Train in Osaka

[Dankiwi]

Hello
I'm on the look out for dojo's in Osaka. Any information would be appreciated.
Regards
Daniel

[Daniel Lee]

You'll be able to find a range of jujutsu, aikijujutsu, jodo, iai and sogo budo groups in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo. How long are you planning on staying, and what kind of art are you interested in studying?

[Dankiwi]

My background is Akikai Aikido so something similar to this would be great.
Something with a mix of unarmed and armed particulary jo. I am here for at least 1 year

[Daniel Lee]

I've just done a quick internet search for aikido dojo in Osaka, and there are quite a few! Depending on your current Japanese ability you might want to ask a local friend to help you with enquiries, but here are a few:

Osaka Aikikai (Suita City) (http://www2.odn.ne.jp/osakaaikikai/index.html)

Amenotakemusujuku Aikido Dojo (http://www.page.sannet.ne.jp/shun-q/dojo-e.html)

Aikido Tenshin Dojo (http://www.aitenshin.com/images/english_site.html) Shodokan Aikido (http://homepage2.nifty.com/shodokan/en/index.html)

Continuing with Aikido would mean you'd be familiar with the art taught, and have a community of experienced folks to practice with if/when you return to New Zealand.

Alternatively, you could enquire about joining a koryu: Osaka and its surrounds have Shibukawa-ryu, Daito-ryu, Takagi-ryu, Hontai Yoshin-ryu and Shingetsu Muso Yanagi-ryu (do a search on these arts to find out more) that all teach unarmed defence and some degree of stick / sword. It's quite a personal decision though - with koryu, you would need to dedicate 10 - 15 years of practice before you could consider returning home, and there would be noone with any experience of the art to practice with you if you did. It all depends on the path you want to take. Good luck!

[Dankiwi]

Great.
Thanks for your help

Dan Gibbs