11 Ninja Experiences in Kyoto Sorted by Hour and Price

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 632 reviews · from $28Our pick

Spend about an hour at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum with a guide such as Naromi, Raito, Saku, or Nobu. See samurai armor, swords, and weapons, learn about feudal Japan, try on costume pieces, pose with a replica katana, and throw ninja stars. The experience suits families and first-time visitors more than serious museum scholars.

“It was a fun way to spend an hour! Our group enjoyed it! We thought the pace and amount of information was great!”

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2.Ninja 1-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 489 reviews · from $80Top rated

Spend one hour at Kyoto’s NINJA DOJO and STORE learning ninja breathing, walking, meditation, sword handling, kunai, shuriken, and blowgun techniques. English-speaking instructors such as Sho and Jack lead small classes of up to six, with ninja clothing provided. Expect hands-on practice, a trick-house demonstration, and a playful introduction to ninja history.

“Great experience - we were there with our teenage kids and had a blast learning about the ninja movements, weapons and rituals. It was just the 4 of us plus one person so it was great to be in a small group and practice all the movememnts. They also took pictures and videos and shared with us at no extra cost, Highly recommend this inmersive experience!”

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3.Ninja Weapon Forging Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 478 reviews · 2h 30m · from $148

At a Kyoto blacksmith studio near Hieizanguchi Station, Taka and his team guide you through forging, sanding, engraving, blackening, and polishing a steel shuriken. Choose from three styles, or pay ¥3,000 extra for a kunai. You will wear samue, use real tools, learn ninja lore, and leave with a custom piece for checked luggage.

“The activity was great fun. Our guide Taka has great energy, explained everything really well, kept it interesting and helped when needed. The different steps were explained before getting the chance to do them ourselves. We learnt some information about ninjas and forging weapons. For anyone who loves the culture, and a hands-on experience, I would definitely recommend”

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4.Ninja 2-hour Hands-on Lesson by Japanese master in Kyoto -Medium

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $95

At NINJA DOJO and STORE KYOTO, a Japanese Sensei teaches a two-hour English-language lesson for no more than six people. You will wear ninja clothing and practice breathing, meditation, walking, sword handling, shuriken throwing, kunai, rope techniques, and blowgun skills. Photos and videos may also be sent by email after class.

“Our family had an amazing time! Our instructor was tons of fun and knowledgeable. We got to experiment with many Ninja weapons and learned lots of Ninja techniques. The gift shop was great for our Ninja purchases. Fun for all ages!!! Highly recommend!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $83

At the Samurai Ninja Museum near Nishiki Market, you dress in hakama, learn basic iaido movements with a blunt replica sword, take part in a controlled sword exercise, throw ninja stars, and tour the museum. Instructors such as Riku, Riu, Ken, and Nobu have led sessions, though the pace and group size can vary.

“The only reason I gave 2 stars and not one is because the instructor and samurai giving the lesson was great. The whole thing was disorganized and difficult to find. No where on Viator did it say this experience is for 18 and older or to go to the website to verify information. When we got there, the guys at the samurai museum said it’s on our website. How were we to know that? I booked this so my kids can have an experience with a real samurai and my teenage kid. I would not have booked it otherwise. It says it’s for a group of 10 but there were…”

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6.Samurai Ninja Museum guided tour

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

Spend one hour at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum with an English-speaking guide such as Miu, Sayo, Akiko, or Ko. See armor and weapons, wear a samurai costume and real helmet, hold a replica sword, and try shuriken throwing. The tour is wheelchair accessible and usually designed for a small group.

“Sayo was a great guide and we’re very happy with the quality of the tour, and explanations provided by Sayo. Definitely recommend this tour!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $56

At Maikoya’s Kyoto Ninja Experience, you put on a ninja outfit, practice shuriken throwing and blowgun shooting, learn simple stealth and sword techniques, and watch a sword demonstration. Samurai dress-up and a museum visit are included. The small group size is capped at four, though the museum is in another building.

“This was such a fun experience! The instructor was nice and everyone was very accommodating. We got there about 20 minutes past our time and we were still able to join.”

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8.Forge Your Own Ninja Weapon with Japanese Tin Casting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $103

At a studio three minutes from Demachiyanagi Station, you will mold, pour, cool, shape, and polish your own tin ninja piece. Choose a shuriken, or pay extra for a kunai or oni mask. English and Japanese guidance is available, and staff help beginners and children throughout the 2 to 2.5-hour session.

“Best hands-on activity in Kyoto! Super fun workshop!My shuriken turned out really good thanks to the friendly instructors. Don’t miss it if you want to take home something you crafted personally and also best memories!”

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9.Authentic Ninja Weapon Forging Experience in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $151

At Atelier NIN in northern Kyoto, you change into a blacksmith uniform, choose a shuriken or kunai, and shape heated steel under careful instruction. You will hammer, sand, blacken, polish, and personalize your weapon with kanji. Taka and the energetic workshop team also explain ninja tools and techniques during this 2.5-hour hands-on session.

“Wow, what an authentic experience! You really truly are making a weapon to take home. These guys were the best. So kind and knowledgeable.”

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10.Ninja Experience Cafe Kyoto Gion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $45

At the Ninja Experience Cafe Kyoto Gion, you change into a ninja outfit, then train with shuriken, a blowgun, and a katana under English or Japanese instruction. Yui and Wei are among the friendly staff members, and the sixth-floor indoor setting works in any weather. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

“Very enjoyable experience! Loved trying out the different weapons with our ninja trainer. Highly recommend”

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11.Family-Friendly Sword Lesson at Samurai Ninja Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $66

Spend two hours at Kyoto’s Samurai Ninja Museum with an English-speaking instructor such as Ken, Raito, Nobu, or Jukia. Wear hakama, armor, and a helmet, learn basic katana movements, visit the museum, try ninja shuriken, and take themed photos. Children under 3 cannot enter.

“Abbiamo partecipato alla lezione di scherma con il Maestro Ken, che ci ha vestiti, ci ha insegnato 2 kata (sequenze di movimenti) con la katana e ci ha fatto sentire dei veri Samurai. Inutile dire che i bambini erano entusiasti e anche per noi adulti é stata un’esperienza indimenticabile. Poi ci siamo spostati al museo dei Samurai e dei Ninja: la visita guidata é stata molto interessante ma la parte più divertente é stata il tiro al bersaglio con gli shuroken dei ninja e fare le foto vestiti da samurai e ninja.. Portiamo a casa un bellissimo ricordo.”

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