The Kodokan 講道館 , or World Judo Institute, is a mecca for judo players from around the world. At any given time, you may find seasoned instructors, Olympic athletes, and interested hobbyists of all ages and levels training side by side. Literally, kō means “to lecture” or “to spread information,” dō means “the way,” and kan is “a public building or hall,” together translating roughly as “a place for the study or promotion of the way.” It was established by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo in 1882, and is now located in Tokyo, Japan. Judo is a derivative of jujutsu.
The center is open to all who are willing to learn and respect each other. The Kodokan consists of two buildings. There are four floors of dojo, or training halls, a research facility, a clinic, a dormitory for visitors, a library, a gift shop, and a restaurant.
You are welcome to visit even if you do not do judo. The Kodokan is located directly to the right of the Tokyo Metro Kasuga Station A1 exit.
The first building is administration, and the second is the one with the training facilities.
Kodokan Judo Institute (photo: Clancy Mason/flickr)
Enter the glass door at the far left when you face the building and take the elevator to the 8th floor. There is a seating area overlooking the main dojo on the 7th floor. Practice times vary, but usually there is free sparring time from 4 to 8 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 4 to 7:30 pm. Sundays there are often tournaments or clinics in the main dojo. For more information: http://kodokan.org/
Statue of Jigoro Kano(嘉納治五郎) outside The Kodokan Institute (講道館), Tokyo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
