SAMURAI & NINJA SESSIONS IN TOKYO · Japan
The good samurai & ninja sessions in Tokyo fill weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
A 90-minute Samurai Restaurant show in Shinjuku with two drinks, neon effects, and up-close samurai-and-ninja entertainment for 18+ Tokyo nights.
“I really enjoyed the show. The energy was unmatched.”
Guided Samurai and Ninja Museum tour in Tokyo with an English guide, real armor exhibits, shuriken throwing, and samurai dress up for $27.
“Nami our guide was fantastic and shared lots of information on samurai and ninjas and life in japan. throwing shiruken and dressing as a samurai was an added bonus.”
Train in a real Tokyo dojo with Yoshioki Sumida, learning iai sword forms, target cutting, and Japanese horseback archery at Machida.
“This is by far one of my favorite experiences I have done, in Japan and in general! I love martial arts, and learning from a true samurai descendant seemed like an amazing opportunity. Though it was a bit expensive, my boyfriend and I are so glad we did it! We are from the US, and our Japanese is not great, but he spoke basic English for us, and always made sure we understood what was going on. He explained things in detail, gave examples, and helped us correct things kindly. He was exact about what needed to be done for safety and proper form, but never harsh. In general, you…”
Ninja+Kabuki Tokyo in Shinjuku blends taiko drums, swordplay, and wordless Kabuki acting for an 80-minute night out.
“It was an enjoyable show. There was fun audience participation at the end. A free drink was a nice bonus.”
Skip-the-line basic ticket to Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo with an English guide, costume dress-up, tea ritual, and shuriken games.
“Formal Assessment of Activity Discrepancies During the recent visit, the scheduled activities and stated agenda were not fully executed. The only component of the "ninja experience" that was completed was shuriken throwing. FurthermorRead more”
Dress in kimono, learn safe katana basics, then chambara sword-fight to music in an Edo-style dojo at Samurai Theater Tokyo. 1 hour.
“A wonderful, funny battle experience. Choosing your own kimono, being taught all the different styles and safety of wielding a katana. All the staff were great! Would recommend to anyone.”
A Tokyo night at Kanda Myojin with chicken hot pot, unlimited drinks option, and a high-energy samurai show plus photos.
“Well here we are again. This is my seventh time to visit this show and I mean the number already tells everything I guess. I would visit this show every week if I could. Amazing acting, sound effects, choreography and music makes this the best samurai show in town. I love all the characters and how cool they are. My favorite story is the Spiderwoman and the Butterfly, the Black Fox and obviously Tairo no Masakado story. You can take pictures with the actors after the show and talk to them. This a must see thing in Tokio !!!”
Catch a non-verbal Ninja Kabuki show in Shinjuku, with wadaiko drums, ninja humor, and audience interaction. 80 minutes, $29.
“Guides in Japan are often difficult to understand in English and ours was easy.”
Dress in a hakama, learn iaido with safe replicas, then tour the Samurai and Ninja Museum in Asakusa for a hands-on samurai feel.
“Ryo-sensei taught our group a kata and then had us fight each other with foam swords. Had a blast and would love to learn more about swordsmanship!”
Katana basics and ninja shuriken practice in Asakusa. Suit up in hakama and armor, tour the museum, and capture warrior photos.
“The space is a bit small but the guide was fantastic and walked us through the history of Samurai and Ninja cultures in Japan. We also met a 22nd generation Samurai who gave us an amazing hour long training routine. My son enjoyed it so much!”
Small-group ninja and samurai lesson in Tokyo: Kuji-In meditation, shuriken and blow darts, sword drawing practice, in 2 hours.
“The samurai and ninja training class was definitely on of the highlights of our trip. Our instructor was patient, knowledgeable and made the class really fun for all of us. From the minute we walked in to the minute we left, it was an engaging experience.”
Tokyo kendo class with full bogu armor, English instruction, and a tournament-style sparring game. Learn etiquette and moves in 2 hours.
“Excellent experience in every way. Pickup at the train station was easy. The teachers were extremely knowledge. It was a memorable way to spend a few hours in Tokyo. It’s a short walk to shrines/food stalls so you can really make a day of it”
Pick the kind of day first. The tour comes second.
