1h30

Instant confirmation

About this activity

Make your way to the Samurai Kembu Kyoto dojo, conveniently located in downtown Kyoto, where you’ll meet your instructor for a 1-hour or 1hour30 lesson in the traditional art of Kembu.

Start by watching a three-minute film that introduces you to the general concepts of the samurai, a warrior class that ruled Japan from the 12th to 19th century. After further orientation from your instructor, you’ll put on Japanese-style socks, tie a white belt and receive a sword to be used during your lesson.

After you learn to bow, you’re shown how to draw the curved samurai sword and replace it in the scabbard. Once you’ve mastered this difficult technique, practice ways to strike the sword to make a cutting sound.

Take a break from your samurai training to change into a costume of your choice and enjoy a photo session. Then continue wielding your sword as a samurai would against his opponent during more practice.

If you selected the 1-hour lesson, take a bow to end your session. Before departing the dojo, you will receive a certificate of completion and photos that were taken on-site.

Optional Upgrade: 1hour30 Lesson

If you booked a 1hour30 lesson, continue to learn stylized movements of the samurai, including how to walk and how to use the folding fan if you wish. Complete your session with some challenging Kembu choreography, which you will perform with your sword on stage, accompanied by a poem and music.

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Included

English-speaking local guide/instructor
Photo shoot
Tenugui towel (Japanese traditional towel)
Lesson completion certificate

Not included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 5 years
Please wear clothes suited for exercise and moving around

Features

Tourism

90%

Adrenaline

45%

Cultural

45%

Reviews

4.9

46

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Nathan W

5 | 2019-09-30

My husband and I did the 1 hour Kembu Samurai class and it was so much fun. Learning about the history with a 4 minute video and then the basic katana strikes set us up for the last process which was a choregraphed sequence of moves all dressed up in our samurai costumes(which you get to choose).Eiki our instructor was very professional and made the class comfortable with a lot of laughs as well. We also had opportunities to take photos. Overall this class is a must, easy to get to on the train and its for everyone to participate in. Loved it!

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boydwc

5 | 2019-05-08

Great instructor and really super experience to learn Samuari sword movements. Recommend this experience for anyone interested in JAPANESE culture, We had a great time and want to repeat again in the future but ONLY with this school!!

C

Christine H

5 | 2018-10-09

Now for something completely different...! A fun 90 minutes and great pics to last a lifetime. Highly recommend.

A

Agnes N

5 | 2018-04-02

It was great! I went with my 10 year old nephew and we had so much fun! They were fantastic and there was a lot of time to take pictures as well! Thanks

A

Anatoly N

5 | 2017-09-06

I was so impressed and pleased by my samurai sword-training lesson. What a wonderful experience! What made it so special and memorable is that the teacher didn't treat us as if we were merely tourists, but rather actual samurai in training! Even the swords we practiced with were real. The teacher was patient, enthusiastic, highly skilled and spoke very good English. A memorable and fulfilling experience; I would recommend at least a 2-hour training session to anyone interested in traditional Japanese culture, swordsmanship, or the vanished world of the samurai.

Collections This experience is part of these collections

Collections

Samurai 10 Activities

Samurai School in Kyoto: Samurai for a Day

Kyoto

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