Step into Arashiyama Ninja House in Kyoto and cast your own real metal shuriken through a traditional casting process — then shape, polish, and take home a unique piece made by your own hands.
Inside the workshop, away from the crowds of Arashiyama, you will enter an immersive space filled with the atmosphere of fire, metal, and careful craftsmanship. This is not just a sightseeing stop, but a hands-on cultural experience where you become the maker.
Your experience begins with an introduction to the hidden weapon culture of Japan's samurai and ninja era, as well as the basics of metal casting. While swords symbolised the samurai, smaller tools and weapons such as shuriken and kunai played a different role in the secretive world of the ninja. Guided by staff, you will then begin creating your own piece step by step.
The standard plan includes one mini shuriken. If you would like to create a kunai or a larger full-size shuriken instead, paid upgrade options are available on-site (subject to availability). Whichever you choose, you can customise details such as the silhouette and finish to create something that feels uniquely yours. Next, you will prepare the mould using traditional casting methods and specialised materials. This process requires focus and care, because the shape of the mould determines the final result.
The highlight of the experience is the metal-pouring stage. Watch solid metal melt into a bright, silvery liquid, then carefully pour it into the mould under guidance. The heat, shine, and transformation make this one of the most memorable moments of the workshop.
After the metal cools and hardens, you will move on to the finishing stage. Using tools to smooth and polish the surface, you will gradually reveal the final shape and shine of your handmade piece. As it comes to life in your hands, it becomes more than an object—it becomes a personal keepsake connected to your time in Kyoto.
At the end of the experience, you will take home your completed metal shuriken as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. More than a typical gift-shop item, it is a piece you designed and made yourself at Arashiyama Ninja House.
