Samurai swordplay inside a real temple dojo. At Myokaku-ji, you get hands-on training, then step into a chambara shoot with professional period-drama actors. Two things I love about this experience are the setting and the hands-on coaching, because it turns a fun idea into something you actually can do.

You also get the full visual package: kimono dressing plus filming time that makes it feel like an action scene. In particular, instructors such as Kesuke Irie San and Kazuya Naito San are the kind of teachers who keep the energy up and guide you patiently through the moves. One possible consideration: you need comfortable clothes for physical activity, and this is not suitable for people with back problems or certain medical conditions.

Key Things You’ll Remember

• Training at Myokaku-ji in a temple dojo setting, not a generic studio
• Real sword basics taught with techniques like makkogiri and kesagiri
• Kimono rental included, so you can focus on the experience, not logistics
• Chambara performance by professional actor-samurai, with bushido-inspired stage skills
• Film your own action scene with your camera, then get a photo download service
• Small group of 6, plus a separate entrance to help you skip the line

Myokaku-ji Temple: Why This Sword Class Feels Different

Most sword experiences in Japan are either show-only or workshop-only. This one pairs both, and the location does a lot of the work. You learn at Myokaku-ji Temple, described as the only place in Japan where you can do sword-fighting training.

That matters because the environment changes how you move and how you pay attention. You are not just memorizing steps. You are practicing posture and control in a setting tied to the Sengoku era, including a connection to warlords such as Nobunaga Oda about 400 years ago.

70 Minutes, Small Group, Separate Entrance: The Practical Setup

The session runs 70 minutes, which is perfect if you want a memorable activity without turning your day into a half-marathon. It is also a small group limited to 6 participants, so you are not lost in the back of the room while others take most of the spotlight.

You also get a smoother arrival. Meet at the Myokaku-ji Dojo, to the left after you enter the main gate of the temple. The activity includes skip-the-line through a separate entrance, which helps when you are combining this with other Kyoto plans.

Instructors speak Japanese and English, and the coaching is built for first-timers. You will get clear guidance on how to hold and wield the sword, with technique cues you can remember during your filming moment.

Sword Tricks Workshop: Makkogiri and Kesagiri Basics

The core of the activity is a sword training segment where you learn the fundamentals and then apply them. You receive instruction on holding, wielding, and timing your movements.

The techniques named for this experience are makkogiri and kesagiri. Even if you have never touched a sword before, this is the kind of structure that helps: you practice specific motions instead of guessing what looks right.

This is also where the safety side shows up in a practical way. You are given guidance so your movements look intentional, not chaotic. If you follow directions, the experience stays fun and controlled, which is what you want when you are performing choreographed swordplay.

One practical tip: wear comfortable clothes suitable for physical activity. This is not the moment for stiff shoes or something that restricts your movement.

Kimono Dressing Done for Real, Not Just a Costume

The kimono part is not a quick photo stop. You do the traditional kimono dressing experience and wear the rental kimono throughout the portion of the session that calls for it.

This matters because the kimono changes your sense of time and body position. Your posture becomes more deliberate, and it supports the whole period-drama look. The kimono fee is included, so you do not end up paying extra for the outfit the way some experiences do.

If you are thinking about comfort, plan ahead. Kimono days reward patience, and you will want to wear clothing that makes dressing simpler. Bring comfortable clothes for the training part too, since you will be moving.

Also, you can take photos and videos during the experience. Having your camera ready means you can capture the kimono transformation and the training moment as it happens.

Watching Choreography, Then Performing Your Own Chambara Scene

The middle-to-late portion of the experience blends watching and doing.

First, you watch a chambara performance by professional samurai actors. The emphasis is on authentic stage skills, with a bushido-inspired feel that period-drama actors have practiced for years. The performance also gives you a visual model, so your later moves make more sense.

Then comes the part many people remember most: you perform what you learned during your samurai swordplay and filming session. This is not just a class where you leave with notes. It is an action-movie style setup where your choreography becomes part of the scene.

You are also welcome to shoot the moment with your camera. That means you are not restricted to phone-only souvenirs or a single guide photo. You get a chance to frame your own shot while still following the sequence.

What You Get to Take Home: Photo Download and Your Footage

The package includes a photo download service, plus photography and video recording with your customer camera. So you are not only relying on your own footage.

This is a smart value-add. When you are focused on the sword moves and the kimono look, your own camera shots can come out shaky or blocked. Having someone else capture the key moments reduces that risk.

Your downloaded footage becomes a nice memory because it shows you doing something you usually only see in movies. It is also easier to share with friends than trying to explain sword techniques in a group chat.

Cost and Value: Is $127 Worth 70 Minutes in Kyoto?

At $127 per person for a 70-minute session, this is not the cheapest thing you can do in Kyoto. But it is also not a one-note experience.

You are paying for several things in one shot:

• A rare temple-based setting for sword-fighting training
• Kimono rental included
• Professional actors running the chambara performance and coaching
• Your filming time, plus a photo download service
• A small group size that keeps instruction close

If you are the type who likes hands-on activities, this price starts to make sense fast. You get coaching, costume, performance, and footage, all in one timed block. If you only want a quick photo, you may feel it is too much money for too little time.

Who Should Book, and Who Should Skip

This experience is designed for people who can follow instruction and move comfortably. It is taught by Japanese and English instructors, and it is generally friendly for beginners because you learn the basics first.

It is not suitable for:

• Children under 5
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People over 95

You also need to follow basic rules: no smoking and no alcohol and drugs.

If you fall into the right category, it is a fun choice for:

• First-timers who want a safe, structured way to try swordplay
• Anyone who enjoys cosplay-style experiences but wants training too
• People who like action-movie filming and want real footage to show later

Should You Book This Samurai Sword and Kimono Filming Session?

I think this is a strong book if you want a Kyoto activity that blends atmosphere, teaching, and a real filming payoff. The temple setting at Myokaku-ji, the small group of 6, and the fact that you learn specific sword techniques before your performance make it feel more meaningful than a simple costume-and-photo stop.

Skip it if you want something quiet and purely sightseeing, or if you cannot do the mild physical movements required. It is also worth thinking about your wardrobe comfort, since you will be wearing a kimono and participating in coordinated sword steps.

If you are deciding between this and another Kyoto activity, I would frame it like this: if you want a memory you can watch back, this gives you that. If you want calm and downtime, choose something else.

FAQ

How long is the Kyoto Samurai Sword & Kimono Action Filming Experience?

It lasts 70 minutes.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the Myokaku-ji Dojo, to the left after entering the main gate of Myokaku-ji Temple.

What is included in the price?

Included are rental kimono, a photo download service, and photography and video recording using your camera, plus indemnity insurance specified by the provider.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera and wear comfortable clothes suitable for physical activity.

Can I take photos and video during the experience?

Yes, you are welcome to take photos and videos during the experience.

Who is this experience not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people over 95.