Japan, also described as the country of martial arts, has a wide variety of martial arts.
Studying Martial Arts in Japan
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of martials arts originating in Japan, as well as dojos in Japan, if available. Typically, it’s allowed to visit these dojos freely, but if there’s no mention of it on their website, please contact them in advance. Some dojos may also offer trial experiences.
- Studying Martial Arts in Japan
- List of Martial Arts Dojo Search Sites
- And More…
Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting a Martial Arts Dojo
For any martial art, the dojo is a sacred place. When visiting, please adhere to the rules of each respective dojo. Below are some general etiquettes observed in most dojos:
- Always remove your shoes before entering the dojo.
- When entering the dojo, remove your hat, bow deeply, and then enter.
- During your visit, refrain from speaking loudly or using your mobile phone to avoid disturbing the practitioners. Please ensure your phone is on silent mode.
- If chairs are not provided, you may sit on the floor, but please try to observe proper seiza posture as much as possible while watching.
However, it is generally known that foreigners may find seiza uncomfortable, so I believe they will be understanding if you deviate from it slightly.
- Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited.
List of Martial Arts Dojo Search Sites
This list is categorized by martial arts and their respective schools.
Those without “local” indicated have dojos in three or more regions for the respective martial arts or schools.
柔道 Judo
The martial art with the largest number of practitioners in Japan.
全日本柔道連盟
古流柔術 Traditional Jujutsu (Japanese Jujutsu)
Jujutsu is said to be the origin of Judo, Aikido, and Hoshu-ryu Jujutsu.
Takenouchi Ryu Jujutsu
竹内流柔術 Takenouchi ryu jujutsu (Okayama and Hiroshima prefecture)
Link to the Takenouchi Ryu Jujutsu website
Sekiguchi Ryu Jujutsu
関口流柔術 Sekiguchi ryuu jujutsu (Wakayama and Hyogo prefecture)
Link to the Sekiguchi Shinshin Ryu Jujutsu website
Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu
大東流合気柔術 Daitou ryuu aikijujutsu (Tokyo)
Link to the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu website
Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Takumakai
大東流合気柔術 琢磨会 Daitou ryuu aikijujutsu takumakai (Osaka)
Link to the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Takumakai website
Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu
本體楊心流柔術 Hontai youshin ryu (Hyogo prefecture)
Link to the Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu website
Takagi Ryu Jujutsu and Kukishin-ryu Bojutsu
高木流柔術・九鬼神流棒術 Takagi ryuu jujutsu (Hyogo prefecture)
Link to the Takagi Ryu Jujutsu and Kukishin-ryu Bojutsu website
相撲 Sumo
If the purpose is to learn rather than to watch (for professional sumo), please try finding practice locations from the links below.
Sumo connects to the world of mythsand legends and has a religious ritual aspect of Shinto.
All Japan Sumo Federation
全日本相撲連盟 (zen nihon sumo renmei)
All Japan Sumo Federation
All Japan Sumo Federation Logo
Link to the All Japan Sumo Federation website http://www.nihonsumo-renmei.jp/club/244_komatsu.php
剣道 Kendo
A martial art that utilizes the most commonly used weapon in Japan, a katana.
全日本剣道連盟 (zen nihon kendo ui renmei)
All Japan Kendo Federation https://www.kendo.or.jp/en
合気道 Aikido
A martial art derived from jujutsu and kenjutsu. It emphasizes techniques that utilize the opponent’s force without relying on one’s own strength, making it popular as a self-defense art, particularly among women. Joint locks in a standing position are central.
全日本合気会 (zennihon aikikai)
All Japan Aikido Federation
http://www.aikikai.or.jp/search/index.html
弓道 kyuudo (Japanese archery)
Archery is considered to be the oldest martial art in Japan.
全日本弓道連盟 (zennihon kyudo renmei)
All Japan Archery Federation https://www.kyudo.jp/info/english.html
薙刀 Naginata
The naginata, a Japanese polearm, has a history dating back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD). Initially a weapon for foot soldiers, it became associated with samurai women for self-defense. During the Edo period (1603-1868), it remained a martial art and saw use in warfare. In modern times, it’s practiced worldwide for fitness and cultural value.
全日本なぎなた連盟 (zen nihon naginata urenmei)
All Japan Naginata Federation https://naginata.jp/renmei/contact%20information.html
少林寺拳法 shorinji kenpou
The technical form polished by martial artists who trained in China and brought back to Japan.
◆少林寺拳法連盟 Shorinjikenoourenmei
Shorinji Kempo Federation https://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/where/?mode=federation
空手 Karate
A martial art transmitted from Okinawa to the mainland during the Meiji period. To learn how it was brought to the mainland and how it evolved into modern karate, see our article The Evolution from Okinawan Te to Modern Karate.
In every martial art, alongside swordsmanship, karate has the most diverse schools. Here, I’ll introduce only the All Japan Karate-Do Federation, which has such a solid organizational cohesion that it has become an Olympic sport.
By the way, the oldest organization as a school is Goju-Ryu, and the largest full-contact karate organization is the Kyokushin Kaikan. Since the passing of Soke Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Kaikan, the organization has experienced repeated divisions, leading to a situation where schools claiming the name “Kyokushin” continue to emerge.
For more information about the history of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, see our articles here , here, and here.
全日本空手道連盟 (zen nihon karate dou renmei)
All Japan Karate-Do Federation https://www.jkf.ne.jp/kameidojo
Member Organizations of the All Japan Karate-Do Federation
- 剛柔会 Goujuukai
- 松濤館 Shotokan
- 糸東流 Shitouryuu
- 和道流 Wadouryuu
日本拳法 Nihon kenpo (Japanese Kenpo)
Japanese Kenpo, sometimes refered to as Japanese boxing, is a school derived from Karate that inludes techniques such as vertical punches and throws and ground techniques not typically seen in Karate. The Japanese Self-Defense army uses this. It is governed by the 日本拳法連盟 (Japan Kenpo Federation).
剣術 Kenjutsu
Originating with the Samurai, kenjutsu is a form of swordsmanship and a large umbrella term that now includes kendo and iaido.
◆ 北辰一刀流剣術 (Hokushin Ittoryu Kenjutsu) (Ibaraki)
Hokushinittouryuukenjutsu
◆ 天真正伝香取神道流剣術 (Katorishintouryu Kenjutsu) (Chiba)
Katorishintouryukenjutsu
◆ 立身流兵法 (Tatsumiryuheihoujutsu) (Chiba)
Tatsumiryuheihoujutsu
◆ 小野派一刀流剣術 (Onohaittouryuu kenjutsu) (Tokyo)
◆ 天然理心流剣術 (Tennnen rishinryuu kenjutsu) (Tokyo)
Tennnenrishinryuukenjutsu
◆ 柳生新陰流兵法剣術 (Yagyuushinkageryuu Heihou Kenjutsu)
Yagyuushinkageryuu
◆ 兵法タイ捨流 (Hyouhoutaisharyuu) (Kumamoto)
Hyouhoutaisyaryuu
◆ 兵法二天一流剣術 (Hyohonitenichiryukenjutsu) (Fukuoka)
Hyoho nitenichiryu kenjutsu
◆ 野田派二天一流剣術 (Nodahanitenichiryukenjutsu)
Noda hanitenichiryu kenjutsu
槍術 Soujutsu (Spear)
Originally, the techniques were mastered by upper-class samurai, but since the Meiji period’s sword hunt, the tradition of these techniques has been threatened, and it is said that only a few schools remain.
◆宝蔵院流高田派槍術
居合術 Iaijutsu
It is a martial art centered around the technique of drawing the sword from its scabbard with lightning speed, delivering a single strike to the opponent, followed by additional attacks with the long sword, and then concluding with the blood-shaking final blow and resheathing of the sword.
◆無雙直傅英信流居合術（東京）
◆田宮流居合術（神奈川）
◆水鷗流居合剣法・正木流鎖鎌術（静岡）
捕手術 Toritejutsu (Arrest technique)
37.a捕手術
In the Edo period, Okappiki (police) learned it as a technique to arrest criminals.
◆荒木流拳法(Arakiryukenpo)
https://sites.google.com/site/arakiryukenpo/home/doujou
抜刀道 (Battodo)
The former Japanese Army developed the Toyama-ryu Iaido, which was taught at the Toyama School, as a system of techniques centered around test-cutting. Toyama-ryu Iaido was designed to enable beginners to reach a certain level of proficiency quickly, eliminating the need for highly advanced techniques that only swordsmanship experts could use. In 1977, the All Japan Battodo Federation was established. Battodo, also known as Iai Battodo, differs from traditional Iaido in that test-cutting is a competitive aspect.
◆戸山流居合道(Toyamaryuu battou iaidou)
And More…
The martial arts and schools mentioned above are just a small part, and there are countless martial arts originating from Japan. Referring to each school or dojo would be impossible as there are too many to count.
Full-contact karate various schools,
https://youtu.be/IezeZSAeR-s?si=aaSvqbVjHG3nyPxP
Okinawan karate,
https://youtu.be/5fIWv8MQWdc?si=pPgckkOUJJdjLjwV
Kusarigama,
https://youtu.be/6VweLV6lW8I?si=13nshbYVT0mWSUgy
Ryukyu Kobujutsu,
https://youtu.be/FjwzVgDrbvc?si=Va7Y8JyGEKol7elU
Koppo,
https://youtu.be/efSvhWfnRLs?si=EBOz8a5OSqZ8BS1j
Jojutsu,
https://youtube.com/shorts/pNUi3EwY0Gw?si=GQNPjxS6PjTEU0VG
Taido,
https://youtube.com/shorts/cAmX0g07bcg?si=wslAhZIUeOjZNVqW
Ryukyu Sumo (Shima),
https://youtu.be/LIi6pQ4WQgQ?si=LEewgsT8qHxvTkwI
Gun and sword,
https://youtube.com/shorts/kIagtvHW8ic?si=jduRZlecvXr6KSb2
Kickboxing
https://youtu.be/IB-f2kGgqlA?si=IPd5AxhD-Bk9MbW1
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Wow, a great comprehensive list!
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