JAPAN
Japan's classics.
The 15 most popular samurai, ninja & sumo tours in Japan. What each one is really like, who runs it, and what you will pay.
Tokyo sumo show with geisha dance, English-Japanese commentary, all-you-can-eat chicken hot pot, and ring-side photo. 2 hours.
“This show was so incredible funny and informative. The food was amazing (literally fixed my hangover) and we had such an amazing time. I feel like it was really good value for money and would definitely recommend this experience for all ages”
Sumo up close in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. Watch and participate at Tokyo Sumo Room with optional training and a chanko-style meal. 90–120 min.
“very fun, was a great experience and show. highly recommend joining in with the sumos”
A 90-minute Tokyo sumo show with retired wrestlers, interactive sparring, and a tonkatsu plus chanko soup lunch. Great value.
“Great family activity with ex professional sumo wrestlers, katsu chicken lunch was great, highly recomend.”
A 90-minute Shinjuku sumo show with pro wrestlers, bilingual explanations of rituals, a dohyō challenge, and an included photo.
“The show is very highly rated, but many other activities were more interesting. It was mostly just ok.”
Tokyo’s Samurai Restaurant show in Shinjuku blends neon samurai theater with dancers and 2 included drinks, lasting about 90 minutes.
“the show was a lot of fun and the perfirmers and staff all looked really happt to put on the show”
Kyoto Samurai Experience in a historic samurai house: kimono try-on, Bushido and Zen, plus hands-on sword basics in small groups.
“The whole experience there was amazing. So interesting and very enjoyable. They put together a perfect couple of hours.”
Tokyo’s Samurai Ninja Museum tour mixes guided history with shuriken throwing and samurai dress-up. English tour, hands-on fun for $27.
“An enthusiastic guide makes a tour worthwhile and this one didn’t disappoint. Great history lesson done in a fun way.”
A 90-minute Shinjuku sumo show with live sparring, English explanations, and a chance to wear a sumo outfit and challenge wrestlers.
“Great experience learnt so much and now appreciate the craft of sumo!”
Suit up in authentic kendo gear in a 100-year Kyoto machiya, practice safe sword techniques with a master, then take home photos.
“Fantastic, learnt about the history and culture of Japan whilst also being able to learn about Samaria way of life. Also got to the use the skills learned in a sparring lession.”
Train in Kyoto Kenbu with a samurai sword class, including bowing and sword-draw basics, plus costume photos and a completion certificate.
“I truly never write reviews, but these guys went SO above and beyond, and the whole experience was so fun and interesting and memorable, that I had to. Interesting, brief historical overview; great authentic outfits that we got to choose (and they let us keep a souvenir from it, which was so sweet)! The training…”
Skip-the-line guided tour at Samurai Ninja Museum Kyoto. Try samurai armor, throw shuriken, take photos, learn ninja stories in ~1 hour.
“It was an enjoyable experience. History and fun, and in addition we got to dress up like Samurai. I would recommend for first timers in Kyoto to visit and experience this.”
Osaka sumo show plus audience bouts, kimono haori try-on, wrestler photos, and optional chanko nabe hot pot at Ochiizumibeya.
“I liked the sumo experience but i was expecting more fights..there were only 3”
Get behind the scenes at a real sumo stable near Tokyo: room tour, morning practice by the ring, chanko-nabe lunch, and hands-on sumo moves.
“I’d recommend this experience to anyone. One of the most fun things I’ve done on a trip. Guide was very friendly and kind. The sumo wrestlers were a lot of fun. The food was amazing. I will tell everyone who comes to Tokyo to book this”
Train with samurai masters in Machida: iai sword forms, gekken sparring and target cutting, plus traditional horseback archery.
“This is more than an activity. It’s an experience that’s worth every penny. We learned Samurai history and practiced cutting archery and sparring. Do yourself a favor and take this class if you’re in Tokyo.”
VIP Asakusa sumo show with geisha dance, bilingual commentary, A5 wagyu sukiyaki, chanko nabe, drinks, and a ring challenge.
“It was a wonderful experience. I was not aware that I had booked at the annex and so went to the wrong place but apparently that happens all the time so they just walked us over to the right place I was thinking it would not be as good but it was a blast so…”
