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Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
4.8
32 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
- Entry/Admission – Samurai Experience Activity
- English Speaking Guide
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!
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
4.8
(32 Ratings)
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Scott_m
Aug 29, 2024
Highly recommended for fun and educational - This was a fantastic experience. Walking to the Matsumoto castle we had about 20 min. to get information about Japan's history especially around the Matsumoto area. Our guide, Tom, was extremely knowledgeable about the area as he has been in Japan for 30 years and has been a teacher (and other jobs). We got several great photos and really enjoyed learning about the history and seeing the castle. Note that the stairs are very steep and large steps (almost like going up a step ladder) and there are about 5 floors in the castle. There is also a few low beams to watch for (it is an old castle).
After touring the castle we traveled a short distance to meet a sword instructor. This was a very fun experience. They kept it simple enough but very active that we had fun. Miharu Sensei was very patient and was great at teaching (and Tom did great interpreting).
Review provided by Viator
Monty
Aug 11, 2024
Highly recommend. - Our local guide Kae (sp?) was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about both the castle and samurai. It was a very enjoyable experience, loved by everyone in the family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W4767btrobertog
Aug 7, 2024
Awesome - The Samurai Experience is totally worth it. Both Matt and Sylvain were extremely knowledgeable, entertaining, and friendly. The Matsumoto Castle Tour was great and full of details. I fully recommend this to anyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cb201401
Jul 27, 2024
Castles and Swords - We met our tourguide at the train station right where they stated with a name sign. It was a crazy hot day but the guide stopped several times and pointed out natural spring fountains on our route that you can safely drink from. It's about 12mins from the Station meet up point to the Castle. Good explanation of the history of the castle. Be prepared for some crazy-sized old stairs. Fun and educational time with the Samurai Sword 'lesson' only a short walk from the castle. The kids had a blast and we have great memories and pictures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
