Tokyo Asakusa: Samurai Sword Training & Museum Tour

Train with a Real Sword in Tokyo's Samurai District

You'll change into a hakama, learn Iaido sword techniques from an instructor using a real practice blade, take photos with swords in front of themed backdrops, and tour a samurai and ninja museum with a guide. The experience runs in small groups in Asakusa and includes all entry fees and costume. You just show up ready to train.

Step-by-step itinerary

Samurai sword experience and training

• Dress in traditional Samurai hakama
• Learn basic Iaido sword techniques

The experience

"So you actually get to hold the sword?" That's the first thing most people ask, and yeah. You do. Not a costume prop, not a wooden stick. An Iaito, which is a practice sword made from zinc-aluminum alloy, designed specifically for the Japanese martial art of Iaido. It looks almost identical to a real samurai blade, but it's non-sharpened and legal to train with, which is why this experience in Asakusa works at all. You start by changing into a traditional hakama (that's the pleated skirt-like pants samurai wore), and then an instructor walks you through the basic techniques. The precision is what gets you. It's not flashy or fast. It's about control, breathing, the exact angle of your draw.

The whole thing happens in central Asakusa, near the famous Senso-ji Temple, so you're not traveling far from the main tourist area. Groups stay small: the booking platform caps it at four people per booking, though the venue accepts other bookings too, so you might have more participants in the session. The instructor speaks English and doesn't rush you through the motions. After the hands-on training, you get time to pose with swords in front of samurai-themed backdrops for photos, which sounds cheesy until you see the shots. They actually look good. Then comes the museum tour, which is included. A guide takes you through displays about samurai history and ninja techniques, and it fills in the context for what you just did with the sword.

One thing to know: children under 10 can't enter the samurai training space, so this is really for older kids and adults. You also need at least a moderate level of fitness. Nothing extreme, but you're standing, moving, holding a sword for a couple of hours. The location is wheelchair accessible and there's public transport nearby, so getting there isn't complicated. The whole experience costs a fraction of what similar samurai training runs elsewhere in Tokyo, partly because it's in Asakusa rather than a more touristy area, and partly because they've streamlined it without cutting corners.

What’s included

• Your experience includes a traditional hakama costume, hands-on Iaido training with a skilled instructor using a practice sword, a photo session posing with swords in front of samurai-themed backdrops, entry to the samurai and ninja museum, and a guided tour of the museum exhibits.
• Everything is provided.
• You just need to arrive ready to train.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by Maikoya

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually handle a sword and learn samurai technique rather than just dress up for photos. The real training is what separates this from costume experiences, and the museum tour afterward gives you the history to understand what you just did.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children do this experience?

Children must be 10 years old or older to enter the samurai training venue. Younger children cannot participate.

Is the sword real?

It's an Iaito. A practice sword made from zinc-aluminum alloy that looks like a real samurai blade but is non-sharpened for safety. It's used in the martial art of Iaido and is legal to train with in Japan.

How many people are in a group?

Bookings are capped at 4 people, but the venue accepts other bookings too, so your actual group may be larger.

What's included in the price?

Hakama costume, hands-on Iaido training with an instructor, photo session with swords, museum entry, and a guided tour of the samurai and ninja museum.

Where is this located?

In Asakusa, Tokyo's historic district near Senso-ji Temple. Public transportation is nearby and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to be fit?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll be standing and moving while holding a sword for the training portion.

Is English spoken?

Yes, the instructor speaks English and guides you through the techniques.