Tokyo: Samurai Sword Academy in the Hometown of the Last Samurai

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: Japanese, English
Dogi, wooden sword, Japanese sword

Overview

You can actually use a Japanese sword, which is said to be the soul of the samurai, and experience a trial cutting. The experience of touching the soul of the samurai will surely transform you. Tennen Rishin-ryu swordsmanship, which began in the Edo period, has been carried on to this day, and students of Tennen Rishin-ryu practice at the Tennen Rishin-ryu Hino Dojo to hone their swordsmanship skills. You can learn the essence of Tennen Rishin-ryu at the actual dojo. The swordsmen who practiced the Tennen Rishin-ryu in Hino City formed the Shinsengumi, said to be the strongest group of swordsmen, at the end of the Edo period and were known as the Last Samurai. You can feel the history and culture of the Last samurai by experiencing swordsmanship in Hino City, the hometown of the Shinsengumi. Masao Inoue, the chairman of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Hino Dojo and a descendant of the Shinsengumi executive Genzaburo Inoue, will lead the experience program.

Meeting points

Japan, 〒191-0011 Tokyo, Hino, Hinohonmachi, 4-chōme−１１−１２

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The venue is on the second floor of the Inoue Genzaburo Museum, a 5-minute walk from Hino Station on the JR Chuo Line.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

The Shinsengumi, the strongest group of swordsmen active at the end of the Edo period, is known as the “Shogun's Last Samurai”. You can experience Tennen Rishin-ryu, the Shinsengumi's swordsmanship, in Hino City, Tokyo, which is said to be the hometown of the Shinsengumi. Learn the basic forms of Tennen Rishin-ryu and try cutting with a Japanese sword that embodies the samurai spirit. This special experience will transform you!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Free Cancellation

February 07100% refund

February 08No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

21 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

21
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 21 reviews with 5 stars

An amazing experience!

Published on Jul, 2024

I went today and had a wonderful time! I always wanted to learn to use the sword so I was really looking forward to it! It was fun, I learned a lot and got 2 amazing teachers! Thank you so much! Definitely going again ~

Amazing Samurai experience at the Samurai Sword Academy!

Published on Jun, 2024

I was invited to take part in this with Paul Martin, who is one of the greatest living non-Japanese experts on Japanese swords. He did not tell me anything beforehand. Despite having practiced some Japanese sword techniques with an imitation sword, I had never cut tatami before and was a bit nervous. I got to dress up like a Samurai. The Sensei, both spent time patiently teaching us their 5 sword kata, then demonstrated cutting, then it was my turn and WOW! Awesome experience to cut with a live Japanese sword with the descendants of the real last samurai. I told Paul afterwards I think they should double the price because the experience is so authentic, rare, and truly once in a lifetime. Don't miss this!

A Samurai Experience of a Lifetime!

Published on Jun, 2024

I felt incredibly honored to take part in the swordsmanship experience at the Samurai Sword Academy, not only in the Hometown of the Last Samurai of the Shogun (The Shinsengumi), but actually with their descendants. Inoue sensei was very kind and patient, and Masubuchi sensei led the class with very easy to understand instructions in English. We got to learn techniques of the Tennen-Rishin Ryu school as practiced by Hino members of the Shinsengumi and the 4th generation head, Kondo Isami. We started with basics, then moved onto some forms, and finished with an actual test cutting experience using real Japanese swords (Katana/Nihonto) while wearing the blue with Dandara pattern cuff haori of the Shinsengumi. The teaching was excellent and easy to understand, the experience was priceless. Well worth much more than we paid. The experience is two hours, leaving you plenty of time to see lots of other interesting museums and Shrines/Temples in Hino. Highly recommended!

The best samurai experience

Published on Jun, 2024

It was a very amazing experience I highly recommend giving it a try. Everyone was very nice and the atmosphere was amazing.

Great Experience of Kenjutsu in Shinsengumi Hometown

Published on Jun, 2024

I joint this amazing program. I experienced kenjutsu from the style of Shogun corps, Tennen Rishin Ryu. During training supervised by Master Inoue Genzaburo, the descendent of Shinsegumi. The program also guided with English by Yu Masubuchi San. It is really amazing experience at Shinsegumi hometown, Hino. Inoue Genzaburo Sensei and Yu Masubuchi San are very nice and very helpful. They guided me patiently. If you visit Japan, especially Tokyo or even Hino, I recommend this program for you.. it will be memorable experience for you. Let"s book the program and have a great experience.