Home / Osaka / The one to book
Samurai Training Experience KENDO in Osaka
A two-hour kendo lesson in a real Osaka dojo, in armour, taught in English — the most-reviewed bookable experience at any port on this site.
US$128 each · US$256 for two · needs a 5h call · Taxi ~25 min from the ship · 5.0★ · 598 reviews
Most listings: no payment today, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices are the operator's "from" price as of .
Why we would book it for you
- 593 reviews averaging 5.0 is the deepest record of any tour we list, and the format is a lesson rather than a costume session: posture, footwork and strikes first, photographs after.
- It is indoors and runs in any weather, so on a wet Osaka call it is one of the few plans that cannot be spoiled.
- Two hours fits inside a half-day from the Tempozan berth with time left for Dotonbori.
Best for: Families with teenagers and anyone who wants one hands-on piece of Japanese culture rather than another viewpoint.
Your day, on the 07:00–18:00 call most ships here keep
Times are the window the fitting calls on the official schedule use. Your ship's daily programme wins.
- 07:00Alongside. Half an hour to get off the ship.
- 07:30Off the ship. Taxi ~25 min from the ship.
- 09:30The tour ends (2 hours). Head back to the gangway.
- 17:00Be back at the gangway. 450 minutes of margin on this window.
- 17:30All-aboard (usually 30 minutes before departure at 18:00).
Fits 14 upcoming calls on the official schedule, including Star Seeker (10/16), Celebrity Millennium (10/19), Seabourn Encore (10/22).
6 more experiences in Osaka
Kayaks, workshops and walks, each with a page saying why it is listed and who should skip it.
Fits most callsCalligraphy Workshop in Namba, DotonboriUS$49 each · US$98 for twoTaxi ~20 min from the shipneeds a 5h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 61 reviewsWhy it is on this site →
Fits most callsOsaka Day Tour: Secret Spots & Local TreasuresUS$42 each · US$84 for twoTaxi ~20 min from the shipneeds a 6h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 60 reviewsWhy it is on this site →
Fits most callsTraditional Mochi Pounding ExperienceUS$32 each · US$64 for twoTaxi ~20 min from the shipneeds a 4h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 57 reviewsWhy it is on this site →
Fits most callsPrivate Osaka Tour from Your Hotel with Local GuideUS$110 each · US$220 for twoHotel pickup onlyneeds an 8h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 96 reviewsWhy it is on this site →
Fits most callsRamen Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori with Sushi or Gyoza OptionUS$71 each · US$142 for twoTaxi ~20 min from the shipneeds a 6h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 84 reviewsWhy it is on this site →
Fits most callsKimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka UmedaUS$78 each · US$156 for twoTaxi ~20 min from the shipneeds a 6h call · fits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 62 reviewsWhy it is on this site →What could go wrong
It is physical — kneeling, standing and striking for two hours — so ask the operator about any mobility limits first. The dojo is by Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome station, not near the port, so allow subway time both ways.
Before you book
What if our ship is late?
The operator's own cancellation terms: "For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time." Tell the guide your all-aboard time when you book and again when you meet; a late arrival is the time to use that margin, not to shorten the hour before all-aboard.
Do we pay now?
Most Viator listings let you reserve now and pay later, and cancel free up to 24 hours before the start. The listing says which applies to this one.
Where exactly do we meet?
Taxi ~25 min from the ship. The operator's words: Meets at the dojo by Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome station. There is no pickup from the ship: allow the walk or ride from the gangway in your timing.
Is it all right for someone who walks slowly?
It is physical — kneeling, standing and striking for two hours — so ask the operator about any mobility limits first. The dojo is by Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome station, not near the port, so allow subway time both ways.
Booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We earn a commission; you pay the same price. It never decides what we recommend, which is why the think-twice section is there.