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Official Booking · Yushinkan Kyoto
Book Samurai Training in Kyoto — Official Direct Booking
Every price, session length, group size, schedule and cancellation term for samurai training at Yushinkan Kyoto, on one page. This is the dojo’s own booking page. The prices here are our official prices, in Japanese yen — you never pay more by booking direct.
Prices & Programs
What it costs, and what you get.
All prices are per person unless stated, in Japanese yen, tax included. Training attire, a traditional iaito and all equipment are included in every program — there is nothing to buy or rent on the day.
| Samurai TrainingThe introduction | One-Day Dojo StudentGo deeper | Private LessonYour group only | VIPBespoke | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ¥20,000 per person |
¥30,000 per person |
¥120,000 per group, up to 4 guests +¥30,000 per extra guest |
By inquiry |
| Duration | 90 minutes of training (total visit about 2 hours) |
3 hours (about 2 hours on the floor) |
90 minutes of training (total visit about 2 hours) |
2–3 hours |
| Group size | Up to 9 guests (shared session) |
Maximum 3 guests | Up to 4 guests (private — no other guests) |
Private |
| On the floor | One foundation kata, then a personal exam with the master | Foundation kata plus drawing, striking and blocking forms, beside the dojo’s own students | The same as the 90-minute training — kata and exam | Fully tailored |
| History | A short lesson | A full history & lineage seminar | A short lesson | Bespoke |
| Master’s demonstration | Two-sword nito and live tameshigiri | Two-sword nito, up close | Two-sword nito and live tameshigiri | Private demonstration |
| Best for | A first encounter, families, limited time | Real practice, returning guests | Families with children, private groups | Collectors, special occasions |
| Book | Details → | Details → | Details → | Enquire → |
Optional add-on
- Samurai Armor Experience — ¥10,000 per person. Add a full suit of Japan-made samurai armor to your training: wear it and feel its real weight.
Can’t come to Kyoto?
- Yushin-Ryu Online Lessons — live every Friday 22:00–23:00 JST via Patreon membership, with every lesson archived to rewatch. Details →
Direct vs. Marketplaces
You never pay more by booking direct.
You may also find our training listed on Viator and Airbnb Experiences. Those listings are genuine and they carry the same prices as this page. Some other resellers add their own margin on top, so they can cost more.
Why book on this page
The same official price, in yen. Our own listings on Viator and Airbnb Experiences are priced identically to this page — we do not undercut them and they do not undercut us. Other resellers who package our training add their own margin, so the same session can cost more there. Booking here, you pay our price in Japanese yen with no currency conversion markup.
You deal with the dojo directly. If you need to change your date, arrive with extra guests, ask about a child under 12, or request the armor add-on, you are speaking to us — not to a call centre that has to relay it.
Nothing is held back. Every program, including the One-Day Dojo Student, Private Lessons and VIP days, is bookable here. Marketplaces and resellers usually list only the 90-minute session.
How to Book
Three steps, about two minutes.
Choose your program
Pick from the table above. If you are new to the katana, the 90-minute Samurai Training is the right starting point. If you want real practice, choose the One-Day Dojo Student.
Pick a date and time
Open your program’s booking calendar below and choose a date, time and number of guests. Live availability is shown — if a slot appears, it is open.
Pay online and receive confirmation
Pay by card online. Your confirmation email arrives immediately, with the dojo address and directions. Nothing to pay on the day.
Schedule
When sessions run.
Session times
- Monday to Saturday
- 9:00–10:30 / 11:30–13:00 / 14:00–15:30 / 16:30–18:00
- Sunday
- 9:00–10:30 / 11:00–12:30 / 13:00–14:30 / 15:30–17:00
Times shown are Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). Live availability on the booking calendar above is always the authoritative source.
On the day
- Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before the start time — you may not be able to enter the building earlier.
- If you are more than 30 minutes late, the reservation is automatically cancelled.
- Come dressed comfortably. All training attire and equipment are provided.
- There is space for large suitcases, so you can come straight from your hotel.
Booking ahead
- Sessions are small and October is one of Kyoto’s busiest months — book as early as you can.
- The One-Day Dojo Student takes a maximum of three guests and fills first.
- Private and VIP arrangements should be requested at least two weeks ahead.
Cancellation Policy
Clear terms, stated plainly.
Cancelling
- More than 24 hours before the start time — full refund.
- Within 24 hours of the start time — non-refundable.
- Please contact us as early as you can if your plans change.
Changing your reservation
- A reservation cannot be changed within 24 hours of the start time. Inside that window it is treated as a cancellation and full payment is required.
- Outside 24 hours, contact us and we will move you to another slot where availability allows.
Lateness
- Arriving more than 30 minutes after the start time cancels the reservation automatically, and it is non-refundable.
- If you are running late, contact us immediately — we will do what we can.
Before You Book
Who can train, and what actually happens.
Who can take part
- Age 12 and over. For safety — it is difficult for children under 12 to handle a katana properly. For younger children, contact us and we may be able to arrange something.
- No experience needed. Most guests are complete beginners. Everything is taught from the beginning.
- All genders welcome. The dojo has more female trainees than male.
- English in every session. No Japanese required.
What is included
- Full authentic attire — Dōgi, Obi and Hakama, in multiple sizes and colours.
- A traditional iaito for your practice.
- A personal kata exam with Yushin-sensei.
- The master’s two-sword nito demonstration and live tameshigiri.
- A history lesson and photographs in samurai attire.
About the swords — please read
You practise with a traditional iaito, an unsharpened training sword built to the same shape and weight as a real Japanese katana. This is what you hold, draw and swing.
Authentic sharpened katana are presented for you to view and to feel the weight of, kept in the scabbard.
Live test cutting (tameshigiri) is performed by Yushin-sensei only, during his demonstration. Guests do not perform tameshigiri. Any description of this experience that says guests cut tatami targets with a live blade is incorrect.
Getting There
Central Kyoto, below street level.
Yushinkan Kyoto — Super Grand Bld. B1F, 452-4 Matsugaecho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8034, Japan.
Directions
2-minute walk from the Kawaramachi Sanjo bus stop.
About a 7-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station.
From the Kawaramachi Rokkaku intersection, walk west along Rokkaku Street for about 2 minutes. Look for the blue gate with the silver kamon family crest — this is the landmark. Go through the gate, down the stairs, and the dojo is on the basement level.
Booking FAQ
Questions people ask before booking.
How do I book samurai training at Yushinkan Kyoto?
Book directly on this page. Choose your program, pick a date and time on the booking calendar, and pay online. You receive an email confirmation immediately. For Private Lessons, VIP days, groups larger than the listed maximum, or children under 12, contact us instead and we will arrange it.
Is booking direct cheaper than Viator or Airbnb?
The price is the same. Our listings on Viator and Airbnb Experiences carry the same official prices as this page, so you never pay more by booking direct. Other resellers who package our training add their own margin and can be more expensive. Booking here you pay in Japanese yen with no currency conversion markup, and you deal with the dojo itself for any change of plan.
How much does the samurai experience in Kyoto cost?
Samurai Training is ¥20,000 per person for 90 minutes. One-Day Dojo Student is ¥30,000 per person for 3 hours. A Private Lesson is ¥120,000 per group of up to 4 guests, plus ¥30,000 per additional guest. VIP days are arranged by inquiry. All prices include tax and all equipment.
What is the cancellation policy?
Full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are non-refundable, and a reservation cannot be changed inside 24 hours. If you are more than 30 minutes late, the reservation is treated as cancelled.
Do guests cut tatami mats with a real sword?
No. Guests practise kata with a traditional iaito, an unsharpened training sword of the same shape and weight as a real katana. Authentic sharpened katana are presented for you to view and handle in the scabbard. Live test cutting, tameshigiri, is performed only by Yushin-sensei during his demonstration. Guests never perform tameshigiri.
Is English spoken, and do I need any experience?
English is spoken in every visitor session, so there is no language barrier. No martial arts experience is needed. Most guests are complete beginners and the master guides every movement step by step.
What is the minimum age?
Participants must be 12 or older. This is for safety, as it is difficult for children under 12 to handle a katana properly. For children under 12, please contact us and we may be able to make an arrangement.
Where is the dojo and how do I get there?
Super Grand Bld. B1F, 452-4 Matsugaecho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8034. It is a 2-minute walk from the Kawaramachi Sanjo bus stop and about a 7-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station. Look for the blue gate with the silver family crest, then take the stairs down to the dojo on the basement level.
Can I bring my luggage?
Yes. There is enough space for large suitcases, so you can come straight from your hotel.
Book Direct
Train where the master actually practises.
Ninety minutes in a working Kyoto dojo — from ¥20,000, in English, for complete beginners. Booked directly with the dojo, at our official price.