Nagano Zenkoji Temple and Samurai Experience
Description
Explore the rich history of Zenkoji Temple, a 1,400-year-old site nestled in Nagano City. Walk along the ancient stone paths trodden by pilgrims and Samurai, immersing yourself in the spiritual essence of Japan. Then, transform into a Samurai apprentice in a traditional setting, where a Master Samurai instructor will guide you through katana techniques and postures. Dressed in a yukata and hakama, enjoy striking poses and learn the art of the warrior in an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a Samurai film. Capture unforgettable moments with photos and videos, ensuring this unique experience stays with you long after you leave.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Zenkoji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples. For over 1,400 years, people from across the country have come here to pray, reflect, or simply soak in its peaceful atmosphere. Zenkoji Temple also houses one of the oldest Buddhist statues in Japan, believed to have arrived from India centuries ago. The approach to Zenkoji is part of the experience. Lined with traditional inns, quaint shops, and cozy cafés, it invites visitors to linger and take part in the local atmosphere.
Located 5 min walk from the Niomon Gate lies a Japanese traditional style room where you’ll step into the past. Here, a Master Samurai instructor will teach you the foundations of katana handling and posture—emphasizing grace, discipline, and fun! Dressed in your own Samurai-style outfit, including yukata (light kimono), hakama pants and sword, you’ll strike poses, learn attack and defense stances. All levels are welcome, and the experience is built around enjoyment and self-expression.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your guide will be waiting near the small Olympic cauldron in Nagano Central Square.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note that the stairs leading to the samurai experience venue are short, but steep and narrow. If you have any accessibility needs, kindly inform us in advance.
- In Japan, authentic katanas are classified as illegal weapons under strict licensing laws. Tourists can see them in museums or specialty shops, but theatrical swords are widely used in performances, training, and during our samurai experience.
- This activity focuses on proper sword techniques and kata accessible to all including families. It does not involve any type of slicing or cutting of objects.
- There is no minimum age requirements
- Children less than 6 years old can participate for free (kid’s outfits and foam swords are included at no additional fees)
Reviews(9)
This is an unbelievable tour , our guide Graeme was incredible, his knowledge was second to none and everything was explained in extensive detail. This tour included plenty of food specific to the region in the lead up to the temple. Our Samurai was amazingly skilled and took the time ro really go over every single movement and allowing time to perfect it. All together this is extraordinary, would recommend to anyone
Thank you for your kind words! We are very pleased to hear that you had a pleasant time on your tour and experience. We strive to provide the fun experience accompanied with deep knowledge and the attention to detail you mention here. Thank you for recommending us to others, and we hope to see you again in Nagano someday!
I had an absolutely fantastic time. The tour with Tom was insightful and very informative. The samurai experience also very fun and I learned some basic sword movements. Personally for me it was a real eye opener. Sensei was great and very knowledgeable. I 100% recommend this tour and experience to anyone with an interest in Japanese history. Totally worth the money.
Thank you very much for the great review and the recommendation! We are happy to hear that you had a fantastic time and that your tour was interesting. It is wonderful that you enjoyed learning how to use a katana at the Samurai experience, as well. We are happy to know that you felt the tour was worth it and hope that your memories last a lifetime!
Amazing experience, our guide Kei was amazing. We experienced the Zenkoji temple, learn their customs and managed to catch an ongoing ceremony, then went on to sample the famous matcha icecream and try out different sake at the local brewery. The best part was learning samurai moves. How to draw your swords, attack and block in the full outfit. An experienced samurai master he made us travel back in time, we felt grand as samurai and are grateful for this wonderful experience which would not have been possible without our wonderful guide Kei. The best way to learn and appreciate culture with a local! Arigato gosaimasu Kei
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are very pleased to hear that you saw a ceremony at Zenkoji! As you said, the Samurai Experience makes you step back in time and enjoy the culture of Japan not just as it is today, but as well as the depth of culture we have spanning different time periods. We are very happy knowing that you had a fun and fulfilling day with us. We hope to see you in Nagano again someday!
Highly recommend!! The samurai experience was amazing - Kei sensei is a very kind, fun and detailed teacher. I really appreciated his willingness to review the specifics of each move and take the time to help me perfect the different movements covered in the class. It was such a cool and fun experience! And the location is great too. Tucked away in an old house, you really feel like you go back in time. My guide Tom was incredibly knowledge about the temple and history of the area (and all Japan!), which was a huge plus since this was my first stop on my trip. He taught me the significance of the various Shinto/Buddhist gods and even made time to show me how the temple stamps/goshuin work. He even went above and beyond by providing recs for the best oyaki buns in the city, transportation advice, and even provided insider recs for the rest of my time in Japan. So grateful!! Would honestly do this again if I come back to the area in the future (gotta further hone my samurai skills and show Kei sensei how much I’ve improved with more practice ;) ).
Thank you for joining us! Kei sensei takes samurai training seriously, and it sounds like he gave you the focus you needed to work through the movements. The old house does help set the right atmosphere. Our guides enjoy guiding people through Zenkoji and putting the temple into context, especially when it's your first stop in Japan. Glad the oyaki and goshuin recommendations worked out. We appreciate you sharing all this. We'd be happy to have you back for another session with Kei sensei. Safe travels, and hope the rest of your trip went well.
Highly recommend!! The samurai experience was amazing - Kei sensei is a very kind, fun and detailed teacher. I really appreciated his willingness to review the specifics of each move and take the time to help me perfect the different movements covered in the class. It was such a cool and fun experience! And the location is great too. Tucked away in an old house, you really feel like you go back in time. My guide Tom was incredibly knowledge about the temple and history of the area (and all Japan!), which was a huge plus since this was my first stop on my trip. He taught me the significance of the various Shinto/Buddhist gods and even made time to show me how the temple stamps/goshuin work. He even went above and beyond by providing recs for the best oyaki buns in the city, transportation advice, and even provided insider recs for the rest of my time in Japan. So grateful!! Would honestly do this again if I come back to the area in the future (gotta further hone my samurai skills and show Kei sensei how much I’ve improved with more practice ;) ).
Thank you for spending the day with us! Kei sensei takes the samurai training seriously, and it sounds like he gave you the time and attention to really work through the movements. The old house does help set the tone for the experience. Our guides enjoy walking people through Zenkoji and the broader context of what you're seeing, especially when it's your first stop in Japan. Good to hear the oyaki and goshuin tips came in handy. We appreciate you taking the time to share all this. We'd be happy to see you back for another round with Kei sensei. Safe travels, and hope the rest of your trip went well.
Kei is a very knowledgeable man, the temple tour was very thorough, and he answered all my questions. The samurai experience was something I will never forget because of how good of a teacher he is. 10/10 would recommend
Thank you for sharing with us. We’re pleased to hear that your time at Zenkoji Temple and the samurai experience left a lasting impression. Having a guide who can offer clarity and depth often makes all the difference. We appreciate the recommendation and hope the rest of your travels were just as great.
Excellent experience, great walk and explanation around Nagano temples, and the Samurai experience is really enjoyable and a great learning experience
Thank you for your review. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the walk through Nagano and found both the temple visit and samurai experience rewarding. We appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again.
The samaraii experience is amazing and Tom our guide was very informative and knowledgeable.Well worth the trip.
Thank you for joining us at Zenkoji! We're glad the samurai experience made the trip worthwhile and that Tom could give you the cultural context behind what you were seeing and doing. Hope to welcome you back to Nagano.
Absolutely loved the Samurai experience, Kei explained everything very carefully and we learnt a lot, Tom our guide was excellent had a huge amount of local knowledge and being Canadian could understand his English!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed connecting with Japan's martial tradition through the samurai experience. Kei is careful with his explanations, and it sounds like you got a lot out of the session. Tom has lived in the area for years and genuinely enjoys sharing what he knows about his adopted home. We're pleased his storytelling and insights helped bring the sights to life for you. Thank you for joining us.
