Training in Japan: Training with Soke or the Shihan

There are many opportunities to train in Japan aside from training at Hombu with Soke Hatsumi. Many Shihan will run classes either at Hombu or at other dojos closer to where they live. If you need to find other places to train, you should first ask for advice from Kutaki No Mura or (if you're already there) in one of the classes. After training of course.

You must be a member of the Bujinkan to train at Hombu or Ayase and you should take your membership card with you. If this is your first time to Japan then try to see if you can go with someone else (such as your teacher).

George Ohashi puts the training schedule for hombu on his site in advance and you should check it before travelling. His site also has the latest news for students as well as comments from Soke. Usually, there are notices in Hombu if any visiting instructor is running additional classes.

When attending any class, ensure you arrive in plenty of time to change and pack your items out of the way. Also, take a small bag to collect any of your waste as you will be unable to discard it at the dojo. It is your responsibility to dispose of it properly and keep the area around Hombu and Ayase clean and tidy.

If you can, have the correct change when paying as this reduces the time it takes for the admin staff to collect the money before class.

When in any class, if you have any doubt about whether you should or shouldn't do something then don't do it. First ask and someone will help point you in the right direction. Most people are friendly and its better to ask rather than embarrass yourself.