Experience Traditional So-jutsu
Coming to Nara City always means having more choises for your great experience in Japan. There’s plenty to do here and we’re always trying to notch up one more. Japanese traditional art of spear, or So-jutsu, is just one of the latest cool things to experience in Nara.
Discover your inner Samurai spirit in So-jutsu with this unique immersion into Japanese “Bushido” tradition and culture.
Available Dates For 2026
The So-jutsu Experience is available on:
Saturday
About Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu, the Art of Spear
Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu is a martial art that originated in Nara about 470 years ago. It is said that Kakuzenbo In’ei, the head monk of Hozo-in, a branch temple of Kofukuji, was inspired to create techniques for a cross-shaped spear (Kama-yari) upon seeing the reflection of the crescent moon crossing over his spear on Sarusawa pond.
During Edo period, Hozoin-ryu held away over the minds of people as the strongest style of spearmanship.
Since 1976, Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha Sojutsu has been transmitted in Nara, its place of origin, from Tokyo. Numerous practioners have continued to train at the Nara headquarters as well as in Nagoya, Tokyo, Kyoto, Shikoku,
Hamburg(Germany),Tronto(Canada) and Florida(USA) .
Especially, Kama-yari had been said as the strongest weapon in Japan. Master Inchou expressed it in his poem.
“Thrust as a spear, sweep as a Naginata*, reap as a sickle. In any case, it will never miss.”
(*Naginata: Japanese traditional glaive)
★The original poem in Japanese : “突けば槍 薙げば薙刀 引けば鎌 とにもかくにも外れざりけり” .
(How to pronounce: Tsukeba Yari, Nageba Naginata, Hikeba Kama, Tonimo-kakunimo hazure-zari-keri. )
What the Nara So-jutsu Experience is About
The Nara So-jutsu Experience is full immersion into the Spirit of Bushido. With friendly master & experts on hand, you’ll learn some basic So-jutsu principles and spirit of So-jutsu.
Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu has the traditional firm frame and also the flexibility belong time passing. Its spirit and soul, with its long history of over 470 years, are great humane wisdom still now.
You are able to know about them through this Experience with polite and friendly master & experts.
How to Book your So-jutsu Experience in Nara
A booking for this activity is required, which you can do through this page. The event is in cooperation with Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha So-jutsu. It takes place in Rohto Nara Martial Arts Arena, a 20-minute walk due north of Kintetsu Nara Station. There’s a Starbucks close by for early birders.
*Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance and up to 3 days before the experience day
- Day : Saturday
- Joiners : 1 to 6 people
- Start : 10 AM (about 2hrs: lecture 30mins. practice 1h30mins)
- Fee : 12,000 yen (*A part of your payment is helping to Oak Planting Project of Hozoin-ryu.)
- Restrictions : Minimum age requirement - 7 yrs old and above
- You have to be barefoot in this activity.
Bookings are not available on Japanese Public Holidays. For a list of public holidays in Japan, click here.
*Please note
★You have to be barefoot in this activity.
★November-April will be cold in the Dojo Field. The Dojo only has wooden floor. If you are comfortable with these conditions, we welcome you to make bookings during the colder months.
What Should I Bring?
Please prepare these items for this experience:
(1) Comfortable clothes (T-shirt, long sleeves T-shirt, short pants, jogger pants etc…)
*unsuitable : heavy fabrics (ex : denim, leather), skirt, revealing clothing
*There’s no uniform for your acitivity. At taking commeorative photo time, we’ll provide you imitated uniform.
(2) A towel
(3) Something to drink (There’re some vending machines around the venue.)
(4)Change of clothes (Especially in warm and hot season, you’ll sweat.)
Venue
This So-jutsu Experience is held at Rohto Nara Martial Arts Arena in Rohto Konoike Sports Park. There’s a map at the bottom of this post. It’s about a 25minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station or alternatively, you can catch a Nara Kotsu Bus from platform 13 outside Kintetsu Nara Station. Buses 115, 209 or 210 will take you there. You will need to get off the bus at Shiei Kyujo Bus Stop (市営球場). The fare is ¥250.
Keep an eye out for the big Starbucks on the right-hand side.
Address: 4 Chome 1-2, Horensahoyama, Nara, 630-8108
This is quite an exceptional thing to do in Nara and time slots are limited. So, make sure to contact with us for specific dates and to secure your place in the So-jutsu activity. The event is in Japanese and English only.
*Although the instructors speak some English, they may make use of electronic translation devices to ensure they can thoroughly impart their knowledge, wisdom, techniques, and etiquette related to So-jutsu and Bushido. The experts are eager to share their knowledge and wisdom, so should you want to go deep down that rabbit hole, you’ll be guided all the way down to the bottom.
Unique, fun, engaging, and memorable
This So-jutsu experience is one of the unique and fun activities in Nara. You get the full run of a traditional Dojo and the opportunity to practice with expert instructors.
Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu, the art of spear, in Japan
Through the innovation of weaponry since 14th century, it became main weaponry by 17th century. Although, after 19th century, the weaponry got huge revolution to firearms. Because of that, almost of So-jutsu schools declined or disconnected.
Hozoin-ryu is one of schools that connected still now.
The characters of Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu are the thin, short spear and the cross-shaped blade. Short spear (Kama-yari) might be considered as a disadvantage. However, the advantage of Hozoin-ryu’s spear will be unmistakable in a bout by employing the principles of the style, Ensui (cone), Irimi (entering) and Kama (cross-shaped blades).
Kama-yari, the cross-shped spear with its 8 blades can thrust, sweep and reap, making it the strongest weapon. Thus, by combining the various attacking and defending techniques of this weapon, our style developed into the repesentative art of Japan.
Questions and Answers about So-jutsu
① Is So-jutsu popular in Japan?
Actually, So-jutsu isn’t popular even in Japan. The main reason is the huge revolution of weapon after 19th century. Add to it, Hozo-in Temple, the original place of Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu, was distincted by the goverment in Meiji era. On the other hand, some masters had tried to connect its techniques and spirit.
After 1976, the base moved to Nara and we continue to expand So-jutsu.
②Do we use real spear on the practice?
No, you don’t need to use a real spear. Even masters don’t use real ones because So-jutsu practice is not a battle.
For the practice or the public performance, you use Keiko-Yari, a spear for practice, made by oak wood.
You may be able to see genuine spear during our Experience activity!
③Can female people join this Experience activity?
Of course, female people can join this activity! Welcome to our Experience time.
Actually, female people couldn’t join any practice of So-jutsu for over 460 years until 2017. Although, Hozoin-ryu So-jutsu accept female people as a practitioner. Now, there’re a lot of females in Hozoin-ryu.
④What is the artistic beauty of So-jutsu?
So-jutsu had been a weapon for high class Bushi for a long time. During the while, spears were made as the luxuary art. It means the artistry is the symbol of honor of Bushi.
Beacause of it, many masters of Japanese traditional art had made very artistic spears with their spcial methods and techniques.
⑤What is Oak Planting Project of Hozoin-ryu?
Hozoin-ryu Takada-ha So-jutsu is promoting Oak Planting Project for keeping the ingredient, oak called Hanaga-gashi, for genuine Keiko-yari. Recently, this oak is rare species because it grows only in very small area in Kyushu.
We hope to revive genuine Keiko-yari by this oak for praticioners in 50 year or 100 year future. Add to it, we also hope every people cares for great natures and environment on the earth through this project.
It’s our treasure and tradition must be kept for children in the future .
*We accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience arising from your participation in or attendance at this event.
**It may take some time to get a response to your inquiries, so please be patient.
- Nara City General Foundation
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13-1 Sanjo - Hommachi, Nara City,
Nara Prefecture, 630-8122