under the guidance of Takahiro Hayashi and experienced 7th Dan teachers, you will learn kendo etiquette, footwork, basic strikes, armor use, and controlled practice with bamboo swords. Equipment, water, and a towel are included.

“This was the first activity we did and it set the tone for the whole rest of the week! Our instructor was Hayashi and he was very fun, and helped us take photos and videos to share.”

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14.Kendo and samurai experience in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · from $105

Spend about two hours at Atelier NIN in northern Kyoto learning kendo basics, sword handling, posture, and samurai etiquette. Instructors such as Taka, Kengo, and Hayato guide beginners through practice with bamboo, foam, and blunt replica swords. Training attire and photo opportunities are included, but tatami cutting may no longer be available.

“Our instructor Taka was a great teacher. However my only issue was that the experience was advertised as having the opportunity to cut a tatami matt at the end with a katana. We never did this even though the description of the experienRead more”

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15.Karate Experience with Former All-Japan Champion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $58

Meet Ryo, a Japanese 2nd Dan Kyokushin black belt and former All-Japan champion, for a 60 to 90-minute karate lesson in Tokyo. You’ll bow, stretch, practice punches, blocks, kicks, kata, pad work, and safe non-contact sparring. Beginners and experienced martial artists can train together, with English instruction available.

“Since I was a kid I dreamt about the day I had the chance to experience karate in Japan. Thanks to Ryo I made that dream happen! Lesson starts with a nice warm up and then onto the great stuff! I am a black belt of Shotokan karate (different style of what Ryo practice) and so it was super interesting seeing how the two styles differ. Loved that from the REI at the start of the lesson you can feel the spirit of karate. Had so much fun and was good to be back in a karate lesson environment. I wish Ryo all the best, and 100% recommend experience when…”

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