Samurai and ninja experiences are starting to become popular activities for visitors to Japan, with places like Tokyo’s immersive samurai museum opening doors to this enticing world of ancient warriors.
But if just wearing some armour and swinging a sword indoors isn’t enough to satisfy, you can take things one step further at Toei Kyoto Studio Park. This theme park and film set is where you can enjoy a sword-fighting experience in a traditional Edo-period (1603-1867) setting all while being filmed like an action movie star.
In the park’s katana sword-fighting experience, you'll get to battle it out on a set designed like an ancient Japanese town and learn moves from professional sword-fighting instructors. Some of the moves you'll learn include bowing properly, drawing and sheathing the sword, and making horizontal cuts and bamboo strikes.
To make the experience all the more authentic, you'll also get to dress up in appropriate costumes to get into the Edo-era mood. There's a total of five outfits to pick from: samurai, ninja, Ryoma Sakamoto (a famous Japanese samurai), guardsman and furisode wakashu (long-sleeved kimono usually worn by young men).
Once you’ve got the moves down and are dressed up, the battle will take place and be filmed, so you can watch it after and save it as a fun memento of your experience. Additionally, the experience includes a photo shoot where you can snap shots around the atmospheric set.
The experience is completely English-friendly and takes a total of 90 minutes. Unfortunately, it is not available year-round and is only offered until June 2. There are currently seven time slots available per day, from 9am to 3pm, with prices starting at ¥10,000 for children (must be over 5 years old and taller than 110cm) and ¥11,200 for adults.
For more information on the experience, visit the website.
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