Reviews
★★★★★
Rated 5.0 by 972 travelers worldwide
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Posted on Airbnb
Jana12 May 2025Verified
It was such an unique experience! Everything from putting on training gear, to training Kata in an operating Dojo, learning about Samurai history and cutting tatami with a real Katana felt so special and authentic. Yushin-sensei and Jordan were excellent, highly skilled and fun instructors. We would definitely recommend this experience, when coming to Kyoto. It's totally worth it!Posted on Airbnb
Claudia12 May 2025it was an amazing experience our sensei was super fun and with the help of jason they explained and teched everything in thoughtful jokes and storytelling. one great thing is that this is a real dojo with real sense, also you get to use real katanas and cut mats. my husband and I enjoyed it so much!!!Posted on Airbnb
Akash10 May 2025This is definitely a must do at Kyoto!Sensei Yushi and his team made the whole experience so authentic & pleasurable. Sensei Yushi’s alternation between English & Japanese gives the authentic feel to the presentation. Experience of handling the katana while being in the samurai apparel gives a whole new depth to this experience. Totally worth it!!Posted on Airbnb
Gregory10 May 2025By far my favorite experience since coming to Kyoto. Yushin Sensei is very kind and an excellent teacher. Jordan was great at explaining the history of the katana and was also a great instructor. Overall great staff. I felt like a Jedi the entire time lol.Will definitely do this again if I get the chance!Posted on Airbnb
Lawrence8 May 2025This experience was one of my favorites during my whole 14 day stay in Japan. Yushin sensei and Jordan were amazing teachers and patient with each student. Both were knowledgeable and made sure you understood why they were passionate in the style of Iai. Also a plus that both were fans of one piece! So for any anime lovers, go feel like zoro for a day! Thank you again sensei Yushin & Jordan for the fantastic experience.Posted on Airbnb
Boglárka8 May 2025Yushin sensei and Jordan (with nice British humour) gave a very nice lesson and demonstration how to use the katana. It is a once an a life time experience in a real dojo! Don't think about it, just book it, you won't regret!Posted on Airbnb
Andrea6 May 2025Such a great experience and highly recommend anyone who is travelling to Kyoto. Thank you Yushin Sensei, Jordan and Osayo, especially for your patience with teaching me! 😆Posted on Airbnb
Alan5 May 2025Yushin Sensei and Jordan were incredible. If you have any interest or desire to learn about the samurai arts and the role that the samurai played in shaping Japan into what it is today while utilizing legitimate weaponry from hundreds of years ago, this experience is for you. Incredibly kind and welcoming, Yushin Sensei and Jordan made this an amazingly fun experience that even my fiancé, who is the furthest thing from a weapon wielder, thoroughly enjoyed. It was quite a rush being able to hold a 250 year old katana that still cuts like a knife through butter. This is a legitimate dojo and is not just a simple tourist trap. It’s truly a dream come true for those who want to feel the weight and responsibility of wielding the greatest sword human kind has ever created. Thank you again Yushin Sensei and Jordan for the camaraderie and experience. If we are ever in Kyoto again, we will certainly be back.Posted on Airbnb
Jamie2 May 2025Incredible opportunity to learn, ask questions, dress up and use practise blades (steel) and then also cut mats with a real 250yo actual samurai sword.Posted on Airbnb
Stanislav2 May 2025Very happy I found this experience, as I had the chance to do actual training! Had a great time and would definitely recommend it!Load more
Posted on Tripadvisor
N K24 October 2026Verified
Just a cool experience!! This was one of the best experiences we did in Kyoto. It was really awesome to put on the training gear and get taught by the team. It was great value for money and highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor
Brenna H14 October 2026Highly Recommend! I’m really glad to have found this experience. It was a lot of fun, and they also provided good education, history, and wonderful demonstrations. Yushin-sensei is a true master of the art, and is a great teacher making sure each participant could follow along and is very encouraging. Jordan also is a very good teacher making sure everyone understands before moving on, and Ken is pleasant and helpful. I would be glad to return in the future! ありがとうございました！Posted on Tripadvisor
Alex P21 September 2026Definitely worth the time and money Great experience. A little intimidating at first, but everyone there was so welcoming. They walk you through everything, you get to train for a bit, you get to learn some history, and you get to watch people who are excellent. Jordan and Ken were very helpful in getting things organized. Jordan especially with the translation from Japanese to English. Sensei Yushin was phenomenal. Not only extremely skilled, but so friendly and a great teacher. Highly recommend this experience to anyone, especially if you are on the fence about doing it.Posted on Tripadvisor
Tim V18 September 2026An authentic, interesting and memorable experience. A fantastic and authentic experience - to be in Sensei Yushin’s presence and company was an honour. His instruction was clear, concise and he took the time to ensure we were executing our moves correctly. The program stats with Jordan, who did an amazing effort (in English) to walk and demonstrate to us the opening specific moves - and also translate Sensei Yushin’s direction. Finally, a shout out to Ken too! Bravo to all! A highlight of my trip to Japan. I highlights recommend!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Nick W15 September 2026A wonderful samurai experience Taught in a working dojo and it was legitimate and inspirational. Only 3 people get taught at a time, so book early. You get dressed in the samurai garb and are taught by a sensai who has practiced this graceful art for many years. He takes you through step by step until you can do a small part and feel quite chuffed with your self. They video you on your phone and allow photos with no extra charge. A must do if you are ever in Kyoto.Posted on Tripadvisor
Connector480004928215 August 2026Erg leuke ervaring Het was een geweldige ervaring en heel erg leuk.Posted on Tripadvisor
riff-raffkind21 July 2026Don't miss this experience! One of the highlights of our trip! Top notch experience for the whole family: we had 20 year olds up to retirees and everyone in our group had a terrific experience and learned a lot! This is done in an actual DOJO and the teachers are excellent - plus so much fun!!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Nieves G24 June 2026Acercamiento a la tradición Samurai Muy divertido y disfrutamos mucho. Un dojo real, un experiencia única.Posted on TripadvisorCaden S4 June 2026Very fun and overall good It was very fun learning doing and seeing it all happen, and it was overall a great experience.Posted on Tripadvisor
Osvaldo D28 May 2026Loved this experience!!!! Glad to have booked it!! Please do this! I promise this is absolutely worth it!Load more
