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Japanese American Budokan
5 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · Judo dojo in New York, New York
Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized judo governing body or lineage (think USA Judo, USJA, USJF, Kodokan or Tenri). If affiliation matters to you, ask which body the dojo belongs to and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most dojos welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule jabudokan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (603) 803-3757
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 2:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Friday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“I cannot think of another Judo club where a beginner would get close instruction from competitors at the highest level.”
“This dojo is highly recommended for all fitness enthusiasts, including those karate practitioners who are at the same time karate nerds like my son.”
“It is a vibe of encouragement and hard work that we all share in the dojo, especially when training for promotion and tournaments (which are challenging but really fun!”
“Great for kids who need to vent out stress and stay healthy; it comes with training inner strength for self control and self defense.”
Other martial arts here
“Ryu sensei's passion and engaging teaching style make learning karate/martial arts a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
“Great for kids who need to vent out stress and stay healthy; it comes with training inner strength for self control and self defense.”
What members say
“Sensei Ryu is so incredibly knowledgeable in karate theory, practice, and application.”
“From my experiences, Ryu Sensei has created a truly special, supporting, and welcoming community of karate practitioners.”
“From my experiences, Ryu Sensei has created a truly special, supporting, and welcoming community of karate practitioners.”
“He gives you the complete picture when it comes to executing a technique, and he helps you to build the framework in getting you to executing a technique perfectly.”
“He is also a world-class athlete with extensive knowledge in competition training, strength and conditioning, performance, and overall health and wellness.”
“It is a vibe of encouragement and hard work that we all share in the dojo, especially when training for promotion and tournaments (which are challenging but really fun!”
From the reviews
Beginners and families can enjoy learning karate here. The instructor, who has a great karate career and is very popular with the children, devise a menu that they will never get tired of and teach it to them in a fun and full of energy way.
Sensei Ryu is a masterful Karate technician and a superb teacher. Very knowledgeable and good at making nuanced techniques accessible to new students. He’s also young and athletic so you’re learning from someone who’s actually capable of doing the things he’s teaching. Chill & personable guy off the mat too.
Five stars is not enough to describe the enriched experience JAB offers. Not only is Sensei Ryu an exceptional teacher, he’s a very intellectually curious and receptive student, which in my experience is a rare find regardless of discipline.
My 14-year-old son trains and competes in elite division and finds his karate sessions with Sensei Ryu meaningful and enjoyable because Sensei always makes the karate techniques that he is teaching make sense to his students.
New to judo? Start at Japanese American Budokan
Japanese American Budokan comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first judo class at Japanese American Budokan
Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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