"Great acitivity, a little pricey but def worth it to feel like a samurai"
Samurai Experience · Kyoto
Best Samurai Experience in Kyoto 2026 — Kendo in a Century-Old Machiya
Train in kendo with full uniform and gear inside a traditional Kyoto machiya over 100 years old — instructor-led, photos and videos included.
Top rated
From
$99
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.8 / 5 1071+ Reviews
- 9 Categories All Samurai & Ninja Experiences
- English Guides Local Experts
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What Makes This Samurai & Ninja Experience Special
Everything that makes this a must-book samurai or ninja experience.
Highlights
- Feel like an authentic samurai with this authentic kendo and sword experience
- Experience using a sword in a 120-year-old building traditional Kyoto building
- Dress in all the gear and equipment as you are shown you to use the sword
- Be photographed and videos by your instructor to take memories away with you
What's Included
- Instruction
- Uniform rental
- Equipment rental
- Shoe rental
- Gear rental
How Your Kyoto Experience Works
Four steps from booking to a real Kyoto food experience.
Book Your Kyoto Experience
Reserve online in under a minute — instant confirmation by email, with free cancellation on most experiences up to 24 hours before.
Pick Your Date & Time
Browse live availability and pick the slot that fits your trip — most dates show instant confirmation.
Meet Your Local Host
The meeting point is an old Japanese house with a large gate.
Taste the Real Kyoto
Feel like an authentic samurai with this authentic kendo and sword experience
Photo Gallery
Samurai & Ninja Experiences — Through the Lens
Market halls, port-wine lodges, sardine grills, and custard-tart counters — captured by our travelers.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Kyoto Samurai Experiences — Compared
How the top pick stacks up — pick the highlighted option to book, or browse alternatives.
| Feature | BEST RATED Top Pick | Alternative | Browse All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $99/per person | Varies | Varies |
| Rating | 4.8★ (1071) | 4.5+★ | 4.0+★ |
| Free Cancellation | Yes | Most | Most |
| Best For | Top-rated pick | Comparison shoppers | Browsing everything |
| Check Availability | View Options | See All Tours |
More Kyoto Samurai Experience Options
Compare alternative experiences — all with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Samurai Experience · Kyoto
About Kyoto Samurai Experiences
The top-rated samurai experience in Kyoto is a kendo class, not a photo op. You dress in authentic training attire — the full uniform and gear — and an expert instructor teaches you how to handle the sword, from bamboo and foam practice swords up through the proper form behind each cut.
The setting does half the work: the class runs inside a traditional Kyoto machiya more than 100 years old, and your instructor photographs and films you during training so you leave with the footage. With 1,071 reviews at 4.8/5, it’s the most-reviewed samurai experience on this site.
Also in Kyoto: Ninja Experience Kyoto · Sword Class Kyoto · Samurai Show Kyoto
Guest Reviews
What Travelers Say
5/5
from 1071 verified GetYourGuide travelers
"Taka was a great and knowledgable host. Gave us a really good understanding of the Samurai culture and gave us a great starter training of kendo. Strongly recommendation for a families especially these with teenage boys."
"The experience was wonderful. We learned a lot about samourai and kendo, and it was pretty fun to practise it in the group. They were very kind with everyone and very respectful. We really enjoyed it, was worthy."
"I and my brothers massively enjoyed this experience! If you want to learn about kendo and actually experience it, this tour is highly recommended. Definitely one of the highlights of our Day trip in Kyoto. Special thanks to our kendo-master Taka-san and Hime-chan (his cat) who made it such a memorable experience!"
"The Kendo and Samurai experience was amazing! I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto that is interested in martial arts or even curious. It was a fun family activity with my 2 boys and husband. Taka was a great host and very energetic and kept everything fun, educational, and exciting for everyone. Hana also helped with the boys and “battled” my husband. This will be a great memory for the family!"
"Taka was absolutely amazing. he was super knowledgeable, extremely funny and easy going. he made the experience wonderful. we had a great time learning about the history, about taka and being a samurai. my boys lived the fighting and the sowds. thank you taka for the best time!"
"Our Sensei was brilliant, super informative of the history of the Samurai Warriors and extremely humorous. It was fascinating to watch how to properly sheath a sword and learn the culture behind it. Being able to learn about kendo was an experience in itself. The location was easy to find, we took a scenic walk from the station (30 mins) and enjoyed the grounds of Kyoto. Thank you to our knowledgeable Sensei for an incredible time! If my partner and I are ever around, we will definitely pay another visit."
"It was awesome! It helped that the group was small, so it felt more personable! Taka was great! Definitely enjoyed the history lesson behind everything. Would highly recommend for first timers in there area."
Read all 1071 verified reviews
See All ReviewsReady to Book Your Samurai or Ninja Experience?
Pick the right format and city for your trip — sword class, kendo dojo, ninja training, theater show or samurai district walk. Dozens of experiences compared, all with free cancellation. Starting from $99 per person.
Browse Samurai & Ninja ExperiencesKyoto Samurai Experience — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking a samurai experience in Kyoto.
Prices start around $98.94 per person for the top-rated option. Costs vary by group size, duration, and inclusions.
Most run 1–3 hours — check each experience's details for the exact duration and what's included.
Our top pick is "Kyoto: Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear" — rated 4.8/5 from 1071 reviews. See the comparison above for alternatives.
Most experiences welcome complete beginners; several offer kid-friendly sessions. Check the minimum age on each experience before booking.
Equipment and gear are provided — uniforms, practice swords, or costumes depending on the experience. Exact inclusions are listed on each page.
The featured experiences are run for international visitors — check each listing for language details.
Meeting points are central and shown on your voucher after booking.
A few days to a week in peak season. Free cancellation on most experiences means booking early is low-risk.
Still have questions? Email us at info@samuraininjaexperience.com