Samurai Experiences in Tokyo: 15 Sorted by What They Cost

1.Samurai Restaurant Show Ticket with 2 Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,307 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55Our pick

Enter Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho for a loud, colorful stage show featuring samurai, ninjas, dancers, elaborate costumes, neon lights, and dramatic music. Your ticket includes two alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. The production is highly visual rather than story-driven, and the close stage and powerful sound make earplugs worth considering.

“One of the most amazing shows I've seen. Definitely worth going if you're visiting Tokyo for the first time, or if you just need something fun to see.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,010 reviews · from $27

At Tokyo’s Samurai Ninja Museum, an English-speaking guide such as Kenny, Nami, Shin, or Megan leads you through samurai armor, helmets, swords, and ninja history. The roughly one-hour visit combines clear storytelling with shuriken throwing and a samurai dress-up session using a real helmet and metal sword.

“An enthusiastic guide makes a tour worthwhile and this one didn’t disappoint. Great history lesson done in a fun way.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.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”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Best Samurai Experience in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 458 reviews · from $65

At Samurai Theater Tokyo in Shinjuku, you choose a kimono and hakama, learn safe sword handling from instructors with film and television experience, then perform a short choreographed fight. The one-hour session includes costumes, instruction, museum-style armor displays, and time for photos and video. Solo visitors and families can join.

“Loved the instructors. Great great experience. Had so much fun and quite the mind exercise. Would definitely recommend”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $47

At Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO in Asakusa, you’ll learn about ninja tools and samurai armor, dress in a ninja outfit, practice with ninja stars and other weapons, pose for photos, and join a treasure hunt. The 75-minute activity suits families with children age 3 and up, with adults required to accompany children.

“Fantastic experience. We used a blow pipe, a ninja star. The tour (in English) was interesting and informative. The staff were great. I loved it and so did my 7yo son. Well worth the money and time spent. Would definitely recommend!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

6.Samurai Entertainment Night Show in Kanda Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 417 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

Spend an evening at Kanda Myojin Shrine with a samurai theater performance about Taira no Masakado. Arrive at 7 PM for drinks and optional Japanese food, then watch swordplay, dance, music, lights, and folklore from 8:15 to 9:15 PM. Afterward, take photos with the performers until 10 PM. Seats are assigned, and filming is not allowed during the show.

“Very entertaining show, excellent performance by the casts. Overall really great production! Food was basic but delicious, service were also great. Highly recommend this show to everyone, adults and older children (our kids, 10 & 12 years old enjoyed the show very much).”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

7.Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Samurai Sword Lesson & Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 306 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

In Asakusa, you’ll wear hakama, armor, and a helmet, practice a katana routine with English-speaking instructors such as Ryo and Koki, tour samurai and ninja displays, try ninja weapons, and pose for photos. The two-hour session suits families and first-timers, though children under six cannot enter.

“Really fun activity! Kenny (the katana instructor) speaks good english, he was funny and made the session really interesting! We managed to do a katana routine, learn avout the culture and managed to throw shurikens plenty of times! Would recommend to anyone that is around Tokyo!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

8.Samurai Sword Experience (Family Friendly)at SAMURAI MUSEUM TOKYO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $65

At Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa, you’ll dress in hakama and samurai gear, learn three safe sword movements with an instructor, pose for photos, and try rubber ninja stars. Guides including Ryo, Kenny, Momo, and Jack have led sessions in clear English. The experience begins at 2:00 pm and returns to the meeting point.

“Excellent experience for families specially with small kids. We had so much fun with the sword training and learned a lot about samurai and ninja culture.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

9.Best Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 124 reviews · 1 hour · from $63

At Samurai Theater Tokyo, you choose a kimono and hakama, learn sword parts and basic movements from English- or Japanese-speaking instructors, then perform a choreographed chanbara fight with a safe practice sword. The one-hour small-group session includes photos, video help, and a final samurai performance with music and lights.

“it was so interesting, fun, interractive, learningful and awesome experience. 10000% recommend”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

10.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”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

11.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!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

12.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. :)”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

13.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.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

14.Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Kid-Friendly Ninja Training

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 67 reviews · 1h 15m · from $56

Spend 75 minutes at Tokyo Samurai & Ninja Museum in Asakusa wearing a full ninja outfit, learning ninja techniques, throwing shuriken, using a blowgun, and completing a treasure hunt. An English-speaking guide leads the session, with Koki praised for clear explanations. Children under 3 may enter but cannot join the activity.

“We got to do the ninja experience. It was so cool and our instructor was amazing!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

15.Samurai Adventure! Authentic Sword Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $24Best value

At Samurai Experience Photo Studio ICHI, action actors Dai and Kume introduce you to samurai movement through warm-ups, sword handling, wooden-sword drills, demonstrations, and paired practice. Choose a public class with Japanese acting students or a private lesson. Samurai clothing may be available as an option, and the session ends with photos.

“Dai and Kume were wonderful and kind instructors. They provided demonstrations and helpful tips, and they were generous in fixing an item that had broken for my friend. In the future, when I visit Japan again, I would definitely return for this samurai adventure.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →