Samurai Training Experience Kendo In Osaka

An absolute highlight of our trip to Japan, what an amazing afternoon offering everything we had hoped for and more. We learnt some history about the great martial art form of kendo, tried on samurai gear and armour, practiced techniques for movement and striking and ended the session with some sparring. Toshi and the team were so welcoming and encouraging, as well as clearly passionate about kendo and it's cultural significance in Japan. We really appreciated the wonderful photos too, which allowed us to fully enjoy the experience and know that we would be able to look back on it afterwards. The dojo space was just like all the photos, really inspiring and very cool to see all the clothing and swords on display. We highly recommend this experience to anyone, we had such fun. Thankyou!!

Toshi-sensei and his very helpful colleagues immediately made me welcome at the session and provided a truly educational and fun experience learning about Kendo. Not only were they encouraging but also gave the session their all. I’d highly recommend this experience to any and all who may be thinking of trying Kendo!

This is a real gem of an experience. Toshi and Vicky are amazing hosts, with a passion for Kendo making this sport feel accessible and fun at the same time. Toshi is a wonderful instructor.

An absolutely outstanding two hours…loved it. Friendly, informative and fun. Perfect blend of history of Kendo, the etiquette and then the training and sparring. Very highly recommend doing this…my regret is that I’m a 56 year old, slightly overweight bloke so it’s probably too late to start my career in Kendo!!

Introduction: I went with my 11 year old daughter and 17 year old son. I’m 50 years old. With a gender and an age gap, it is difficult to find an event that would engage everybody. However, this did the job and more. Staff were brilliant in empowering my shy daughter into participating and she even became confident enough to fight in a little competition in the end. While they also harnessed my son’s hyper activity into something healthy and sporting. Location: The venue is situated through a few back lanes that offer a nice insight into day to day Osaka life. At no point did it feel unsafe. The venue itself is relatively modern but the way it was decorated with the real and the replicas of samurai and kendo history gave a real sense of history and ambience. There are photographs showing the legacy of the club. There is an upstairs for male and female changing rooms where you are given shorts and t shirt to borrow and wear underneath the armour. You are also provided with body wipes for afterwards. It was spotlessly clean and everything was well maintained. Staff: We were met by the instructor-Toshi, who was extremely friendly approachable and funny, while maintaining the authority of an instructor. The instruction was in clear English. For when there were one or two words lost in translation, there was an absolutely lovely lady who acted as a translator. As part of her role, she also provided an input of the samurai history and how it links the kendo. She also assisted in taking photographs of the experience. The third and final member was the quiet and deadly female assistant instructor. All were extremely kind and patient with the bumbling tourists. Experience: The event was 2hrs long. You start by getting dressed in the traditional kendo uniform (without armour) then provided with a ten minute input of the history. You are shown a laminated flip picture book to refer to as the history is given. This was the perfect length of time and level of detail. Enough to get an idea and appreciation of kendo / and not too much that it drowns your brain in facts. You get to pose for a few photos in your uniform and even given a few accessories to make you look even more samurai cool! Next you are taught etiquette and some basic techniques and how to score in kendo. You then put the armour on which is comfortable and light. I was concerned that the head guard maybe a bit claustrophobic - but you can clearly see outside through the grill. In the last half hour you are asked if you are happy to have a little friendly match. One person in our general group sat out (without pressure or judgement) while the rest cracked on. We seemed to be kept in our family groups and/or fight the instructor rather than fight against other visitors. The rounds are short but you find yourself breathing heavy, partly because of the armour you wear but I wasn’t at the point of being out of breath though. The armour did its job with 0 pain despite some pretty descent whacks from my teenager. Summary: All of my family loved this experience so much. It was fun as well as informative. It was lovely to see my daughter’s confidence grow to the point she was shouting the warrior cry and scoring some points on her brother. Me and my son really enjoyed it too and we got a bit competitive with each other! In the evening we were sent pictures of the day and videos of the matches. I was expecting to have to pay a ridiculous price for one and was a bit gutted that it was a tourist gimmick. HOWEVER, I found that the pictures were free and part of the experience! (Please don’t change this) They had came out really well and for the first time, made this old man look relatively cool in the eyes of his children! …relatively. I can honestly say that this was one of the best experiences that I have had with my children and don’t have anything negative or constructive to say. Absolutely fantastic.

Introduction: I went with my 11 year old daughter and 17 year old son. I’m 50 years old. With a gender and an age gap, it is difficult to find an event that would engage everybody. However, this did the job and more. Staff were brilliant in empowering my shy daughter into participating and she even became confident enough to fight in a little competition in the end. While they also harnessed my son’s hyper activity into something healthy and sporting. Location: The venue is situated through a few back lanes that offer a nice insight into day to day Osaka life. At no point did it feel unsafe. The venue itself is relatively modern but the way it was decorated with the real and the replicas of samurai and kendo history gave a real sense of history and ambience. There are photographs showing the legacy of the club. There is an upstairs for male and female changing rooms where you are given shorts and t shirt to borrow and wear underneath the armour. You are also provided with body wipes for afterwards. It was spotlessly clean and everything was well maintained. Staff: We were met by the instructor-Toshi, who was extremely friendly approachable and funny, while maintaining the authority of an instructor. The instruction was in clear English. For when there were one or two words lost in translation, there was an absolutely lovely lady who acted as a translator. As part of her role, she also provided an input of the samurai history and how it links the kendo. She also assisted in taking photographs of the experience. The third and final member was the quiet and deadly female assistant instructor. All were extremely kind and patient with the bumbling tourists. Experience: The event was 2hrs long. You start by getting dressed in the traditional kendo uniform (without armour) then provided with a ten minute input of the history. You are shown a laminated flip picture book to refer to as the history is given. This was the perfect length of time and level of detail. Enough to get an idea and appreciation of kendo / and not too much that it drowns your brain in facts. You get to pose for a few photos in your uniform and even given a few accessories to make you look even more samurai cool! Next you are taught etiquette and some basic techniques and how to score in kendo. You then put the armour on which is comfortable and light. I was concerned that the head guard maybe a bit claustrophobic - but you can clearly see outside through the grill. In the last half hour you are asked if you are happy to have a little friendly match. One person in our general group sat out (without pressure or judgement) while the rest cracked on. We seemed to be kept in our family groups and/or fight the instructor rather than fight against other visitors. The rounds are short but you find yourself breathing heavy, partly because of the armour you wear but I wasn’t at the point of being out of breath though. The armour did its job with 0 pain despite some pretty descent whacks from my teenager. Summary: All of my family loved this experience so much. It was fun as well as informative. It was lovely to see my daughter’s confidence grow to the point she was shouting the warrior cry and scoring some points on her brother. Me and my son really enjoyed it too and we got a bit competitive with each other! In the evening we were sent pictures of the day and videos of the matches. I was expecting to have to pay a ridiculous price for one and was a bit gutted that it was a tourist gimmick. HOWEVER, I found that the pictures were free and part of the experience! (Please don’t change this) They had came out really well and for the first time, made this old man look relatively cool in the eyes of his children! …relatively. I can honestly say that this was one of the best experiences that I have had with my children and don’t have anything negative or constructive to say. Absolutely fantastic.

Super experience- don't miss it Toshi and his wife were excellent hosts and he is an amazing and patient teacher Well worth doing - great fun

My wife & I had the best time learning about and trying our hand at Kendo today. Kumiko & Toshi were wonderful hosts! We learned about Kendo's history, etiquette, and the basic moves for attacking and defending while wearing the full clothing and armour, as well as the correct way to handle the bamboo swords (shinai). After practising the techniques, we had sparring matches with each other, and even got the opportunity to spar with Toshi! All the while, Kumiko was taking photos and video of us! We also got our timing completely wrong this morning and would have missed the start if not for Kumiko & Toshi’s kindness. I messaged Toshi and he was incredibly accommodating- as there was space in the afternoon session, he let us switch at the last minute. Thank you for being so flexible and kind! We highly recommend this to anyone visiting Osaka. Extremely knowledgable and fun hosts, hands-on learning, and lots of laughs. Arigatou gozaimashita.

My wife & I had the best time learning about and trying our hand at Kendo today. Kumiko & Toshi were wonderful hosts! We learned about Kendo's history, etiquette, and the basic moves for attacking and defending while wearing the full clothing and armour, as well as the correct way to handle the bamboo swords (shinai). After practising the techniques, we had sparring matches with each other, and even got the opportunity to spar with Toshi! All the while, Kumiko was taking photos and video of us! We also got our timing completely wrong this morning and would have missed the start if not for Kumiko & Toshi’s kindness. I messaged Toshi and he was incredibly accommodating- as there was space in the afternoon session, he let us switch at the last minute. Thank you for being so flexible and kind! We highly recommend this to anyone visiting Osaka. Extremely knowledgable and fun hosts, hands-on learning, and lots of laughs. Arigatou gozaimashita.

It was an absolutely amazing experience! My 11 year old twin boys had so much fun. We learned about Japanese culture and traditions and respect. I loved how we get to put on full gear, and actually get to fight! Instructions were clear and easy to understand. Everything was photographed and filmed which is perfect for remembering this unique experience!

Such an amazing and memorable experience! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed. We started with photos in traditional samurai attire, followed by a fascinating history lesson about the samurai and the martial art we were learning. Master Toshi was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and engaging. As a former champion himself, he made the experience both educational and fun! I’m not athletic and have no sports background, while my partner has martial arts experience, yet Master Toshi made sure we both felt comfortable, included, and challenged at our own levels. He was also very attentive, providing plenty of water breaks and checking on everyone throughout the class. I highly recommend this experience to anyone, regardless of skill level! It was the perfect mix of Japanese history, culture, and hands-on fun. Thank you, Master Toshi!

This was an amazing time. My husband did the training. It was structured to be a good fit for kids, adults, and families. It was very interactive and the instructors were fun, knowledgeable, patient, and full of energy. I would recommend this to everyone visiting Osaka!

As someone who has practised karate for many years and has a great interest in samurai history, I was really looking forward to this experience. And I absolutely LOVED it! Toshi-sensei told us that he takes Kendo very seriously, but that he's also a funny guy. I can absolutely confirm both! He's incredibly professional, passionate and knowledgeable, while also having a great sense of humour. What impressed me most was that this was genuine Kendo training, not just a tourist attraction where you put on armour and take pictures. Even in the limited time, we got a real taste of what practising Kendo is like, and I appreciated that enormously. My girlfriend loved it too, especially being allowed to hit me on the head legally! She enjoyed it so much that she's now considering taking up Kendo back home in Switzerland. A huge thank you to Toshi-sensei and his lovely wife Kumiko for being so welcoming and making this experience unforgettable. I wholeheartedly recommend this to absolutely everyone, with or without martial arts experience. One of the highlights of our entire Japan trip!

Good experience if you have time in Osaka. Good price. It was fun to spar with the teacher. The pictures were great. Very informative about the moves and the history of Kendo. 10/10 would go again.

This was an amazing experience! Worth every penny. You will use official kendo equipment, learn the history of kendo, and even practice the moves. Then at the end, you get to spar your peers and him if you like! Would highly recommend whether you want to learn more of the sword or if you're just looking for a new experience!

One of our favorite experiences in Japan! Toshi and Kumiko were absolutely wonderful. They taught us about the history of the samurai, how Kendo carries on their traditions and values, and the importance of etiquette and respect. We learned so much and had an incredible time! They were especially kind, patient, and encouraging with our two kids, making sure everyone felt comfortable and included. Practicing with Toshi was a highlight! Even though he took it easy on us, his speed and skill were amazing to see. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience or more wonderful hosts. We will cherish the memories, photos, and videos for years to come. We highly recommend this to anyone visiting Japan looking for a unique, fun, and educational experience!

This was a lot of fun! I learnt some history of the martial art but the workshop/session was the highlight. The instructors always prioritised our safety while facilitating an immersive experience. I felt like a big kid, while learning a few techniques and history too. So much fun!

The instructor and staff was excellent one of the best martial arts experiences I have been . The overall program and teaching is brilliant will definitely go back again . Thank you to amazing staff and team it’s a 5 star amazing experience

Was an excellent event to share with the family, the hosts were fantastic and a lot of fun, a fun afternoon had by all.

Absolutely wonderful experience! The Kendo training was challenging but extremely rewarding. The instruction was very clear, with excellent demonstrations throughout. I particularly enjoyed learning about the history of the samurai, how it connects to Kendo, the respect required when facing an opponent, and how to conduct yourself properly in the dojo. The instructors were warm, welcoming and encouraging, and made the whole experience fantastic. I would highly recommend this to absolutely anyone visiting Osaka, and I would genuinely love the opportunity to participate again.

One of the coolest experiences in Japan. Very good instructor and nice 2 hour program!

Toshi was a funny and experienced instructor. He makes the practice alot more interesting by putting you into the the pressure of the real sparring, including all the ritual of the battle.

Our samurai training experience with Toshi and Kumiko was easily one of the standout activities of our time in Osaka. We did the two-hour experience as a family, and from beginning to end, they were absolutely fantastic. The small-group setting made the entire experience feel personal, interactive, and genuinely special rather than like a typical tourist attraction. We were traveling with our five-year-old son, and I cannot say enough about how incredible Toshi was with him. He was exceptionally patient, took the time to walk him through the instructions step by step, and made sure he felt included throughout the entire experience. Our son was completely engaged and had an absolute blast, which made the experience that much more memorable for all of us. Kumiko was equally wonderful, and together they created such a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for our family. If you’re visiting Osaka and looking for something unique, authentic, and genuinely memorable, I could not recommend this experience more highly. Toshi and Kumiko clearly care about what they do, and that comes through in every part of the experience. One of our favorite activities in Japan and something our family will remember for a very long time. Absolutely deserving of five stars!

I very much enjoyed #Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka. It was such a unique, memorable, and authentic experience, and definitely one of the highlights of my time in Japan. Both of instructors made the experience engaging and enjoyable while giving us a real appreciation for the traditions, discipline, and spirit behind kendo. All required items were offered, and English friendly. I think this is an experience everyone visiting Osaka should try at least once. It’s something completely different from typical sightseeing and gives you a chance to actually learn and participate in an important part of Japanese culture rather than simply observe it.

Excellent experience, friendly and knowledgeable operators.

OMG this was a complete blast!! They were so good taking you through the basic techniques, then using them in sparring, building as we went. It was impressive how responsive he was to how you were going - giving you gentle physical cues to help you use the new attack/ defence moves. Going through the history, culture and protocols was also really interesting. OK so the basics - Getting there was easy on the subway. You will get hot, they’ve got heaps of water/ drinks but bring appropriate clothes to change into afterwards. When you arrive you’ll change into kendo clothing they provide.

It was so much fun to do this! They taught us about samurai history, took a bunch of pictures, taught the basics of kendo and even did some practice matches! It was a perfect experience. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to learn a new skill in Japan.

A 2 hour awesome experience learning kendo. Had an incredible teacher and translator, so much passion and knowledge, only £90 per person which was so worth it. Gave us clothes to wear incase of sweaty, constantly checking if everyone was ok and was very encouraging to all of us. Even managed to spar at the end which was one of the best things I’ve done in Japan, loved the experience so much!

Very good experience learned all about the history of the samurai accompanied with learning how to do kendo by a true master great teacher of kendo. He made me feel encouraged and enjoy kendo it was very fun a great experience evryone must do when in Osaka. 10/10 best place to learn about samurai.

This was an absolutely amazing experience. Both the instructor and his wife made our group feel welcome and comfortable, and were very encouraging to us the entire time. They cared a lot for our safety, and they spoke an amazing amount of English, meaning we were never lost. They give complimentary photos and snacks as well! Absolutely would recommend to anyone wanting a unique and welcoming experience in Japan.

Great family experience. Instruction was clear and made to be fun and informative at the same time .

We got in 10 minutes early and changed into provided outfits. The next two hours was an absolute blast. Quick photo session once you’re in training gear, a history lesson about samurai and Kendo, then onto training! Toshi and associates are incredibly skilled and friendly, their whole goal for us was to have fun. We were taught 3 basic moves, the whole ceremonial start and end to every match, what words to say to score points… the works! We then sparred with our friends, and guided by Toshi. Toshi at one point was the regional champion of Osaka, and he sure earned it. He is a fantastic teacher of children, and adults. Customer service was 100%, we left with drinks and snacks!

This was one of the highlights of our trip. From start to finish, we were impressed by how everything was handled. After booking, we emailed with translator and guide Vicky who was extremely kind and took great care to inform and advice on everything we needed to have a good experience. Following her instructions, it was easier than expected to find the event building. Well inside the air-conditioned training space, instructor and owner Toshihiko greeted us warmly. We learned some of the history surrounding the sport, and took a great deal of commemorable photos. We then got introduced to quite a large number of movements including different greetings, before having the opportunity to test our newfound knowledge against each other as well as Toshihiko. Toshihiko was very kind and encouraging and made sure we stayed safe and hydrated during the training. We wore several pieces of protective equipment, so the training is very safe – of course as long as your partner follows the rules and isn’t deliberately trying to hurt you. When the event was finished, we were offered a selection of snacks and a drink before leaving which I thought was a really caring final touch. If you’re looking for something special and active to do, I highly recommend booking. It is a great way to try kendo and experience both historical and modern Japan hands-on. Because of the format and since Toshihiko has multiple tournament titles and also works as a private kendo instructor, the experience felt very authentic.

We had a great time in the Samurai Training Experience! The hosts Toshi and Vicky are super nice and positive. You get to learn a bit about the history of Samurai and practise some basic techniques and types of attack and defense. You also get to test fighting each other and even the instructor (Toshi) who is very experienced and very fast :). They also take a lot of photos during the whole session, which is an extra bonus! Highly recommended, definately one of the highlights of our trip and fun for both adults and children.

I had a great experience. Everyone was extremely helpful and kind.

Great experience with the family. I was not sure what to expect but the experience far exceeded my expectations. The instructors were great and encouraging. They provided a good history. I definitely recommend!

Toshi and Vicky are very friendly hosts and explained the origins of Kendo etiquette and the link with Samurai spirit and history clearly.The studio is in a great location,beautiful,clean and authentic I really enjoyed wearing the armor,learning the basic footwork,attacking locations and defending.As an older beginner female student I appreciated the patience and emphasis on safety,while also having so much fun I highly recommend this activity

Samurai Training Experience -KENDO- in Osaka, Japan A++++ experience!! Spending two hours in an actual Kendo dojo, was a fantastic experience! Sensei Toshi’s instruction, passion and expertise are clearly evident! Of course I must mention he was a very warm and humorous instructor. A classroom of four students is the ideal setting for actual technique and practice. We learned how the Tokugawa shoguns ruled for over 260 years. Katsujinken was a discipline focusing on personal development and character building. In this period, many schools were established with its unique approach to swordsmanship and philosophy teaching us how to live a purposeful and meaningful life. My son is a student of martial arts and this experience inspired him to find a Kendo dojo near our home in the USA. I was but a spectator and I was deeply moved. If you are reading this and have an interest in the martial arts, you must experience this!

My 11 year old son attended the session. He learned a lot of history of Samurai. The people were very nice and made the experience very fun for him. The teacher was a good teacher. He was professional and encouraging especially for someone who was new to it. We would do it again!

We had a great time at our Samurai Training Experience! The couple that works there are so incredibly nice and you can see the genuine enthusiasm they have for Kendo. They provided a brief history on samurai culture and then we had plenty of time to practice some of the basic techniques. The instructor was so upbeat and positive which made the experience very fun and they even allowed some time for anyone interested to compete against him which was very cool to see!!

Was a great experience..we learned a lot in a short period of time and every minute the instructor would build confidence in us..highly recommend

Absolutely brilliant! One of the best experiences I've ever had! Fun, informative, just great altogether! They were both super polite and thoughtful! If you're in Osaka this is a must do!

This experience was the highlight of my trip to Japan! It was a small and comfortable atmosphere, and the staff was absolutely amazing, Especially Toshi Sensei who made it very easy to follow and learn, and was very encouraging and fun. We had a fantastic time and I am so glad that we did this experience!

Absolutely amazing experience and one of the highlights of my trip to Japan! The instructors were incredibly welcoming and made learning about Kendo and Samurai culture fun and easy for beginners. Wearing the authentic armor and practicing in a real dojo was unforgettable. If you’re visiting Osaka and want a unique, hands-on cultural experience, I highly recommend this!

This was a great experience. The staff was extremely friendly. We are opportunity to practice a few different skill moves Watch barring bottles and he can inspire ourselves. Highly recommend.

Great class, great and very friendly instructors. Highly recommend for families. I loved it as an adult, would have been really great as a kid. Anyone can do it. 1 question I forgot to ask, do I have to warn anyone I get in a fight with that I’m a trained samurai now? 😂😂😂

This experience was amazing they explained the history of how kendo came to be and we even practiced also learn the amazing Japanese history along with it Even got a chance to test your skills against the teacher 5/5 experience would definitely do it again

This is an amazing authentic kendo dojo! The instructors are professional, patient and friendly, giving clear guidance for beginners. The training environment is traditional and neat, with complete kendo gear provided. The atmosphere is respectful, warm and inclusive. It’s not only great physical training but also a wonderful experience to feel the spirit of bushido. Highly recommended!

Absolutely EXCEPTIONAL. Cannot recommend this highly enough. Fabulous instructor. We were given great historical information. Wonderful training opportunities and authentic costumes and combat outfits and weapons. So many fabulous photos provided to us at the end. Loved the experience.