Explore Japan through Judo

18/03/2026

Scene from the Service Experience_001

Pierre, a 21-year-old from France, has experience in MMA. Although he has no background in judo, he took a class at a dojo in Osaka to learn throwing techniques.

We narrowed our focus to harai-goshi out of the three techniques—harai-goshi, seoi-nage, and o-soto-gari—and practiced it. My progress was faster than expected, and even the dojo instructors were surprised.

After practice, Pierre had dinner with the dojo instructor and then went home.

Even if we can’t always communicate perfectly with words, we can connect through judo. Judo really is wonderful. We look forward to seeing you again.

Explore Japan through Judo：https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/
Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
X：https://x.com/EJTJudo
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/

サービス体験のひとコマ_001

フランス出身の21歳のピエールさんは、MMAの経験者。柔道の経験はないですが、投げ技を学ぶために大阪の道場でクラスを受講しました。

「払腰」「背負投」「大外刈」という3つの技の中から、「払腰」に絞って練習しました。上達のスピードは予想以上に早く、道場の指導者たちも驚くほど。

練習の後、ピエールさんは道場の指導員と夕食を共にし、その後、家に帰っていきました。

言葉が十分に通じなくても、柔道で通じ合える。やっぱり柔道はいいですね。またのご利用をお待ちしています。

Explore Japan through Judo：https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/
Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
X：https://x.com/EJTJudo
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/

18/03/2026

Scene from the Service Experience_001

Pierre, a 21-year-old from France, has experience in MMA. Although he has no background in judo, he took a class at a dojo in Osaka to learn throwing techniques.

We narrowed our focus to harai-goshi out of the three techniques—harai-goshi, seoi-nage, and o-soto-gari—and practiced it. My progress was faster than expected, and even the dojo instructors were surprised.

After practice, Pierre had dinner with the dojo instructor and then went home.

Even if we can’t always communicate perfectly with words, we can connect through judo. Judo really is wonderful. We look forward to seeing you again.

Explore Japan through Judo：https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/
Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
X：https://x.com/EJTJudo
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/

サービス体験のひとコマ_001

フランス出身の21歳のピエールさんは、MMAの経験者。柔道の経験はないですが、投げ技を学ぶために大阪の道場でクラスを受講しました。

「払腰」「背負投」「大外刈」という3つの技の中から、「払腰」に絞って練習しました。上達のスピードは予想以上に早く、道場の指導者たちも驚くほど。

練習の後、ピエールさんは道場の指導員と夕食を共にし、その後、家に帰っていきました。

言葉が十分に通じなくても、柔道で通じ合える。やっぱり柔道はいいですね。またのご利用をお待ちしています。

Explore Japan through Judo：https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/
Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
X：https://x.com/EJTJudo
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/

11/03/2026

Tochio in Niigata Prefecture is a town steeped in history, where the famous warlord Uesugi Kenshin—known to every Japanese person—spent his youth. Blessed with abundant clear streams, it has long been a thriving rice-growing region, also known for its deep snow during winter. Operating in this very Tochio is the “Tochio Judo Club,” a judo club characterized by its warm atmosphere. Experience Japan's rural culture through judo.

We've launched a service allowing drop-in participation at dojos across Japan. While we currently partner with six dojos, we plan to gradually expand and establish such partner dojos nationwide. Moving forward, we also aim to introduce services like recruiting foreign participants for judo tournaments and children's judo study abroad programs, striving to provide services that make judo enjoyable throughout Japan.

https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/

新潟県栃尾は、日本人なら誰もが知っている武将・上杉謙信が青年期を過ごした歴史の香りが残る町。豊かな清流に恵まれ昔から稲作が盛んな地域でもあり、冬の間は雪深いことでも知られています。そんな栃尾で活動している「栃尾柔道倶楽部」は、温かな雰囲気が特徴の柔道クラブです。柔道を通して日本の田舎文化を体験してみてください。

日本国内にある道場の練習にドロップインで参加できるサービスを始めました。現在の提携道場は6ヶ所ですが、少しづつ増やして、日本中にそうした提携道場を展開する予定です。そして今後は柔道大会での外国人枠募集や、子ども柔道留学のようなサービスも始め、日本中で柔道を楽しめるようなサービスを提供していきたいと思います。

https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/

Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
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10/03/2026

Eastern Osaka is an industrial area lined with many small factories. The dojo is located on the rooftop of one of these factories. The Koyo Judo Club was founded when a company owner's love of judo led him to build a judo hall, and many trainees attend, from those with world-class experience to beginners. There are many female trainees, making it a popular dojo recommended for female judoists.

Under the wish to help people learn about Japan through judo, 'Explore Japan Through Judo' aims to network dojos located throughout Japan.

大阪東部は工業地域として多くの町工場が立ち並ぶエリア。道場はそんな町工場のビル屋上にあります。会社オーナーの柔道好きが高じて柔道場を作ったことから始まった「光洋柔道クラブ」には、世界で戦った経験もあるものから初心者まで、沢山の練習生が通ってきます。女性も多く、女性の柔道家にはおすすめの人気道場です。

「Explore Japan Through Judo」では、柔道を通して日本を知ってもらいたいという願いを元に、日本各地にある道場のネットワーク化を図っています。

02/03/2026

In December last year, seven children and their guardians traveled from Los Angeles to Japan. The goal of the trip was to deepen their appreciation of judo by training in its birthplace and to experience Japanese culture through food, sightseeing, and cultural exchange. The visiting group came from San Gabriel Judo Dojo in Los Angeles, a dojo with nearly a 100‑year history.

02/03/2026

American Kids' Judo Tour in Japan

I recently had the opportunity to cover a judo tour to Japan by a group of children from the United States, and I’d like to share a brief report.

In December last year, seven children and their guardians traveled from Los Angeles to Japan. The goal of the trip was to deepen their appreciation of judo by training in its birthplace and to experience Japanese culture through food, sightseeing, and cultural exchange. The visiting group came from San Gabriel Judo Dojo in Los Angeles, a dojo with nearly a 100‑year history.

The tour was organized by Megumi Ishikawa, a former international competitor and founder of the Global Kids Judo Network, who is currently promoting several projects to grow judo in the U.S.

Ishikawa: “I’m living abroad and having an exciting time. I believe this tour will give the children many important experiences—things you can only gain through direct experience.”

On the first day the group visited Kodokan, the spiritual home of judo in Tokyo. Director Uemura greeted them. It was the children’s first time at Kodokan and their first judo practice in Japan. Although they were surprised by how different the training was from what they’re used to in the U.S., they followed the sessions diligently until the end.

Over the week the group visited five dojos, experienced authentic Japanese judo, rode the Shinkansen, enjoyed Japanese food, and even watched sumo—taking in a wide range of Japanese culture.

Children’s impressions:
* Child A: “Practice was much tougher than at our dojo in the U.S. We did five three‑minute randori. But it was fun.”
* Child B: “What I love about judo is that it’s the same everywhere in the world. People who do judo understand each other. I finally understood that.”
* Child C: “I’m grateful for this trip. I made many new connections in Japan and experienced many great techniques.”
* Child D: “It was an honor to train with new people in Japan. My judo is still immature—I got thoroughly beaten.”

Richie Endow, instructor at San Gabriel Judo Dojo who accompanied the group, shared his thoughts on the tour.

Richie: “This was a great opportunity for the children to see how big and wonderful judo can be. It was the best tour. The kids are truly happy. I’m very grateful to Megumi for making these connections. It was an invaluable experience.”

Judo, now practiced in more than 200 countries and a global sport, continues to reveal new facets when practitioners return to Japan to train. The children from Los Angeles will likely come away with an even deeper love for judo.

Explore Japan Through Judo works to connect dojos across Japan to give people the chance to learn about the country through judo. If you’re interested in experiencing judo in Japan, please contact the program coordinator.

23/02/2026

Shoshikan Toma Dojo is located in Tomakomai, Hokkaido — a city where industrial strength meets the bounty of nature, conveniently close to New Chitose Airport and Tomakomai Port. Popular with locals and visitors alike, some students even drive an hour to join classes. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, you’ll find training suited to your level in a welcoming, community-focused environment.

Under the wish to help people learn about Japan through judo, 'Explore Japan Through Judo' aims to network dojos located throughout Japan.

北海道苫小牧市は、空と海の玄関口である新千歳空港と苫小牧港に隣接し工業都市としての機能と自然の恵みが融合した街。そんな苫小牧市にある「尚志館當摩道場」は、車で１時間かけて通う練習生もいる人気道場です。初心者から上級者まで幅広い練習生がいるので、あなたの実力に合わせた練習が可能です。

「Explore Japan Through Judo」では、柔道を通して日本を知ってもらいたいという願いを元に、日本各地にある道場のネットワーク化を図っています。

21/02/2026

21/02/2026

On January 17, 2026, the Saitama International Junior Judo Weight Category Championships were held at a dojo in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Athletes from seven countries, including Australia, Germany, Norway, and France, participated, with a total of 46 international competitors aged between 14 and 20, showcasing an excitement worthy of an international event. 'Explore Japan Through Judo' will continue to deliver judo news from within Japan.

今年2026年1月17日。日本の埼玉県にある武道場で、埼玉国際ジュニア柔道体重別選手権大会が開かれた。オーストラリア、ドイツ、ノルウェー、フランスなど7カ国、14歳から20歳までの46名もの海外勢が参加し、国際大会の何恥じない盛り上がりをみせた。「Explore Japan Through Judo」では、日本国内の柔道ニュースを発信していきます。

Explore Japan through Judo：https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/

Instagram：instagram.com/explore_japan_through_judo
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581966241367
X：https://x.com/EJTJudo
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/

20/02/2026

We’ve launched a service that lets people drop in to train at dojos across Japan. We only have partnerships with six dojos so far, but we plan to add more gradually. In the future we’d like to offer services such as recruiting foreign participants for judo tournaments and judo study-abroad programs for children.

https://explore-japan-through-judo.com/

20/02/2026

We’ve launched a service that lets people drop in to train at dojos across Japan. We only have partnerships with six dojos so far, but we plan to add more gradually. In the future we’d like to offer services such as recruiting foreign participants for judo tournaments and judo study-abroad programs for children.

Our site, "Explore Japan through Judo," help you enjoy judo more freely and deeply in Japan. Why not travel around Japan and practice judo at dojos nationwide? By experiencing the regional flavors that shape each dojo's judo spirit, your travel experience will be greatly enriched.