Samurai Experiences in Japan: The 15 Best

Tokyo: Samurai Restaurant Show Ticket with 2 Drinks - Entering the huge Kabukicho venue

★★★★★★★★★★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.”

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Kyoto Samurai Experience

2.Kyoto Samurai Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,294 reviews · from $119Top rated

Spend about 1 hour 45 minutes learning samurai customs, Bushido, sword basics, and Zen meditation at a traditional Kyoto samurai house. You’ll change into a kimono, handle a martial arts sword under expert instruction, and take part in a guided session. Morning and afternoon times are available, with groups capped at 14.

“This was the most authentic and “non-touristy” tourist activities I’ve ever experienced, in any country. The Instructors are all legit masters of the sword, and they put on flawless performances of Japanese sword mastery. Their instruction was Read more”

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Tokyo: Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience

3.Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience

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

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.”

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Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

4.Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear

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

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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Kyoto: Samurai Sword Class by Experts in Traditional Arts

5.Samurai Sword Class by Experts in Traditional Arts

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 657 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $64

At Kyoto’s Samurai Kembu Theater, an English-speaking instructor such as Kazu or Hoga guides you through bowing, drawing a katana, controlled strikes, and respectful sword etiquette. You’ll wear samurai clothing, take photos, receive a tenugui towel and certificate, and watch a 10-minute or 30-minute Kenbu performance, depending on your booking.

“I liked Kazu and his attitude, you could pick your costume and practice very beautiful and interesting culture. The show was even more captivating as the masters showed the moves. Highly recommend it even for those who think that they are not into swords and fighting. Because this is art and it gives you a peace of mind”

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Skip the lines Basic Ticket at SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM KYOTO

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

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

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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Tokyo: Samurai Sword & Archery Class from Samurai Descendant

7.Samurai Sword & Archery Class from Samurai Descendant

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

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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Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka

8.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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Best Samurai Experience in Tokyo

9.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”

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Ninja Experience (Family Friendly) at Samurai Ninja Museum TOKYO

10.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!”

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Kyoto: Samurai Kenbu Traditional Sword Dancing Show

11.Samurai Kenbu Traditional Sword Dancing Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 426 reviews · 1 hour · from $32

At Samurai Kembu Theater in central Kyoto, English-speaking instructors introduce Kenbu, a 700-year-old samurai sword dance. Watch narrated tales from Japan’s feudal era, see fan techniques, then handle a sword and practice simple movements under guidance. Shoes come off at the door, and photos are allowed after the performance.

“The show was amazing very entertaining and informative. It was also very dramatic and the people involved were very passionate about Kembu and we learnt a lot. We felt very welcome the people were kind and funny and put us at ease during the learning part at the end. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend to everyone.”

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Tokyo: Samurai Entertainment Night Show in Kanda Shrine

12.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).”

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Samurai Ninja Museum Asakusa: Samurai Sword Lesson & Tour

13.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!”

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Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto

14.Samurai Training with Modern day Musashi in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $132

In central Kyoto, Yushin-sensei, Jordan, and John introduce you to samurai culture and iaido inside an actual dojo. You will dress in dōgi, obi, and hakama, practice safe katana handling, learn a short kata, and watch the master perform with two swords. The session lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes and suits participants age 12 and older.

“We had an amazing time! The experience feels very authentic as you are training in an actual dojo! You can see all of the names of the students on the back wall on wooden plaques. Do not get sucked into the tourist trap experiences… come train with Yushi! After the lesson we got to watch Yushi demonstrate three different cuts, and he showed us a real samurai sword, showing us the different parts and telling us about how they are made. Fun and educational :)”

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Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

15.Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · from $66

At Kembu Kyoto Dojo, an English-speaking instructor teaches you how to bow, draw and sheath a sword, strike, and perform stylized kenbu movements. You will dress in samurai clothing, take photos, receive a certificate and tenugui towel, and may upgrade to a longer lesson with fan work and stage choreography.

“Easy to find venue. The show was delightful and it wasn’t too crowded. Afterwards, my family and one other family got to learn how to use katana. We chose what we wanted to wear as traditional garb. We had plenty of time to take pictures. Highly recommend.”

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