Tozando Gion-Yasaka Store — Local services in Kyoto

During my recent trip to Kyoto, I had the chance to partake in a Tameshigiri experience at Tozando, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The experience was both educational and fun, offering a deep dive into the traditional Japanese art of test-cutting with a katana.

The session started with a thorough introduction of proper techniques for handling a katana. The instructors were highly knowledgeable and attentive, ensuring safety while emphasizing the cultural roots of this ancient practice.

Once we got to the practical part, it was exhilarating. Under expert guidance, we practiced various cutting techniques on rolled tatami mats, simulating traditional targets. The instructors made sure to provide feedback, which helped me improve with each attempt. It felt empowering to wield a katana and see the results of applying precise technique.

What made the experience even better was the balance between learning and enjoyment. While the activity itself required focus and respect, the instructors created a relaxed atmosphere, making it fun and accessible for participants of all skill levels. I left the session feeling not only more knowledgeable about Japanese swordsmanship but also with a sense of accomplishment.

Overall, I would highly recommend this Tameshigiri experience to anyone visiting Kyoto. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a martial arts fan, or simply looking for something unique and memorable to do, this is an experience not...

The shop has a wide variety of katanas for display, these ones don't have a sharpened edge and you can't sharpen it either. They also sell real katanas from the Edo period, real samurai armors, tanto, wakisashi, and tiny katanas as letter openers. Upstairs you can pay to use a real katana and cut a rolled up tatami mat with it. A sensei of iaido will teach you how to hold it and how to cut, starting with a fake one first and then giving you the real sword. He was a very good teacher and kind, he answered all of my questions and I got very cool photos and videos of my training. It lasts around 15 minutes but it's totally worth it if you ever want to use a...

We were really curious about this kind of store, and since we planned our trip, we were really looking forward to visiting. The place is beautiful; whether you like this kind of stuff or not, it is something you have to see. It is quite interesting. Even better, Mark, the store manager, took the time to give us a great explanation about the katanas; it was really nice! They also offer classes on how to use a katana. Honestly, I am not sure if the price is fair, as we do not have a comparison point, but anyhow, we bought a few things. Even better, they offer the service to ship the katanas straight to your address; that's really helpful. It was a...