Samurai Sword Fighting Class in Kyoto: Film Your Own Scene

Learn Real Sword Moves, Then Star in Your Own Period Drama

A samurai sword fighting class at Myokaku-ji Temple in Kyoto where you learn authentic techniques from a professional samurai actor, dress in traditional hakama, and film your own action scene on temple grounds. The session runs about 70 minutes, includes costume rental and professional filming, and you keep all photos and videos shot with your own camera or theirs. English-speaking instruction is provided, and the atmosphere is relaxed even if you've never acted before.

The Experience

You'll start by dressing in traditional hakama at Myokaku-ji Temple, a historic Nichiren sect temple where the warlord Oda Nobunaga once walked. The samurai actor teaching the class works through real sword techniques with you—not choreography for show, but the actual movements used in samurai training. You practice these moves in the temple's scenic grounds, learning how to hold the blade, how weight transfers through a strike, what balance feels like when you're holding steel. The whole class is built around making you comfortable whether you're naturally confident in front of a camera or you'd rather not be; the actor and crew keep the energy low-key and supportive.

Once you've got the basics down, the actor films you performing your own action scene. He positions himself to catch your best angles—the swing, the stance, the moment the blade catches the light. You can also shoot as much as you want on your own camera or phone at the same time. All the footage gets downloaded to you afterward, so you leave with the full edit of yourself as the star of a samurai period drama. If weather turns bad, the session moves indoors to a dojo so the class still happens either way.

What’s included

• Traditional hakama costume rental.
• professional filming of your action scene with footage provided to you afterward.
• indemnity insurance.
• photography and video recording with your own camera.
• English-speaking instruction from the samurai actor.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by GOATtrip

Is this one for you?The 70-minute session leaves room for other activities earlier or later in your day, so you can combine it with temple visits or other Kyoto stops without committing to a full afternoon. If you're traveling with children, they're welcome from age 6 onward, making this a rare hands-on samurai experience that works for families.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

133 verified traveler reviews

5 ★133

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly do I learn in the sword fighting part of this class?

You learn authentic samurai sword techniques directly from the professional actor leading the session—real movements and stances, not movie choreography. The instruction covers how to hold the blade, how to execute strikes with proper weight and balance, and the footwork that goes with each move. You practice these in the temple grounds during the first part of the session before filming begins.

Do I get to keep the video and photos from the filming?

Yes. The professional actor films your action scene and you receive all that footage afterward. You can also shoot as many photos and videos as you want on your own camera or phone during the session, and you keep those too. Everything shot during your time there goes home with you.

How long does the whole experience take?

The session runs about 70 minutes from start to finish—that includes getting into costume, learning the sword techniques, and filming your action scene. It's short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating up your whole day in Kyoto.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day I'm scheduled?

If rain or weather makes it unsafe to film in the temple grounds, the entire session moves indoors to a dojo. You still learn the same sword techniques and film your scene; the location just shifts to keep everyone safe.

Is this class suitable for someone who's never acted before?

Yes. The experience is designed for people of all backgrounds, including those who feel shy or uncomfortable being filmed. The actor and crew create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, and there's no acting experience required—you're learning sword moves and then performing them, not delivering lines or playing a character.

What should I wear, and do I need to bring anything?

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in; you'll change into traditional hakama costume provided at the temple. Bring your own camera or phone if you want to shoot additional photos and videos during the session. Public transportation options are available near Myokaku-ji Temple if you need them to get there.