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Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator

Top rated
5.0
Activity provider: Kendo Spirit
Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator
Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator 2
Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator 3
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2-hour tour in Tokyo, including 2-hour Kendo Experience and Kendo attire. Run by Kendo Spirit, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Runs 2 hours
  • 2-hour Kendo Experience
  • Kendo attire
  • Bamboo sword (shinai)
  • Drinks
  • Souvenirs

Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator: Key Facts

PriceFrom $150.5 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 Tokyo. It is run by Kendo Spirit, 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.

Tokyo is the largest city on earth by metropolitan population and it is best seen as a set of neighbourhoods on the Yamanote loop line rather than one place. Asakusa has Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, and Nakamise's shopping lane; Shibuya has the scramble crossing and Shinjuku the bars of Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho; Harajuku is Takeshita Street and Meiji Shrine's forest; Akihabara is electronics and anime; Ginza is department stores and sushi counters. Everything runs on time and the last trains are around midnight. Cash still matters in small restaurants, an IC card covers every train and bus, and tipping is not done anywhere.

The price covers 2-hour Kendo Experience, Kendo attire, Bamboo sword, Drinks and Souvenirs. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

Kendo Spirit 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 Spirit before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Includes

  • 2-hour Kendo Experience
  • Kendo attire
  • Bamboo sword (shinai)
  • Drinks
  • Souvenirs

Important information

Meeting point

Kendo Spirit 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 $150.5
$150.5
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

5/5
based on 81 reviews
Guide
5/5
Value for money
4.9/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
S
Stacy
June 4, 2026

Daichi did an amazing job going over the history of kendo and the instruction. My family had a wonderful time learning the way of the sword. Our Kendo experience has been a highlight of our travel to Japan!

Review photo 1
5
K
Kai
December 1, 2025

I had a lot of fun and learned a lot being immersed in Kendo. The instructors put a lot of attention into this class.

Review photo 1Review photo 2
5
P
Paulina
December 1, 2025

We had a great time! I learned so much about kendo, and we really enjoyed trying different techniques. It was a fun and memorable experience — highly recommended! 😊

Review photo 1
5
E
Ekin
May 20, 2026

This was definitely one of the highlights of my Japan trip. We learned about the history of Kendo and studied not only the techniques but also the spirit. Our instructor was amazing and I left feeling energized and inspired. 10/10 - highly recommended

5
J
Jesse
April 20, 2026

I had a fun time learning the history and teachings of kendo. Getting geared up was a bit difficult but I was helped and had an amazing experience being the only student that day. I had the time of my life playing around with the Shinai (bamboo sword) and getting to do practice matches with the instructor. Of course I was no match against someone with 20 years experience but the point of Kendo or rather any sport is not to win but to grow as a person

5
M
Mateusz
April 15, 2026

Fulfilling my childhood dreams! The sensei introduced us to Eastern martial arts, taught us the principles, and gave us the opportunity to apply what we had learned in a real fight. All of this with a good dose of humor. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to step off the beaten path during their stay in Japan.

5
J
James
March 4, 2026

Daichi and Makoto were excellent guides throughout. the entire activity was great from learning the basics and history of Kendo to practicing with the practice swords. It taught me I have to get more nimble with my footwork in general as I could feel very stiff during the practice. The photo's were nice and they didn't feel intrusive during the lessons. If you want to get a taste of Kendo culture this is an excellent place to try it out. Arigato Gozaimasu.

5
A
Anthony
December 25, 2025

Great experience, the instructors were fantastic and everything was provided. No need to bring anything, learned as ton and had fun too! Arigato!

5
K
Klajdi
November 13, 2025

A really well-organized activity and a great opportunity to learn more about the true purpose of Kendo, as well as practice it firsthand. Excellent job by the whole team and the master, Daichi-san. Thanks for teaching us the basics of Kendo 🙌🏻

5
w
what
October 29, 2025

From the hands on experience to the history of kendo, you get everything you might want. I highly recommend this very gun and professional class

5
J
Jacob
October 13, 2025

I loved the Kendo teachings and how well everything was explained. It was meant for everyone to have fun and learn a new culture correctly. Wouldn’t change a thing! Had such a good time learning how to swing a sword properly and master my inner strength.

5
A
Andrea
October 3, 2025

An activity that provides the fundamentals of Kendo, from its history to mastering its three core elements, followed by practical a pplication with great instructor. be reapectful and punctual

Frequently Asked Questions

Kendo Spirit sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
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.
2-hour Kendo Experience, Kendo attire, Bamboo sword (shinai), Drinks, Souvenirs
The duration of the Samurai Experience - Learn Bushido through Kendo, in Tokyo by Local Operator 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 late October to early December for autumn colour and the clearest skies. Contrary to most advice, October is Tokyo's wettest month (234.8 mm), not the June rainy season. Full month-by-month figures are in our best time to visit Tokyo guide.
Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card and budget ¥1,000–¥1,400 a day. Do not buy a JR Pass for a Tokyo-only trip — it costs ¥50,000 and excludes Tokyo Metro and Toei entirely. Note JR East raised Tokyo fares on 14 March 2026, so Metro is now cheaper than JR on several routes. See getting around Tokyo.
Shibuya Sky releases tickets only 14 days ahead at 00:00 JST — it cannot be booked months in advance. teamLab Borderless tickets drop at 12:00 JST on the 1st of each month. Our 3-day Tokyo itinerary lists every booking deadline.
Yes — a Japanese licence or an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. 1968 Vienna Convention permits are not valid in Japan. Licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan need an official JAF translation instead. Arrange it before you fly; see the Tokyo go-kart guide.
Yes — the highway bus from Busta Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko takes about 1h 45m for ¥2,200. But manage expectations: Fuji is visible on 84% of December mornings and only 23% of July mornings, and cloud builds through the day, so go early. Details in our Mount Fuji day trip guide.
Edomae sushi (the Tokyo Bay style, where curing began as a workaround for having no refrigeration), monjayaki — a runny griddle dish unique to Tokyo with 80+ specialists on Tsukishima's Monja Street — and soba. Also worth knowing: Tsukiji Outer Market never closed; only the wholesale auction moved to Toyosu. See the Tokyo food guide.
The crossing itself takes about ninety seconds. What makes it worth an evening is one street back — Nonbei Yokocho, a lantern-lit alley of tiny bars a minute away that almost nobody who photographs the scramble walks into. Note street drinking is banned in the area 18:00–05:00 year-round, though the ordinance carries no fine. See the Shibuya Crossing guide.
Yes, some. Japan's cashless ratio reached 58% in 2025, so over 40% of payments are still cash — and card refusal is most likely at small independent izakaya, ramen ticket machines and market stalls. Tipping is not expected anywhere.
Starting from$150.5