Samurai Experience in Kumamoto
- Experience Bushid(the way of the warrior) while wearing a dogi and being taught directly by Mr. Matsunaga
- Enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets, while learning about the spirituality of Iaido
- You will receive a samurai training completion certificate and an original tenugui hand towel with your name written on it (A completion certificate is only available for beginner plans.)
- Enjoy Kumamoto Castle before or after your experience
What to expect
The world-famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi is the strongest in Japan. He is said to have fought 60 times in his life and never lost. Musashi Miyamoto spent his later years in Kumamoto, and in a cave called Reigando in Kumamoto City, where he wrote the book of five rings, a collection of tactics and knowledge for winning battles by cutting off doubts and anxieties in the heart. There he also perfected his own style "Niten Ichiryu".
Learn the real samurai swordsmanship and spirituality that has been passed down for about 380 years from Matsunaga sensei, the 18th-generation master who inherited Niten Ichiryu and devoted himself to the development of Iaido.
Good to know
The following two points are the characteristics of Musashi Miyamoto, the founder of Niten Ichiryu, which you will experience this time.
(1) He was a samurai who focused and improved on his artistic sense. He created various works of art, believing that enhancing artistry is the most important way to hone his swordsmanship. Miyamoto Musashi's ink paintings and tsuba (metal sword guards) are stored at the Shimada Museum of Art in Kumamoto City.
(2) He mastered his own swordsmanship in order to protect his family and master. As the era changed from the Sengoku period, which was an era of war, to the Edo period, which sought peace, people lived not only to win battles, but also to master swordsmanship in order to protect and keep the peace. This style of swordsmanship and spirituality is Iaido.
THINGS TO NOTE We do not accept observers-only reservations. If you wish to accompany a participant as an observer, please make a prior reservation. The fee for observers is 3,350 yen per person (includes the observation fee, tea, sweets set, and hand towel).
Reviews
very good experience. a very good English translator all the way during the activity. got to know a lot about the history and the culture of masashi. able to practice a bit of moves. very fruitful overall.
To Anyone going to Japan, this will most defnitely be the best and most interactive personal Samurai experience. It is the highlight of our entire Japan trip. You will have a wondeful English interpreter and an excelent master.
Place was a little hard to find but still ok. It’s about 5 min walk from tram station, JR station is very far away. It was fun and the instructors were very friendly. Direct disciple descendants of miyamoto musashi, 18th generation. Definitely want to return again, price seems a little expensive if done in a group. But i was alone so attention of 2 trainers to 1 customer is worth the price.
I cannot stress this enough, this is a MUST DO if you decide to visit Kumamoto! On the surface level it seems like just an “oh cool I get to swing a sword” kind of experience but it is so much more than that. Learning about Miyamoto Musashi, what it means to be a samurai, and the meanings behind the movements and styles of iaido make for a complete cultural immersion to Kumamoto and Japan as a whole. This is all not even mentioning the fact that the Sensei’s are amazing and helpful never making you feel out of place! Go go go!
It was a great and meaningful cultural immersion in Kumamoto offering a combination of history and practical experience. You will learn about Iaido and have the oppurtunity to practice one of its movements. By the end of the experience, we left having improved both our minds and spirits. The senseis were very accomodating and understanding. They were observant and adjusted their teaching style to match our individual challenges. They never made us feel like we were struggling, even with the difficulties involved in learning what they taught. This is a must-do for any history or culture buff.
This experience was such a unique experience. I had looked at several other samurai experiences prior to going to Japan and they all felt super cheesy. This one felt really authentic. We had a chance to really learn about the history and focus of the practice itself, not just dress up in costumes. It isn't cheap, but I do think there is enough value for the money - also having a 1 on 1 experience always costs more and in this case i think was key to enjoying the activity.
At first, I thought simply drawing and sheathing the sword would be enough for you to practice! But since it's a trial lesson, perfection isn't required. Completing the whole process is more important. We practiced a set of moves, learned about Miyamoto Musashi and the history of Niten Ichi-ryu, and there are so many other interesting things. Kumamoto is truly a city of samurai.
Very satisfied with the experience. The instructor is very kind and provides one-to-one teaching. Not to be missed if you like samurai or Miyamoto Musashi.
It's worth experiencing. Go buy this itinerary.
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