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Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto

Top rated
4.8
Activity provider: Kendo Experience
Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto
Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto 2
Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto 3
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2-hour tour in Kyoto, including Instruction and Uniform rental. Run by Kendo Experience, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Runs 2 hours
  • Instruction
  • Uniform rental
  • Equipment rental
  • Shoe rental
  • Gear rental

Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto: Key Facts

PriceFrom $133.5 per person
Duration2 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 2-hour experience in Kyoto. It is run by Kendo Experience, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.

Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years until 1868 and has 17 UNESCO-listed sites among some 2,000 temples and shrines. The big three are Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, covered in gold leaf and best in morning light; Kiyomizu-dera, the wooden stage on the eastern hills with the Higashiyama lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka below it; and Fushimi Inari's gates. Nijo Castle has the nightingale floors that squeak against intruders, and Ryoan-ji the rock garden. Temples open around 8:00 or 9:00 and close at 17:00, and the city bus is slow; a day with a driver or a guide who orders the stops against the crowds is the difference between four sights and seven.

The price covers Instruction, Uniform rental, Equipment rental, Shoe rental and Gear rental. It does not cover Replica swords, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

Kendo Experience sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Kendo Experience before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Includes

  • Instruction
  • Uniform rental
  • Equipment rental
  • Shoe rental
  • Gear rental

Excludes

  • Replica swords (available for purchase)

Important information

Meeting point

Kendo Experience sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $133.5
$133.5
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

4.8/5
based on 1183 reviews
Guide
4.9/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
S
Stacy
September 14, 2026

My whole family (hubby and mid 20s adult children) had an amazing experience. Everyone said it has been the highlight of the trip so far!! The studio is accommodating, friendly, and helpful. The experience is timed well - we never felt rushed and we never felt like it was dragging. Worth every penny paid!

Review photo 1Review photo 2
5
T
Tierra
September 10, 2026

I had an amazing time. The instructor was funny, informative and knowledgeable. I learned a lot and it was such a great experience

Review photo 1
5
D
Danny
September 2, 2026

amazing experience. the owners of the kendo experience were great fun and really knowledgeable. it was great fun learning about samurai and kendo and having a chance to practice in the equipment. would highly recommend this if you have a couple of hours to kill

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
D
Daniel
September 11, 2026

Activity was really fun and engaging, we were very happy with how it went!

5
L
Lissette
September 8, 2026

Spectacular teachers, really fun time and very educational

5
M
Marius
September 6, 2026

Amazing experience, highly recommended for people who want to experience Kendo firsthand.

5
P
Peter
September 2, 2026

Machi and Kahi were excellent presenters of Kendo and some Samurai history. The sparring was a fun taste of the sports as well

5
F
Fadi
August 16, 2026

It was great experience both for us and for our teenage kids, we learned a lot about samurai and Japanese cultur, our instructor Taka was great and very funny Highly recommended

5
M
Meike
August 12, 2026

Great fun for the family. All learned a lot and enjoyed experiencing with the uniform, armour and training swords. Highly recommended, also with teenagers

5
A
Adrian
August 6, 2026

Kendo is an art form. Me and my two daughters made the trek from Osaka to attend the class. One daughter was given an unforgettable nickname “Wasabi” by the sensei/teacher. We enjoyed the quiet suburban setting where the class is held. The class is serious, informative, and entertaining. You also learn that Kendo is an art practiced over lifetimes. Getting in the gear, learning technique. Sparring for 5 minutes trying desperately not to get confused, or overwhelmed was very enjoyable. Doing it with my daughters was an incredible memory. We all loved it!! A tip while in the class…listen with bo

5
S
Sam
August 3, 2026

Taka was phenomenal! He was very knowledgeable about his craft and skills as a Kendo/Kenshi. Super respectful and have an infectious smile. I would recommend!

5
A
Alaya
August 16, 2026

We had an amazing time! Definitely recommend coming while you’re in Kyoto

Frequently Asked Questions

Kendo Experience sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
The price does not cover replica swords (available for purchase). Everything it does cover is listed in full on this page, so if something is not on that list, budget for it separately.
Yes with instruction, which is included; practice is with wooden or blunted swords and live-blade cutting is for adults only. Most classes take children from about six with a parent present. Wear clothes you can move in.
We confirm your booking with the operator before we treat it as final, and we need at least one day's notice. Once it is confirmed you get the meeting point, the time and a contact number for the day. If the operator cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Instruction, Uniform rental, Equipment rental, Shoe rental, Gear rental
The duration of the Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto is typically 2 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Late March to early April for cherry blossom, or mid-to-late November for peak autumn foliage. Kyoto sits in a basin and runs hotter in summer and colder in winter than Tokyo, even at a similar latitude. Full month-by-month figures are in our best time to visit Kyoto guide.
Kyoto never built an extensive subway — just two lines (Karasuma and Tozai) — so the city bus network does most of the work, especially for Higashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkakuji. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are best reached by JR rail instead. See getting around Kyoto.
Three days covers the essentials well: a day for Higashiyama and Gion, a day for Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, and a day for Fushimi Inari plus a Nara or Uji day trip. Our 3-day Kyoto itinerary has the full route with timing.
Arrive by 6:30-7am — the shrine is open 24/7 and free, and most visitors only walk the first 20-30 minutes anyway. Past that point the crowds thin out fast. Full hike details in our Fushimi Inari guide.
Yes — it's a public path with no entrance fee and no set hours. The trade-off is that it gets shoulder-to-shoulder by mid-morning; arrive before 8am for a nearly empty walk. See the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest guide.
Kyoto restricts photography on certain private alleys in Gion after complaints about tourists chasing and blocking geiko and maiko, with fines for violators. Public streets like Hanamikoji-dori remain open, but never chase, touch or block a real geiko/maiko anywhere. Full etiquette in our Gion geisha district guide.
Yudofu (simmered tofu, best near Nanzen-ji or Arashiyama), kaiseki and shojin ryori temple cuisine, and Nishiki Market's stalls of tako tamago and fresh yuba. Uji, just south of the city, is one of Japan's top matcha-growing regions. See the Kyoto food guide.
Starting from$133.5