Kyoto Samurai Experience: Encounter Bushido with Real Katana and Zen in Historic House

Immerse yourself in the world of samurais in Kyoto. Experience the art of wielding a real katana and discover the essence of Zen in a historic samurai house.

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kyoto Samurai Experience/Waraku - This is a fantastic opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the samurai culture. Discover the rich history of Japan’s warrior class and experience handling an authentic katana. Following this, engage in Zen meditation, a practice the samurai used to achieve mental tranquility during combat.
What's Included
  • Zen meditation experience
  • Photos of the activity
  • Use of a genuine katana
  • Professional instructor
Additional Information

Discover the Samurai Way in Kyoto
Immerse yourself in the samurai world with this genuine experience. Adorn yourself in traditional samurai garments and delve into the history of this warrior class, followed by an engaging demonstration by our skilled instructors.
Subsequently, participants will have the opportunity to hone their swordsmanship skills,…

Location
Kyoto Samurai Experience/Waraku
Our gates will open 15 minutes before your scheduled time. In order to be dressed in samurai attire, guests need to arrive at this time. We will begin our session promptly at the scheduled time. If you arrive after this time, you will not be dressed in samurai attire.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1125 Ratings)
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Claudiu
Aug 13, 2025
Samurai for a day - Wonderful experience. You get to sit in a 300 years old samurai house, learn a bit of samurai history, see a live demonstration of weilding a 120 years old katana and then give it a try yourself. Ended with a zen meditation and some photos in the samurai atire. 10+
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V8293lrmohammads
Aug 12, 2025
Exciting and fun - Great experience. Well organized. Fun for the whole family. Friendly staff that speak fluent English. Worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sedab700
Aug 10, 2025
Spectacular samurai & much more experience - The whole experience from start till end was spectacular. The teachers, guides made it unique. It includes both learning basics of using katana, using it :), tea ceremony, zen meditation in a historical samurai house. A must try.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ochisumo
Aug 9, 2025
Amazing. - I was surprised when I entered that I was using the former samurai residence in Japan as it was. The explanation was easy to understand, polite and full of emotions even for us Japanese. I had a very meaningful time. I really recommend it. Thank you very much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture37742142370
Aug 9, 2025
Samurai Experiences Not Known to Japanese - Even if you spend time in Japan, you don’t quite experience swords, Zen and shamisen in historic buildings. The staff, interpreters, Iaido teachers and shamisen players all had a heart of hospitality and enjoyed it very much among the inbound people. I want to recommend it to others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mulliganthebrave
Aug 6, 2025
Rare experience to use a katana on rolled tatami mats - As all the other reviews have said, this is a great, authentic feeling experience. It takes place in a Samurai's home, with 125 year old katanas. The demonstrations are impressive and the staff are kind and attentive. A must do for those with an interest in samurai.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pioneer786331
Aug 5, 2025
Great experience and lots of fun - Great experience and lots of fun. From dressing like a Samurai, Zen meditation, listening to bowls, to using an actual Samurai sword!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vishal_a
Aug 5, 2025
Absolutely wonderful... - Absolutely wonderful experience.. my 6 year old and I had a great time. Would recommend to everyone to do in Kyoto. The entire team there was very knowledgeable and the experience was very hands on!
Review provided by Viator
Navigate22408418748
Aug 4, 2025
Professional EN friendly - It was great in one word! Do, do, do. Very professional guidance EN friendly. Value for money. Small groups
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terence_m
Aug 3, 2025
Super cool; fantastic team working there! - When we booked this we figured this might be touristy but it turned out to be amazingly fun! The setting is an authentic Samurai house in Kyoto (I think it's been there 260+ years). The experience is split up into two parts - an inside meditation session and then a session outside with a real Samurai. Inside, we learned a bunch about Samurai history, how they lived in the very house we were in and how they would meditate before battles. Outside, we practiced a bit with fake swords and then got four attempts with a real sword. Our 14 and 18 year old kids loved it, as did we! Highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
From $122
up to 14 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).