Tokyo: Samurai Sword Academy in the Hometown of the Last Samurai
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Tennen Rishin-ryu swordsmanship, which began in the Edo period, has been carried on to this day, and students of Tennen Rishin-ryu practice at the Tennen Rishin-ryu Hino Dojo to hone their swordsmanship skills. You can learn the essence of Tennen Rishin-ryu at the actual dojo.
The swordsmen who practiced the Tennen Rishin-ryu in Hino City formed the Shinsengumi, said to be the strongest group of swordsmen, at the end of the Edo period and were known as the Last Samurai. You can feel the history and culture of the Last samurai by experiencing swordsmanship in Hino City, the hometown of the Shinsengumi.
Masao Inoue, the chairman of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Hino Dojo and a descendant of the Shinsengumi executive Genzaburo Inoue, will lead the experience program.
You can actually handle a Japanese sword, which is said to be the soul of the samurai. The experience of touching the soul of the samurai will surely transform you.
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
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This is not a tourist leisure activity, but a real swordsmanship experience at an authentic dojo. Anyone can learn the art of the sword in a true dojo setting. The Shinsengumi, the strongest group of swordsmen active at the end of the Edo period, is known as the “Shogun's Last Samurai”. You can experience Tennen Rishin-ryu, the Shinsengumi's swordsmanship, in Hino City, Tokyo, which is said to be the hometown of the Shinsengumi. Learn the basic forms of Tennen Rishin-ryu and try handling a Japanese sword that embodies the samurai spirit. This special experience will transform you!
What‘s Included
Dogi, wooden sword, Japanese sword
Options
Tokyo: Samurai Sword Academy in the Hometown of the Last Samurai
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A heartwarming, fully-maximised, unforgettable 2 hours!
babyziggy27,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Growing up with the Rurouni Kenshin anime, and having learnt some Krav Maga, I was definitely looking for a martial arts-related experience on my 1st trip to Tokyo! I came across this academy... upon discovering it was Tennen Rishin-ryu (there's a Shinsengumi character from Kenshin too!), I knew I definitely had to book a class. I was the only student today. Time flew too quickly when you're focused on learning. Masubuchi-sensei taught in English, so it's easy for foreigners to follow. I'd have loved to come back for follow-up classes but my hotel is about 45mins away and I had limited time in Tokyo, but I'd definitely recommend this experience anytime!
The sword school of the Shinsengumi lives on
Juliana I,,May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a dream come true and an exciting experience for me as a beginner. I am pleased the Tennen Rishin School is preserved. The teachers are kind.
Authentic Samurai training
meigof2024,,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We signed up as three adults and were given permission for my 7 year old son to stay and watch. The place was close to the train station stop and we walked there via google maps. The place was clearly marked. We took our shoes off and went up the stairs to the dojo. There were two instructors who were so kind and patient. They even had my son participate with the wooden sword. He had to sit out at the second half with the metal swords. We got to slice some rolled up straw. It was an empowering experience. The instructors gave us a demonstration of fighting. Highly recommend this place. We traveled an hour and a half by train from Taito-to. So worth it.
Tennen Rishin-ryu Swordplay Experience
Mobile53161972411,,Oct 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You can actually hit and receive a wooden sword from the Tennen Rishin school, and experience the timing and maneuvering with your opponent. It was a wonderful experience to be enthusiastically instructed by Kumidai and Shisaki.
Novices are OK
Daydream08969187216,,Sep 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I experienced it as one of my solo trips. I had never played kendo before, so it was my first time to grip both bamboo and wooden swords. He taught me very, very carefully, so I was able to experience it very well. The final test-slash was also killed quickly. Thank you so much for the experience.
Recommendations over going to Kyoto
26yumam,,Jul 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00His teacher, a descendant of the Shinsengumi, tells him that swordplay is very interesting. I enjoyed learning the basics of Japanese martial arts. For overseas tourists, I would Recommendation to visit here rather than Kyoto.
It was great fun learning the secrets of swordplay!
Dreamer62664090614,,Jul 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Swordsmanship is very interesting, taught by a teacher who is a descendant of Shinsengumi. I really enjoyed learning the basics of Japanese martial arts. It was an experience that I couldn't do in Japan, but if I could do it at a reasonable price, I wanted to do it again. I would also like to Recommendation those who come from overseas to visit here rather than Kyoto.
Impressive experience Learning from the Descendants of the “Last Samurai” Shinsengumi: Historical Swordplay
Curious01493402914,,Jul 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The descendants of the “Last Samurai” Shinsengumi gave me a rare opportunity to teach swordplay directly. It was a heart-warming experience. In fact, I was able to experience the Tennen Rishin school, which has been handed down since the Edo period, at the dojo where training is still held. He had no experience in martial arts, but after learning the basics of swordplay, he tried his hand at a sword and was able to succeed. It was truly a valuable experience in this day and age, when there are very few opportunities to deal seriously. Since I want my own children to experience swordplay, I would also like to have a Swordplay Experience Program for children.
An amazing experience!
Anonymous,,Jul 6, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00I went today and had a wonderful time! I always wanted to learn to use the sword so I was really looking forward to it! It was fun, I learned a lot and got 2 amazing teachers! Thank you so much! Definitely going again ~
I'm very happy with the SAMURAI experience beyond my wildest dreams.
Roving36589454180,,Jul 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It is 6-dan with 30 years of Kendo experience. I went there when I heard that I could do a serious test-slicing, but the experience went way beyond what I had expected. When you arrive at the dojo, you are greeted by the fifth head of the direct line of Genzaburo Inoue, the leader of the sixth squad of the Shinsengumi, and the descendants of Soji Okita of the Shinsengumi. They are both gentle and elegant teachers. However, once the experience of the Tennen Rishin-ryu “rehearsals” begin, you will be overwhelmed by its power. When you see the fighting moves and sword muscles to make sure you defeat your opponent without being beaten, and experience the "form" of the Tennen Rishin-ryu, you realize that swordplay is the ultimate form of killing each other. Tennen Rishin-ryū was full of the awesomeness of kill-or-be-killed actual swordplay not found in modern Kendo. A serious tatami-maki trial-slicing experience gives you a real sense of the tension and sharpness radiated by a serious tatami-maki, and makes you feel deeply emotional. In summary, what we've actually done is: １． Warm welcome at the dojo ２． Tennen Rishin-ryu swordplay training experience ３． Serious Test Slayer However, I was surprised at the level of fulfillment that would not be communicated in writing. Did the seriousness and authenticity of the teachers change time and space to another level? It was something I had never seen or experienced in my life (beware of muscle pain the next day). At my age, I never thought I'd feel this way. From the bottom of my heart, I am very satisfied.
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