【series①】Okinawa karate tourism A Homecoming to
Hello everyone, this is Iha.The 2025 November Okinawa Karate Tour has come to an end, and hearing all of your messages of joy after returning home truly made me feel grateful that we decided to hold it.Okinaea tourFacebookwww.facebook.comThe last time we organized an Okinawa Karate Tour was in October 2023, right after the COVID restrictions were lifted. Many organizations now offer similar tours, but at that time, hosting a large-scale martial arts tour with around 40 participants—so soon after the pandemic—was, I believe, one of the earliest examples in Japan.Because of its uniqueness, our tour was featured in an article in Monthly Hiden magazine.Over the next few posts, I would like to share that article with all of you.[data-toc]{background:#ffffffd9;border:1px solid var(--color-border-medium-emphasis,#08121a4d);border-radius:8px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;padding:12px 16px}[data-toc] h2,[data-toc] ol,[data-toc] p{margin:0}[data-toc] .toc-header{align-items:center;display:flex;font-weight:700;gap:12px}:is([data-toc] .toc-header) h2{color:var(--color-text-medium-emphasis,#08121abd);flex-shrink:0;font-size:.875em}[data-toc] .toc-empty-message{color:var(--color-text-low-emphasis,#08121a9c);font-weight:400}:is([data-toc] .toc-empty-message) p{font-size:.75em}[data-toc] ol{list-style:none;padding:0}:is([data-toc] ol) .last.collapse a{border:none}:is([data-toc] ol) a{border-bottom:1px solid var(--color-surface-tertiary,#08121a14);display:block;font-size:.75em;padding:6px 0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none}[data-toc] .h4,[data-toc] a{color:var(--color-text-medium-emphasis,#08121abd)}[data-toc] .h2{font-weight:700}[data-toc] .h3{font-weight:400;margin-left:8px}[data-toc] .h4{font-weight:400;margin-left:16px}[data-toc] [role=button][aria-expanded]{align-items:center;display:flex;font-size:.75em;font-weight:700;gap:4px;justify-content:center;padding:4px 0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none}[data-toc] [role=button][aria-expanded=true]:after{mask-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='24' height='24' fill='currentColor' viewBox='0 0 24 24'%3E%3Cpath d='M20.97 14.55c0 .26-.1.51-.29.71a.996.996 0 0 1-1.41 0l-7.29-7.29-7.29 7.29a.996.996 0 1 1-1.41-1.41l7.29-7.29c.78-.78 2.05-.78 2.83 0l7.29 7.29c.19.19.28.44.28.7'/%3E%3C/svg%3E")}[data-toc] [role=button][aria-expanded=false]:after,[data-toc] [role=button][aria-expanded=true]:after{background:var(--object-low-emphasis,#08121a9c);content:"";display:block;height:1rem;mask-size:contain;width:1rem}[data-toc] [role=button][aria-expanded=false]:after{mask-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='24' height='24' fill='currentColor' viewBox='0 0 24 24'%3E%3Cpath d='M3.05 9.45c0-.26.1-.51.29-.71a.996.996 0 0 1 1.41 0l7.29 7.29 7.29-7.29a.996.996 0 1 1 1.41 1.41l-7.29 7.29c-.78.78-2.05.78-2.83 0l-7.29-7.29c-.18-.19-.28-.44-.28-.7'/%3E%3C/svg%3E")}[data-toc]:has([role=button][aria-expanded=false]) .last:not(.collapse) a{border:none}[data-toc]:has([role=button][aria-expanded=false]) .collapse{display:none}[data-toc]:not(:has([role=button][aria-expanded])):not(:has(.collapse)) .last a{border:none}:is([contenteditable=true],.no-js,#no-js) [data-toc] .collapse{display:revert!important}目次[Series] “Okinawa Karate Budo Tourism”A Homecoming to Okinawa Goju-Ryu and Toguch Seikichi SenseiA Homecoming Tour Begins: Returning to the Roots of Okinawan KarateOctober 28 (Sat), 4:00 PM – A Historic Exchange with Okinawa Goju-Ryu JundokanRemembering the Relationship Between Miyazato Sensei and Toguchi SenseiJundokan — A Dojo Steeped in the Sweat and Spirit of Countless Karateka[Series] “Okinawa Karate Budo Tourism”A Homecoming to Okinawa Goju-Ryu and Toguch Seikichi SenseiA Homecoming Tour Begins: Returning to the Roots of Okinawan KarateAs Japan’s Sports Agency pushes forward a new tourism initiative that highlights traditional Japanese martial arts—known as Budo Tourism—Okinawa has positioned itself at the forefront by promoting its identity as “the birthplace of karate.” The prefecture has been developing distinctive tourism programs to welcome karate practitioners from across the globe.In 2021, Okinawa’s efforts toward the Okinawa Karate Vision Roadmap—a long-term plan for the preservation, transmission, and future development of Okinawan karate—earned national recognition as a “Model Community for Sports and Health-Based Town Development.” The project has also received strong support from Japan Sports Agency Commissioner Hiroshi Morisofu.With the world gradually emerging from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and human interaction flourishing once again, this government-backed momentum has begun to spread among private martial arts organizations both in Okinawa and on mainland Japan. Since around 2024, a new trend has taken shape: karate groups that once spread from Okinawa to the rest of Japan are now tracing their roots and embarking on “homecoming tours” to reconnect with the birthplace of their art.Against this backdrop, we highlight the Budo Tourism Program of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-do Shorei-Kan—one of the leading branches of Goju-Ryu, which established its dojo in Okinawa shortly after World War II before expanding to the mainland. Late October saw a variety of karate-related events across Okinawa, held in celebration of Karate Day.October 28 (Sat), 4:00 PM – A Historic Exchange with Okinawa Goju-Ryu JundokanBy 2:00 PM, Naha Airport was packed with travelers from across Japan and abroad. Members of Shorei-Kan, arriving on different flights, gathered and boarded a large private bus arranged by the organization. Their first destination was Kokusai-dori, where they took in their first steps on Okinawan soil.Despite being late October, the subtropical sun still carried a strong, warm glow, and rows of tall palm trees welcomed the visitors. There was little time to linger, however, as the group soon headed to their next stop—Asato, in central Naha.Waiting there to greet them were Kinjo Tsuneo Sensei and the wife of Miyazato Kancho.Remembering the Relationship Between Miyazato Sensei and Toguchi SenseiThe founder of Jundokan, Miyazato Eiichi Sensei, and Shorei-Kan’s founder, Toguchi Seikichi Sensei, were childhood friends from the Higashimachi district of Naha. Both studied directly under Goju-Ryu founder Miyagi Chojun Sensei and were senior disciples only five years apart in age.In 1960, twelve years before Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, Toguchi Sensei moved to Tokyo to promote authentic Okinawan karate. From that point on, many Okinawan karate practitioners and students heading to mainland Japan relied on him for support. Miyazato Sensei’s students were no exception—they, too, sought his guidance when moving to Tokyo for university or work.Jundokan — A Dojo Steeped in the Sweat and Spirit of Countless KaratekaAfter exchanging brief greetings at the entrance, the group stepped inside the dojo—and were immediately struck by the atmosphere. The wooden floors and walls, infused with decades of dedication and sweat, the high ceiling, and at the front, a dignified bust of Miyagi Chojun Sensei overseeing the room. Portraits of successive masters lined the walls in orderly fashion. The group hesitated, overwhelmed by the sense of history.Sensing this, Kinjo Sensei gently encouraged them: “Please, come in.”His words eased the tension, and members began exploring the dojo—lightly striking the makiwara, lifting the well-worn chiishi and kami, and absorbing the weight of tradition in every corner.Once everyone had settled, the Shorei-Kan members formed neat lines and formally expressed their deep appreciation for Kinjo Sensei’s warm hospitality. With their spirits lifted, they departed for their lodging in Nanjo City—Pension Murayamasato, located in the peaceful southern region of Okinawa.NEXT
