Samurai Ninja Museum & Tea Ceremony Experience, Kyoto

Step back in time to Edo-era Kyoto with this half-day, hands-on experience that's ideal for families and groups. Start at the Samurai Ninja Museum, where your guide will lead you through fascinating exhibits dedicated to these iconic medieval warriors. You'll have the chance to don your own samurai armor, learn to hold a katana (sword), and test your skills with ninja throwing stars before posing for some memorable photos. Then it's time to stroll over to the nearby Maikoya Kyoto teahouse, where you'll change into a kimono to savor matcha tea and traditional sweets overlooking formal Japanese gardens.

This immersive, half-day experience starts at Kyoto's Samurai Ninja Museum, where you'll join the rest of your small group for a guided tour through the history of Japan's Edo period and its military nobility. Afterward, it's time to channel your inner warrior as you dress up in traditional samurai hakama (armor), learn the basics of katana training, and discover the secrets of stealthy ninja weapons like shuriken (throwing stars) and fukiya (blowguns). 

When you've finished your training session, take a five-minute stroll to the nearby Maikoya Kyoto, a beautifully restored Edo-era teahouse surrounded by traditional former gardens. Here you'll change into a colorful kimono and take a seat on woven tatami mats as you're guided through a chanoyu (tea ceremony). Learn how this spiritual and artistic ritual is tied to Buddhist meditation, and sip freshly prepared matcha accompanied by a selection of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets and confectionery).