Kata training in Japan, worth it? where to go?

[Bushido02]

Hi guys,

In a couple of weeks I'll visit Japan for the first time and would like to take this opportunity to do some training while I'm there. Do you have any suggestions on senseis/dojos where it's possible to have personal Kata lessons? I'm having a hard time finding info. I practice Shito Ryu, Ni Dan. 

 

Thanks a lot!

[Wastelander]

Well, I can say that Shito-Ryu isn't very popular on Okinawa, as it's really more of a mainland Japanese style, but there are quite a few dojo on Okinawa that are open to the public. The Karate Kaikan actually has a program to connect visitors with dojo on Okinawa, but you need to register right away, because they ask for 2 weeks' notice:

https://karatekaikan.jp/en/pages/experience-program-karate

Aside from that, you can try connecting with other karateka visiting Okinawa and see if they will let you tag along when they go to training. These personal connections are generally the best way to go, but can be difficult if you don't already know people on Okinawa. You can start by reaching out to James Pankiewicz, who runs the Asato Dojo and BujinTV, as he has lots of connections and knows a lot of people who might be able to help you out.

Alternatively ,you can ask a taxi driver to take you to a karate dojo they know about and just show up asking respectfully to train. I don't generally recommend the "show up and ask" approach unless you have exhausted your other options.

[sensei8]

Miguel Da Luz - founder of the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau (OTKLB). Miguel has lived in Okinawa a long time…20 years or more.

Miguel would be the main contact between you and any given Okinawa Master; I’d say his list of Okinawa Master is the who’s who of Okinawa Masters.

If you are a black belt holder, it is recommended that you bring both black and white belts: you should wear a white belt first. If sensei urges you to wear your black belt, only then you can wear it. 

Good luck!!

(EDIT: Auto Spell hates me)

Edited August 13 by sensei8

[Nidan Melbourne]

First of all welcome to the forum!
 

Where in Japan are you looking at travelling to? As that will greatly help the other members provide you with helpful suggestions. 

Does your club have any affiliations in Japan? May be worth speaking to your sensei if they know any other Shito-Ryu Clubs that are members of a Japanese Organisation.

 

[Bushido02]

Hi guys!

 

I'm so sorry for my late replies! Because I'm a new member I didn't know where to read the new messages. Thank you so much for your comments, they're of great help. 

Some further info about my trip:

 

I'll be visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Fujinomiya  and Fujiyoshida.   I won't be able to visit Okinawa, sadly. 

I've talked to same people but haven't been able to find a Shito-Ryu sensei/dojo. There was the possibility to train one day with Emiri Iwamoto but our schedules couldn't align. 

Do you guys have any suggestions? 

 

Thank you!

[Bushido02]

On 8/13/2025 at 8:22 AM, Wastelander said:

Well, I can say that Shito-Ryu isn't very popular on Okinawa, as it's really more of a mainland Japanese style, but there are quite a few dojo on Okinawa that are open to the public. The Karate Kaikan actually has a program to connect visitors with dojo on Okinawa, but you need to register right away, because they ask for 2 weeks' notice:

https://karatekaikan.jp/en/pages/experience-program-karate

Aside from that, you can try connecting with other karateka visiting Okinawa and see if they will let you tag along when they go to training. These personal connections are generally the best way to go, but can be difficult if you don't already know people on Okinawa. You can start by reaching out to James Pankiewicz, who runs the Asato Dojo and BujinTV, as he has lots of connections and knows a lot of people who might be able to help you out.

Alternatively ,you can ask a taxi driver to take you to a karate dojo they know about and just show up asking respectfully to train. I don't generally recommend the "show up and ask" approach unless you have exhausted your other options.

Thank you! I will check the possibility to contact James Pankiewicz. I won't be able to visit Okinawa, but perhaps could find some options in mainland.

[Bushido02]

On 8/13/2025 at 10:12 AM, sensei8 said:

Miguel Da Luz - founder of the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau (OTKLB). Miguel has lived in Okinawa a long time…20 years or more.

Miguel would be the main contact between you and any given Okinawa Master; I’d say his list of Okinawa Master is the who’s who of Okinawa Masters.

If you are a black belt holder, it is recommended that you bring both black and white belts: you should wear a white belt first. If sensei urges you to wear your black belt, only then you can wear it. 

Good luck!!

(EDIT: Auto Spell hates me)

I appreciate the tip. Do you think Miguel Da Luz might have info on masters outside Okinawa? I will only be able to visit mainland.

And also thank you for reminding me to bring my white belt along with my black one.  Thanks!

[Bushido02]

On 8/13/2025 at 11:19 AM, Nidan Melbourne said:

First of all welcome to the forum!
 

Where in Japan are you looking at travelling to? As that will greatly help the other members provide you with helpful suggestions. 

Does your club have any affiliations in Japan? May be worth speaking to your sensei if they know any other Shito-Ryu Clubs that are members of a Japanese Organisation.

 

Thank you for the welcome!

 

I'll be in Tokyo, Osaka, Kioto, and Fujiyoshida. My sensei and I tried contacting our connection in Japan but they couldn't help, so I'm trying to find other options. Any tip is of great help, thank you!

[sensei8]

26 minutes ago, Bushido02 said:

I appreciate the tip. Do you think Miguel Da Luz might have info on masters outside Okinawa? I will only be able to visit mainland.

And also thank you for reminding me to bring my white belt along with my black one.  Thanks!

Yes, I believe that Miguel would have master contacts in Japan. It’d be worth the phone call, that’s for sure.

You’re welcome about the belt reminder!!

[Nidan Melbourne]

1 hour ago, Bushido02 said:

Thank you for the welcome!

 

I'll be in Tokyo, Osaka, Kioto, and Fujiyoshida. My sensei and I tried contacting our connection in Japan but they couldn't help, so I'm trying to find other options. Any tip is of great help, thank you!

The SSU (Shito-Ryu Shukokai Union) operates in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. I have a few Australian Contacts who are a part of the union but i doubt that would be useful to you (assuming you're not based in Australia).

https://shukokai-world.net/list-of-our-dojos-in-japan/

I didn't see an email, but didn't look that hard.