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Reviews

• Kyoto's Katana SME!

  Passport44826404550,,Dec 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I've followed Shogo's YouTube channel for a few years now. This year, he started posting videos of Katanas sold via his shop. They can be purchased online and shipped to the US. The website is self explanatory and easy to navigate for purchasing historic Katanas. A few months back, I decided to give it a whirl and purchased a Katana from the site. So far, the process has been extremely smooth. Shogo answered all my questions (even the dumb ones). He is easy to work with, responds quickly via email and is always, always professional. We are planning a trip to Japan in 2026 and 2027. For both, we will spend time in Kyoto and visit the shop and share Sake/Tea in person (can't wait!!). For me, I'm hoping this is start of a great relationship; in which, I purchase a historic Katana every year via Shogo's guidance and expertise.

• What an amazing experience

  Toan T,,Nov 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Shogo is very professional and knowledgeable about katanas. He’s responsive and accommodating. I reached out to him a month prior to my trip to Japan but my schedule changed and he was able to accommodate me last minute. The selection was great and the experience was amazing. They allowed me plenty of time to view the collection and answer any questions that I had. This was a personal, intimate, and meaningful experience. The master swordsman (I feel bad I forgot this name) was very kind, patient, and personable. They offered my family water and chairs for them to sit while I was making my selection. We took pictures of my selection and posted on their wall. I would love to come back and purchase another katana from Shogo on my next trip to Japan. Thank you for a memorable experience for me and my family.

  

• Clearly, the best path to your perfect katana!

  Navigator280273,,Nov 17, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Shogo is the best. Friendly, professional, everything you could ask for. He told me he would help me find the katana that was perfectly suited for me. I have to admit I was skeptical. I told him a little about myself. And then he surprised me by doing exactly what he said he would do. I was astonished. You will be too. Trust me.

  

• Buy from Shogo!!!

  X8179WHsantiagos,,Nov 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Shogo is a truly wonderful individual in what he does. His passion for culture, learning and teaching while helping others is evident in his prompt and courteous responses and attention to every detail. He made my Authentic Japanese Katana purchase seamless and a true pleasure through and through. I highly recommend his services and will most definitely use his services and purchase again. - Santiago

  

• How I found my Katana - Or did it find me?

  Stefan H,,Oct 28, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Somehow, Shogo managed to find the perfect katana for me. It met every single one of my criteria — and even more. The fuchi, kashira, and menuki perfectly reflected my hobbies and my zodiac sign. After seeing a few swords that just didn’t feel right, it was a strange but powerful moment to see this one. I instantly knew — this was my katana. My wife said she could see it in my eyes and in my smile — that this was the one! After returning from Japan, it took about eight long weeks until it finally arrived at my home. Eight weeks filled with anticipation, excitement, and a bit of nervousness, hoping everything would go smoothly. When I finally held it in my hands, I felt pure joy and an incredible sense of relief. Since then, the katana has been proudly displayed in our living room, a constant reminder of that unforgettable experience and our amazing trip to Japan. Even now, every time I draw it from its saya, I’m filled with a deep sense of awe, reverence, and honor. It’s truly a masterpiece — a work of art in every sense. Thank you so much, Shogo, for this wonderful experience. I hope we’ll meet again someday!

• Katana Shopping with Experts

  timothytJ462UC,,Oct 24, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Shogo and Yushin were so knowledgeable, patient, and kind! They made the shopping experience fun and exciting! They truly understood this was a lifelong dream for me as well as a huge investment in a piece of Japanese art!! I've already recommended them to my friends!

  

  

• Superior service

  838joshuag,,Aug 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I purchased a katana and was guided at all points. They were thorough and answered all questions while educating me in its maintenance. Post purchase they followed up with me, updating me up to the date of arrival. Highly recommend if you plan on purchasing a real katana.

• eidoss2025,,Jul 22, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Of the multitude of key moments during my trip to Japan, this experiences is solidified on the favorites list. I informed Shogo San of my interest in purchasing a sword once we arrived in Kyoto. We discussed budget and the general processing of purchasing a real katana. He set expectations for shipping and the authentication process. Finding and entering the quiet dojo from the busy main road had its own authentic mystique. Yushin Sensei and Osayo San were inviting and created a relaxing atmosphere which was balanced by their subtle yet energetic demonstration of skill. Following we participated in a one of a kind armored matt cutting experience; we moved on to sword selection and potential purchase. Shogo San and Yushin Sensei brought out 9 different swords. I said no to all and Shogo San informed me my selection changed when I adjusted my price range due prior events on the trip. Shogo San and Yushin Sensei worked with me on some options and 3 more swords were brought out. Also non peek my interest. That’s 13th one… Yushin Sensei walked out with my partner. When he lay it down and told me it arrived just in time and was yet to be processed, I knew I found my katana! The guy were patient with me attempting to validate the purchase. The payment went throught and I waited a month and change for the sword to me process and shipped. The Yushin Kan handle everything. Thank you guy again!

  

  

• Roving35026998943,,Jul 21, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Shogo and the team were very professional and patient, had some trouble to get payment authorization and took a few days to complete, but they were very kind and helpful, even during shipping process. Will probably come back to get an other one at some point to complete the set!

• Dashizame Delight!

  joshbD4656BJ,,Jul 20, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I had a wonderful experience purchasing an unsharpened wakizashi for training. I had already been acquainted with Yushin and Shogo previously and requested something humble but functional. I was attending a different training camp with Shogo a few days before this, and we received a text message that said "I have found the perfect wakizashi for him." I was a little bit anxious! I had been assuming I'd see an array of three to five to view, and to see which one "jumped out at me" or "chose me", but... what if I didn't like this one? It sounded like they'd went through a little extra trouble on my behalf, and I didn't want to be rude, but we just had to wait and see. I arrived with a few friends, and Shogo made the process as fun and simple as possible, and Yushin was just happy to see and entertain us. One of my friends, who had been at the other training camp, had a similarly excellent story - he had picked up a nickname at the camp, "Ichiban", and when he saw the sword that Yushin picked out for him, he wasn't sure... but then someone called him by that nickname, "Ichiban", and Yushin was confused - when we explained what was being said, he removed the handle from the shirasaya and the inscription on the tang was a gold-filled kanji: "Ichi". It meant the owner of this sword was "Ichiban" (I think, the details of the conversation are fuzzy now!) but... it was like magic. Then my turn came, and they made me close my eyes, which was odd. When I opened them, there were two wakizashi - nearly identical. One was Yushin's own training wakizashi, and next to it was mine... they fitted one for me to match Yushin's, just because I had mentioned once - in passing - that I would be interested in "one like Yushin uses for training" and then decided to purchase it one when we went to Japan later that year. I didn't think they'd find or mount one identical to his. What's more, the koshirae mounting is a dashizame, an "exposed ray skin", a rare type of handle that doesn't have the wrapping, it's just raw (and really, really rough!) rayskin. Wild. It's a wonderful piece, the blade is worn but functionally gorgeous, unsharpened by Yushin himself. They even sent a sword stand along with a cleaning kit and took care of all of the paperwork and delivery. If you're at all interested in a katana that's literally "JUST FOR YOU", lol, I would definitely book a trip here and get the guidance of Shogo and Yushin. I still can't believe that both of these things happened in front of me, but I'll never forget the memories!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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