Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Samurai outfits and swords rental during the activity
Entry/Admission – Matsumoto Castle
Entry/Admission – Samurai Experience Activity
English Speaking Guide
Miscellaneous fees during the activity (meals, snacks, souvenirs etc.)
Insurance (Travel Insurance, Private Insurance, etc...)
What To Expect
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).
Options
Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
Reviews
65 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A lot of information & great experience
LARA K,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great experience to climb the stairs inside the castle. The guide provided a lot of details and information about the architecture, fighting styles, samurai culture and weapons as well as the history of the town and castle, which was great. The samurai experience was also really authentic and it was interesting to try the fighting style myself. The guide had great restaurant recommendations and other tips as well :)
History and fun all in one tour!
moetfan,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great views from the top of Matsumoto Castle followed by a fun and interesting experience at Samurai school! Our guide was knowledgeable and made the tour unforgettable 😊
History and swords in one morning
susansK6747WF,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a great trip with Chin yesterday. He led us around Matsumoto Castle, explaining lots about the history of Japan and then onto the samurai experience. Such great fun, learning basic moves and some more history. Chin took loads of photos for us and helped out a lot…. As a left handed person I needed it! Great trip.
Afternoon in Matsumoto with family.
514NelsonA,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience, we recommend, and our Akiko guide was incredibly kind. She explained everything in detail and told the story while being interesting. Thank you very much to her.
Great experience in Matsumoto!
Rayaso,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Tom was OUTSTANDING! He was great with the kids keeping them interested with quizzes and sticker prizes, very engaging and theatrical explanations. The castle was AMAZING , so beautiful and interesting. Tom also showed us around the castle, some shrines and water fountains and gave us food suggestions. The samurai experience was very fun, the sensei was a very good teacher and we had a great time!
Made my day!
bossman221,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the whole experience with an excellent knowledgeable and friendly guide. The swordmaster teacher was amazing! Her attention to detail and respect for the craft felt like I was learning the ways of real Samurais of old.
Awesome experience
Ryan B,
Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic experience. Our guide for the castle was very knowledgeable and friendly, she moved at the perfect pace for us. The samurai experience was fantastic! Instructors were great and our teenage kids had a blast!!
Samurai facts and show photos with lots of fun
Leon V,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Our Canadian guide, Tom, gave good, fun, funny and interesting information about the city, the castle and the history of the samurai. He also gave nice tips about other cities in Japan. The Samurai experience was very nice. You will learn the basics of drawing and tucking back the sword and an attack and defense movement. No practice fight, but nice pictures that looks like a nice fight.
Very cool experience. The...
jennifer D,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very cool experience. The castle was amazing and the samurai experience gave many demonstrations and instructions on how to properly perform the actions.
Samurai Kai
Courtney I,
Jul 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fantastic experience. We’re so glad we signed up for this tour. Tim was our tour guide around the castle and he was knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. The castle was everything we hoped for. Watch out for the steps! They are steep and narrow and we would not recommend this tour for the elderly or people with mobility issues. We followed our castle visit up with Samurai Kai. Kai was very knowledgeable and a terrific instructor. We dressed up as samurai, selected our swords and got down to business. Kai taught us about sheathing and unsheathing the sword as well as offensive and defensive tactics. After the instruction we acted out a samurai assault scenario. My boyfriend and son finally got to live out their dreams of being samurai. Kai went above and beyond. While we were with him a thunderous downpour began. He called us a cab and made sure we had a safe, dry place to wait. The whole family loved this excursion!
From ¥13,400
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Operated by Welcome Matsumoto