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Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
4.9
21 Ratings
Matsumoto
Explore Matsumoto Castle and master samurai sword fighting in an immersive historical experience. Learn, dress, and fight like a true samurai!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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Matsumoto Castle - Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles designated as ‘National Treasures of Japan’ and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan. Construction began in 1592 of the elegant black and white structure with its three turrets. Because of the elegant black walls, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called ‘Crow Castle’.
Please note that the stairs to reach the top of Matsumoto Castle’s tower are steep and narrow. - Nakamachi Kurassic-kan - Here is the Samurai Experience Activity! Learn how to handle the sword (Katana) as well as some basic samurai movement (Kamae).
What's Included
- Samurai outfits and swords rental during the activity
- Entry/Admission – Matsumoto Castle
- English or French Speaking Guide
- Entry/Admission – Samurai Experience Activity
What's Not Included
- Miscellaneous fees during the activity (meals, snacks, souvenirs etc.)
- Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc…)
Additional Information
Your chance to become a Samurai while visiting Matsumoto Castle!
What better place to have your samurai experience than in a city with an authentic castle from the feudal era?
First take a tour of Matsumoto Castle designated a “National Treasure” of Japan due to its well-preserved original structure! During the tour, you will learn about the Matsumoto Samurai lords, the history of Matsumoto City and even some of the castle’s defensive strategies.
Then experience a live hands-on Samurai Sword Fighting activity! A Master Samurai will teach you some of these ancient fighting techniques. You can choose your own colors for your outfit which consists of a yukata (light kimono), hakama (wide-leg pants), and obi (belt). You can even select your swords!
The stage and the atmosphere of the place is bound to take you on a realistic journey back in time. The perfect setting for a complete immersion into this slice of Japanese history!
Activity available in English and French.
Location
Matsumoto Station
At the front of the ticket entrance gate/JR Line ticket office. The pick-up details will be arranged a few days before the activity by email
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(21 Ratings)
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Alexanderw2548
May 30, 2024
Best Tour we had in Japan - The best Tour we had in Japan! The guide had a lot of knowledge about the castle and Matsumoto. He was very passionate about that and we learned a lot during this private tour. And the samurai experienve was also very interesting. We got to learn the basic moves and techniques as a samurai, as well as about the history. We can only recommend doing this tour! 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager40822436948
May 22, 2024
Awesome experience - This was an awesome tour. It was just me and my brother and our guide was very passionate about his adopted home. It felt like talking to an old friend who was just speaking about his beloved home. We loved learning how to hold the katana and various stances and moves to use ND pretending to be both defender and 'dying bandit's was hilarious.
As my brother and I didn't actually want to go into the castle and climb the stairs our guide offered to takes to the locals market and around the grounds of the castle expanding on the history of the area. It was awesome cause I love history and it felt very in depth and before we knew it the tour was over 3hrs later.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniel_k
May 13, 2024
Unbelievable experience - This was soo good. We had an excellent guide and teacher who made the experience fun and knowledgeable
Review provided by Viator
884elisak
May 8, 2024
An interesting experience! - A very pleasant and enriching visit to Matsumoto Castle, followed by an interesting experience on handling the samurai version of the katana (very close to kendo, but still a different approach). I recommend this experience, my husband and I greatly enjoyed it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robyco66
May 8, 2024
BEAUTIFUL CASTLE - Truly an unexpected surprise.
It feels like going back to the times when the Samurai lived there.
Very well kept and even the visit inside was worth the cost of the ticket.
Reaching the tower from which you can admire the surrounding area is not for everyone, you have to be very careful because the steps are quite small and a little slippery. I believe it is one of the few monumental castles still present in Japan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
328marlenaw
Apr 19, 2024
Samurai and Katana experience - It was amazing experience. The instructor is very skilled and moves with so much grace. It is very enjoyable to watch her skills. We really enjoyed all the Katana moves that we learned from her. I cannot recommend it enough
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Larainen2019
Apr 18, 2024
Interesting tour - Good tour of castle, more information on Japan during the castle's operation would have been useful. Samurai Experience teacher was excellent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bridgetn596
Apr 17, 2024
Great tour! Easy! - Beautiful castle and great tour! I was not sure about the Samurai experience but it turned out to be fun . Our guide was very informativve and gave us some extra information about the area and best food places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leadn93
Mar 28, 2024
Awesome ! - Sylvain is a very good guide, the experience was great.
We really had a lovely afternoon and learned a lot about Matsumoto Castle and even Japan in general 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jean_lucj353
Mar 19, 2024
Great activity - Superb activity: an hour with the sensi to discover the samurai outfit, then a few movements with the katana. Sensi very friendly and comfortable in his explanations in English. Then, the visit to the castle which is impressive. Original castle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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