Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Kenbu (sword performance), one of many Japanese traditional arts, demonstrates the culture of the samurai, a warrior class that ruled Japan for 700 years. Kenbu masters who work to keep the spirit of samurai culture alive perform this. stage show about 30-min at Samurai Kenbu Theater. Satisfy your intellectual curiosity with in-depth talks, and enjoy both traditional and new-style Kenbu performances based on historical tales from the feudal period. This includes a simple lesson on Japanese 'katana' swords.
Watch a Kenbu show in the first.
After the show, let's enjoy the mini experience with a sword and take phot.
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Departure Point
Samurai Kenbu Theater, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Samurai Kenbu Theater, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Make your way to Samurai Kenbu Theater, conveniently located in downtown Kyoto. After removing your shoes and taking your seat, you’re introduced to the Japanese traditional art of Kembu through informative narration on stage.
Before each demonstration, you’ll learn about the culture of the samurai, a warrior class that ruled Japan from the 12th to 19th century. In feudal times, samurai were said to perform Kembu to give themselves courage or to achieve mental concentration.
During traditional and new-style Kenbu short performances, watch trained masters wield swords and recite short Japanese poems written by samurai before going to battle. Discover the art of folding a fan as a show of respect in Japanese culture.
You can also take a simple Japanese sword experience.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Approximately 40 minutes of the hour will be the show part, followed by the mini experience part.
Please come down the stairs on the right side of the toward the GOZAN building to the reception desk.
Please arrive 15 minutes to 5 minutes prior to the start time.
If you wish to cancel a reservation, you must do so yourself on Viator.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure 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.
lbi3005
29 May 2025
A very interesting presentation of Samurai dances. We enjoyed the hands on activity with the swords. We have some great pictures of ourselves using them. The video was quite informative. The presentation might have been better if the video was shown first.
brettgS7065IM
13 Apr 2025
The Kenbu portion of the performance was wonderfully executed. The performers showed a great degree of skill and was very enjoyable. I felt the brief sword lesson felt touristy and rushed. I personally would have traded that time to extend the Kenbu performances.
ktari3
08 Mar 2025
If you’re interested in samurai history and culture, the Kembu Samurai Theatre in Kyoto is a must-visit. The performance is both engaging and educational, showcasing the precision and artistry of traditional kembu sword techniques. The performers do an excellent job of bringing this historical practice to life, making it a memorable experience for all ages.
For those wanting to dive even deeper into the world of the samurai, I highly recommend the book written by the owner, who is also one of the performers. It’s well-written and informative, offering valuable insights into the philosophy and traditions of the samurai. A great read for anyone looking to learn more!
Overall, an excellent experience that blends history, culture, and performance in an intimate setting. Definitely worth visiting while in Kyoto!
This tour in
Japan
is organized by
Ginbu Co., LTD. (former name: Samurai Ke
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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