Osaka Kendo Training Workshop with Samurai Photo Session

I took my daughter (she’s 11) and my son (17) along, and since I’m 50, finding something everyone actually gets into is rare. This turned out to be perfect. The staff helped my usually-shy daughter join in and by the end she was brave enough for a friendly match, while my son had an awesome outlet for his energy. The dojo’s tucked away in a quiet Osaka lane that felt totally safe, and you really get a sense of local life walking there. The place itself was modern but decorated with lots of samurai touches and cool photos, so you get a bit of history when you step in. Changing rooms upstairs were spotless, and we got shorts and shirts to use under the armor plus some wipes for after. Toshi led the session with a nice mix of humor and clear instructions, and the assistant helped out with translating and photos. We started off in traditional kendo outfits, learned a little about its background with a fun picture book, and got to take some photos with props. The armor was lighter than I expected and didn’t feel claustrophobic, even with the headgear. At the end, anyone who wanted could take part in a little match—no pressure if you wanted to sit out. Our family got to spar with each other and the teacher, and the armor really kept us safe, even after some solid hits from my teenager. Watching my daughter open up and hearing her do the warrior yell was such a proud moment, and me and my son got a little competitive too! Later that night, photos and videos landed in my inbox—was so happy they were included at no extra cost. Honestly, this is one of the best things I’ve done with my kids, no complaints at all. Absolutely recommend it.

Winding through some cozy backstreets of Osaka, we found ourselves at this unique spot for our family Kendo experience. The venue looked fresh but was packed with samurai memorabilia and displays, which set the mood perfectly. Changing areas were spotless, and we were handed shorts and shirts to wear under the armor, plus wipes for after. I went with my kids—my 11-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son, and honestly, it’s tough finding stuff we’ll all actually get into, but this was a win. My daughter started out shy but really came out of her shell, even joining a little match at the end. My son got to burn off some energy, too. We started by slipping into the Kendo gear, then learned a bit of history with a picture book for reference—not too long, just enough detail. After that, we struck a few poses for photos and grabbed some props, then jumped into learning the core Kendo etiquette and moves. Putting the armor on was easier than I expected, and even the helmet felt fine. At the end, we could try a short sparring match—one in our group skipped it, nobody made a big deal out of it. I mostly ended up sparring with my son and the instructor, not random folks. The rounds are brief but get your heart pumping, and the armor kept me safe even when my teenager swung pretty hard. They sent us the photos and videos afterwards (which I thought would cost extra, but nope, totally included), and honestly, it was nice to see myself looking semi-cool in front of my kids. I can’t think of a single thing I’d want changed—definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done with my kids.

Took my 11-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son, and honestly, finding something all ages and personalities enjoy isn’t easy. But this activity really pulled it off—my shy daughter even went for a friendly match by the end, and my son channeled his energy in a good way. The location sits down a few backstreets, which gives you a nice peek at daily Osaka, and it always felt safe. Inside, it’s neat and modern but packed with cool samurai gear and old photos that set the mood. Changing areas are clean, and you get fresh clothes to borrow. The crew running things were friendly, helpful, and made instructions clear, with someone stepping in to translate and share stories about samurai. The actual session covers history, practice, and a bit of a fun competition if you’re up for it—no pressure if not. The armor was comfortable (I was worried it’d feel weird but it didn’t), and they kept things moving at a steady pace. Getting a bunch of free photos at the end was a big plus too! My family left smiling, and it’s probably one of the most fun things we’ve done together in a while.

This was easily one of the coolest things we did while in Japan! Toshi and Kumiko were just awesome. They gave us a bunch of background on samurai history, explained how Kendo is still influenced by their values, and talked a lot about respect and proper manners in the dojo. We picked up a ton and had a super fun time, honestly. They were really sweet and took their time with our two kids, making sure everyone got to join in and felt comfortable. Practicing Kendo with Toshi was probably my favorite part! He didn’t go full force on us, but wow, his moves and speed were pretty wild to watch up close. Seriously, this whole thing was better than we even hoped for, and our hosts couldn’t have been nicer. We’ll be looking back at the photos and videos from this day for a long time. Can’t recommend it enough if you want something both unique and fun in Japan!

Been into karate for ages and have always been curious about all things samurai, so I was seriously hyped for this—and it totally lived up to it! Our instructor let us know kendo’s no joke, but also cracked jokes and made us feel at ease. He clearly knows his stuff and keeps the session upbeat. What stood out most is how this was the real deal, not just some touristy photo op. We actually got to practice in a real way, which meant a lot to me. My girlfriend had a blast too, especially since she got to land a few hits! She even started thinking about joining classes back home. Massive thanks to our teachers for making it such a memorable day. I’d say just about anyone could enjoy this, even if you’ve never done martial arts before. Easily one of the best things we did in Japan.