Tokyo: Samurai Sword Academy Experience

Master Tennen Rishin-ryu swordsmanship in Hino City, the Shinsengumi’s hometown. Experience the soul of the samurai with expert guidance from a Shinsengumi descendant.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hinohonmachi, 4-chōme−11−12 - The Shinsengumi, renowned as the most formidable group of swordsmen during the late Edo period, are often referred to as the “Shogun’s Last Samurai.”
    In Hino City, Tokyo, considered the birthplace of the Shinsengumi, one can immerse themselves in the art of Tennen Rishin-ryu, the swordsmanship style of the Shinsengumi….
What's Included
  • Dogi
  • Wooden sword
  • Japanese sword
Additional Information

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…

Location
Hinohonmachi, 4-chōme−11−12
The venue is on the second floor of the Inoue Genzaburo Museum, a 5-minute walk from Hino Station on the JR Chuo Line.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(21 Ratings)
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Daydream08969187216
Sep 27, 2024
Novices are OK - I experienced it as one of my solo trips. I had never played kendo before, so it was my first time to grip both bamboo and wooden swords. He taught me very, very carefully, so I was able to experience it very well. The final test-slash was also killed quickly. Thank you so much for the experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
26yumam
Jul 19, 2024
Recommendations over going to Kyoto - His teacher, a descendant of the Shinsengumi, tells him that swordplay is very interesting. I enjoyed learning the basics of Japanese martial arts. For overseas tourists, I would Recommendation to visit here rather than Kyoto.
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Dreamer62664090614
Jul 16, 2024
It was great fun learning the secrets of swordplay! - Swordsmanship is very interesting, taught by a teacher who is a descendant of Shinsengumi. I really enjoyed learning the basics of Japanese martial arts. It was an experience that I couldn't do in Japan, but if I could do it at a reasonable price, I wanted to do it again. I would also like to Recommendation those who come from overseas to visit here rather than Kyoto.
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Curious01493402914
Jul 14, 2024
Impressive experience Learning from the Descendants of the “Last Samurai” Shinsengumi: Historical Swordplay - The descendants of the “Last Samurai” Shinsengumi gave me a rare opportunity to teach swordplay directly. It was a heart-warming experience. In fact, I was able to experience the Tennen Rishin school, which has been handed down since the Edo period, at the dojo where training is still held. He had no experience in martial arts, but after learning the basics of swordplay, he tried his hand at a sword and was able to succeed. It was truly a valuable experience in this day and age, when there are very few opportunities to deal seriously. Since I want my own children to experience swordplay, I would also like to have a Swordplay Experience Program for children.
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Anonymous
Jul 6, 2024
An amazing experience! - 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 ~
Review provided by Viator
Roving36589454180
Jul 2, 2024
I'm very happy with the SAMURAI experience beyond my wildest dreams. - It is 6-dan with 30 years of Kendo experience. I went there when I heard that I could do a serious test-slicing, but the experience went way beyond what I had expected. When you arrive at the dojo, you are greeted by the fifth head of the direct line of Genzaburo Inoue, the leader of the sixth squad of the Shinsengumi, and the descendants of Soji Okita of the Shinsengumi. They are both gentle and elegant teachers. However, once the experience of the Tennen Rishin-ryu “rehearsals” begin, you will be overwhelmed by its power. When you see the fighting moves and sword muscles to make sure you defeat your opponent without being beaten, and experience the "form" of the Tennen Rishin-ryu, you realize that swordplay is the ultimate form of killing each other. Tennen Rishin-ryū was full of the awesomeness of kill-or-be-killed actual swordplay not found in modern Kendo. A serious tatami-maki trial-slicing experience gives you a real sense of the tension and sharpness radiated by a serious tatami-maki, and makes you feel deeply emotional. In summary, what we've actually done is: 1. Warm welcome at the dojo 2. Tennen Rishin-ryu swordplay training experience 3. Serious Test Slayer However, I was surprised at the level of fulfillment that would not be communicated in writing. Did the seriousness and authenticity of the teachers change time and space to another level? It was something I had never seen or experienced in my life (beware of muscle pain the next day). At my age, I never thought I'd feel this way. From the bottom of my heart, I am very satisfied.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer65623544779
Jun 30, 2024
Practical swordplay different from kendo - A fifth-generation descendant of Genzaburo Inoue, who was the leader of the Shinsengumi's sixth unit, visited me because he was teaching me Tennen Rishin-ryu. I have been practicing kendo for more than 7 years, but I learned practical swordplay for the first time, and I realized that it is indeed a swordplay on the battlefield, different from kendo throughout. I've learned kata up to number 3, but it ends with a thrust, which I think is supposed to be a small indoor battle or to choke off an opponent wearing armor. Finally, a serious Iaikiri. It was the first time I got serious and excited. Seriously, the makiwara is sharp, and the makiwara (rolled straw) cuts quickly, but if you don't have standing teeth, it won't cut cleanly (tears). I think it was my first serious shoulder strain. The two-hour rehearsals were quick and I wanted to practice more. The content is very satisfying, so we encourage those who have experience in kendo to participate in the training. I'm sure it will be a good experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventure05048193595
Jun 23, 2024
samurai sword - The two of us went. The building was dignified and I was nervous at first, but the teachers were very kind to me from the beginning, so I enjoyed participating from start to finish. I highly recommend the extraordinary experience that both Japanese and foreign people take seriously. It was amazing.
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佑弥若
Jun 23, 2024
samurai sword - We went to the experience together. The building was dignified and I was nervous at first, but the teachers taught me gently and carefully from scratch, so I was able to participate while having fun throughout. In the end, I was seriously cutting straws, but it was the first time I was seriously very nervous and it was an extraordinary experience that was very valuable. I thought that both Japanese and foreign people should experience the opportunity to hold the “Japanese sword”, the soul of a samurai, at least once in their lives.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
_a8453jv
Jun 22, 2024
Valuable experience - We went to the experience together. I learned a lot about the history of Shinsengumi, how to dress hakama and how to be polite. I used a wooden sword to do the swinging and the kata, and in the end I was given the chance to do some serious straw trials and slashes. When I was serious, the tension suddenly increased and I was able to experience things that I would not normally feel. It is highly recommended that you not only learn about history but also experience it.
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From $118
up to 4 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).