SHOGUN STUDIO JAPAN - HOTEL EMION KYOTO STUDIO, operated by SHOGUN Inc., opened on the first floor of Hotel Emion KYOTO, one train stop from Kyoto Station, on August 8, 2026.
The venue lets guests wear authentic samurai armor or luxurious hand-painted Kyo-Yuzen kimono while enjoying a tea ceremony in an authentic tea room and photography by a professional photographer. Armor comes in adult and children's sizes, welcoming couples, friends, families and larger groups alike, with consultations available for guests interested in purchasing armor.
Arashiyama for Location Shoots, Hotel Emion KYOTO for Cultural Experiences
Hotel Emion KYOTO, approximately a two-minute walk from JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station.
The Arashiyama flagship store focuses on location photography at bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, shrines and mountain settings. The Hotel Emion KYOTO studio, by contrast, is a cultural experience facility where guests can enjoy armor, kimono, tea ceremony and photography all in one place. Since it is less affected by weather and requires less travel, it's easy to work into a Kyoto trip.
Authentic Samurai Armor Used in Films and TV Dramas
Guests can wear authentic armor inspired by warlords such as Tokugawa Ieyasu and Takeda Shingen. The armor comes from Marutake, an armor workshop whose work has appeared in films, TV dramas and Taiga dramas. While taking in the detailed craftsmanship and the weight of the armor, guests can pose with swords or bows for photos taken by a professional photographer.
A Samurai Experience for the Whole Family, From Adults to Children
In addition to adult sizes, the studio offers finely crafted children's armor. Staff help choose the right fit and assist with dressing based on age and build, so even first-timers, including children, can take part with ease.
It's a great option for family trip keepsakes as well as photos to mark birthdays, school entrance ceremonies, graduations and other milestones.
Children's armor is available alongside adult sizes, so the whole family can enjoy the samurai experience together.
Armor Purchase Consultations Available After Trying It On
SHOGUN Inc. is an official dealer for armor maker Marutake Sangyo. After examining the finish, material and weight of the armor at the studio, guests can consult about a purchase. The team supports selecting armor suited to purposes such as personal collecting, display at stores or hotels, photo and video production, and events.
Luxurious Hand-Painted Kyo-Yuzen, Kyoto's Traditional Beauty
Hand-painted Kyo-Yuzen kimono, dyed piece by piece by Kyoto artisans, are also available. Known for vivid colors and delicate patterns, the collection includes pieces valued at roughly JPY 1.8 million. Guests can wear a kimono with real dignity and presence while experiencing Kyoto's traditional beauty through tea ceremony and photography.
Samurai and Kimono Meet Tea Ceremony in an Authentic Tea Room
In the facility's authentic tea room, guests can wear armor or hand-painted Kyo-Yuzen kimono while experiencing tea ceremony guided by teachers from schools including Urasenke, Omotesenke and Yabunouchi. It's a chance to encounter the spirit of tea ceremony, its beautiful movements and the enjoyment of matcha.
SHOGUN TEA CEREMONY | Tea Ceremony Experience
Learn tea ceremony etiquette and spirit from teachers including those of Kyoto's Urasenke school, and discover history such as the connection between samurai and tea. Guests enjoy a tea gathering led by a teacher while learning tea ceremony etiquette and spirit, along with the ties between samurai and the way of tea. Interpretation is included, making it easy to follow for first-timers and overseas visitors alike.
Plan includes:
- Tea gathering experience in armor or kimono
- Five professional photos taken during the experience, included as a gift
- Wagashi from Kyoto's long-established confectioner Sasaya Iori
Price: JPY 18,000 → Sale price JPY 13,000 (tax included), per person and up
SHOGUN MATCHA EXPERIENCE | Hands-On Tea-Whisking Experience
Learn to prepare matcha yourself under the guidance of a tea ceremony teacher.
A teacher shows guests how to use a chasen whisk and prepare usucha (thin tea), and guests whisk their own matcha. The matcha guests prepare can be enjoyed together with a classic Kyoto confection.
Plan includes:
- Tea-whisking experience in armor or kimono
- Five professional photos taken during the experience, included as a gift
- Wagashi from Kyoto's long-established confectioner Sasaya Iori
Price: JPY 16,500 → Sale price JPY 12,000 (tax included), per person and up
Sasaya Iori was founded in the mid-Edo period and has more than 300 years of history as a long-established Kyoto confectioner. Guests can enjoy its traditional Kyoto wagashi and matcha in the authentic tea room.
Professional Studio Photography Also Available
In addition to the tea ceremony experience, professional studio photography (10 or more photos) is available for an additional JPY 8,500 (tax included). With proper studio lighting, the shoot brings out the power of the armor and the color and pattern of the Kyo-Yuzen kimono for a portrait worth keeping.
For Families, Couples and Friends Visiting Kyoto
Guests can enjoy a personal samurai experience using items such as swords and spears.
Choose armor or kimono to suit each person's age and taste, and enjoy tea ceremony and photography together. Guests can also be photographed in different outfits from one another, making it a great way to create a special memory of a Kyoto trip.
Also Available for Travel Agencies and Group Bookings
The studio also accepts group reservations from travel agencies, hotels, companies, schools, incentive tours and more. Plans combining armor, children's armor, kimono, ninja, tea ceremony, matcha and photography can be proposed to match group size, schedule and requests.
Facility Overview
Name: SHOGUN STUDIO JAPAN - HOTEL EMION KYOTO STUDIO
Opened: August 8, 2026
Address: Hotel Emion KYOTO 1F, 20-4 Sujaku Donokuchicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Access: Approx. 2 minutes on foot from Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station on the JR Sagano Line
Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Capacity: 1 guest to large groups
Languages: Japanese and English
Payment: Credit cards and various cashless payment methods
Services: Armor, children's armor, ninja, kimono, tea ceremony, matcha, photography, and armor sales
Website: https://shogunstudiojapan.com
