Samurai Swordsmanship Experience in Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan
About This Activity
In a traditional samurai house in central Kyoto, a trained instructor teaches you the philosophies of Bushido (the way of the warrior) and guides you through basic sword forms using a real katana. You dress in hakama (traditional samurai trousers) for the session, which includes instruction in drawing and striking techniques, Zen meditation with a singing bowl, and a final performance demonstration. Groups are small; sessions run 90 minutes.
Seasonal note: Available year-round
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 16 of our curated itineraries.
Best 3 Days in Japan — Wellness & Spas
Tokyo → Kyoto
Best 5 Days in Japan — Wellness & Spas
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
Best 7 Days in Japan — Wellness & Spas
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
Best 10 Days in Japan — Wellness & Spas
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
Best 14 Days in Japan — Winter
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
Best 21 Days in Japan — Art & Culture
Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka
More Activities in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine — 10,000 Torii Gates, Kyoto
Hike 4 km through 10,000 vermillion torii gates up Mount Inari at Kyoto's most visited shrine

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Garden, Kyoto
Walk a 500 m path through 20-meter-tall bamboo, then tour Tenryu-ji's UNESCO Zen garden

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Temple, Kyoto
See the three-story gold-leaf pavilion reflected in Kyoko-chi pond at one of Japan's most photographed landmarks

Gion District & Hanamikoji Geisha Quarter, Kyoto
Walk Hanamikoji at dusk through Kyoto's most atmospheric geisha district of lantern-lit machiya teahouses

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Sannenzaka Heritage Walk, Kyoto
Climb to Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage for panoramic Kyoto views then descend through 400-year-old stone-paved lanes
Philosopher's Path — Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, Kyoto
Walk the 2 km canal-side path from the Silver Pavilion to Nanzen-ji beneath 200 cherry trees

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Higashiyama District
UNESCO World Heritage temple with iconic veranda overlooking Kyoto and traditional shopping streets

Nishiki Market Food Walk — Kyoto's 400-Year Kitchen
Graze through 130+ stalls of tsukemono pickles, silken tofu, grilled scallops, and matcha sweets in downtown Kyoto