Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum
Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum
Okinawa Prefecture Karate Museum
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5.0
17 reviews
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Kieran B
14 contributions
Apr 2020
The 1st original Karate / Kobudo museum in the world. The Okinawa prefecture Karate Kobudo museum is situated on the 2nd floor, above the Hokama Karate Dojo (International Kenshikai HQ). This is a fully working Dojo, with weekly classes for local students and private lessons for visitors (Y3,000 by request).
Many people visit the museum while training is taking place down stairs and this creates a fantastic atmosphere.
Hokama Sensei is a 10th Dan Karate Hanshi (Goju Ryu) and 10th Dan Kobudo Hanshi (Matayoshi Kobudo). Now 75 years old, he has been training since he was 7 years old!
As well as being a world class martial arts master, he is recognised by the Japanese government as a historian. He has written over 30 books on martial arts history. He is also a master of Shodo - the art of Japanese calligraphy.
Custom Shodo is available during your visit. Mr Hokama will write anything you like i.e. name of your Dojo, childs name etc. on wood or paper. You can either bring your own item, or purchase at the museum.
Many people visit the museum while training is taking place down stairs and this creates a fantastic atmosphere.
Hokama Sensei is a 10th Dan Karate Hanshi (Goju Ryu) and 10th Dan Kobudo Hanshi (Matayoshi Kobudo). Now 75 years old, he has been training since he was 7 years old!
As well as being a world class martial arts master, he is recognised by the Japanese government as a historian. He has written over 30 books on martial arts history. He is also a master of Shodo - the art of Japanese calligraphy.
Custom Shodo is available during your visit. Mr Hokama will write anything you like i.e. name of your Dojo, childs name etc. on wood or paper. You can either bring your own item, or purchase at the museum.
Written 8 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyoko R
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Okinawa is a magical place and so dear to our hearts. Visiting Hokama Sensei in his dojo reinforced this and is one of the highlights of our family’s recent visit. We were delighted to meet Hokama Sensei and absorb the photos and history of his museum. When we arrived, he had a group of karate students and instructors from Belgium who were also a genuine pleasure.
Hokama Sensei took the time to speak with us and allowed our children, aged 7 and 9, to practice kata in his dojo. Hokama Sensei is also a Shodo master, and wrote beautiful keepsakes on scrolls and wooden boards for family and friends. He is an incredibly humble and gracious man with so many accomplishments and accolades worldwide.
There is a very small fee for museum entry and very reasonable charge for beautiful Shodo. Make this museum a priority during your travel to Okinawa! Thank you for your hospitality, Hokama Sensei.
Hokama Sensei took the time to speak with us and allowed our children, aged 7 and 9, to practice kata in his dojo. Hokama Sensei is also a Shodo master, and wrote beautiful keepsakes on scrolls and wooden boards for family and friends. He is an incredibly humble and gracious man with so many accomplishments and accolades worldwide.
There is a very small fee for museum entry and very reasonable charge for beautiful Shodo. Make this museum a priority during your travel to Okinawa! Thank you for your hospitality, Hokama Sensei.
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RyukyuMike
Kin-cho, Japan939 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
A friend and I went searching for this little known museum as a thing to do on a rainy day. We discovered it after asking for directions, as it is a bit off the beaten path. Inside, we found all sorts of historical and cultural items associated with Okinawan Karate. But, the best find of all, was getting to meet the owner, Tetsuhiro Hokama. He is a Master of the highest rank in Goju Ryu Karate and teaches, in the dojo, on the first floor of this museum. Friendly and fluent in English, we sat and sipped tea, chatting with him for well over an hour. I highly recommend a trip to this site for anyone interested in the sport of karate.
Written 18 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chad E
Toronto, Ontario, Canada49 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
Being a former karateka (out of it for 5 years) I always had a strong fascination and appreciation of the history and roots of Karate. The Karate Museum in Okinawa was a must see for me. I was not dissapointed. Not only did I get to see a legitimate Okinawan dojo, I got to check out a huge collection of ancient karate relics and antique wonders. You can literally walk through the historical roots of karate from old weapons to manuscripts, to old writings, photographs, and books of the masters, training tools, etc. Perhaps the most amazing part was meeting Dr. Tetsuhiro Hokama, whom at the time I knew little of, but after some post visit research I learned is a renowned 10th dan master and owner of the museum. He was a real pleasure to chat with, extremely patient and humble, and really took the time to guide me around the entirety of the museum. I enjoyed my visit so much, I've since been inspired to return to my karate training and am now on my way to black belt. If you're at all interested in the historical roots of the art, and way of life, I strongly recommend you take the opportunity to visit this museum and Dr. Hokama. I'm hoping to return sometime in the future, myself.
Written 19 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
linda b
Charlotte, NC187 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Went with my husband as he is a history buff and has been practicing Karate for over 30 years. Going in there with him was like seeing a child in a candy store! A fully functional dojo, karate museum and Sensei Dr. Tetsuhiro Hokama's humble abode, you should call before you go. WARNING: don't get put off if you don't get an answer right away, just call multiple times until he answers. To get there: take the monorail to the Shuri Station; then a taxi to the museum. Admission is ¥300 per person. There are wonderful souvenirs to buy. Dr. Tetsuhiro Hokama will also write something frame worthy for you in Japanese calligraphy for about ¥2000.
Written 11 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christiana A
78 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
I went with my partner who loves karate. Tetsuhiro Hokama really knows his stuff and if you visit here you can literally learn from a master. It would be easier to drive here but we rode the monorail to the last stop and took a taxi to his museum. We took the bus back to the city center. Definitely go if you're in Naha and you like karate!
Written 23 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Werewolf333
Singapore, Singapore11 contributions
Mar 2019
Nice to go through the history of karate n it conclude that all are of a single family since the art started
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristian
86 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
It is a private museum, the only one of this type, dedicated to Okinawan Karate. It was an honour for me to practice there, to listen to Hokama sensei explanation on the developing of Ti - to the actual Okinawan Karate. Besides a great place to practice, upstairs there is the Karate Museum, with more then 300 items - rare documents, weapons related to Karate / Kobudo practice, magazine, posters, very old pictures and letters... Museum was oppened by Hokama Sensei in 1987 and he puts great effort in teaching and building his museum collection, helping to spread the Okinawan Karate way throughout the world. Hokama Sensei appeared in the Learning Channel documentary "Top 10 Martial Arts" as well as in many foreign magazines and TV Shows - and also is author of more then 17 books. Some are available for sale directly there, and some are in english !!
Hokama sensei is also a master calligrapher and will take orders directly there. So, if you really would like a nice piece of Calligraphy for your Dojo or Home , ask and You will be not dissapointed !
Attention, it is a private location and home to Hokama sensei, so the best will be to call first to make an appointment, the best with at least one day in advance.
Hokama sensei is also a master calligrapher and will take orders directly there. So, if you really would like a nice piece of Calligraphy for your Dojo or Home , ask and You will be not dissapointed !
Attention, it is a private location and home to Hokama sensei, so the best will be to call first to make an appointment, the best with at least one day in advance.
Written 7 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
850laue
Singapore, Singapore157 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
We went there because my son does Russian martial art and keen to explore all forms of martial arts.
Also he did a year of karate when young.
It was amazing to find out that karate started out from Okinawa.
We were meant to spent a very short time here and move on to other tourist sites.
In the end we spent a whole day and skipped alternative plans for the day.
The Soke was extremely friendly and welcoming. You pay 300 yen each for admission and 100 yen for photography.
He had so many awards from all around the world for his work in promoting karate.
We spent 6500 yen in getting him to do various calligraphy pieces on rice paper and wooden planks to bring home as special gifts for individuals.
Must visit for anyone being martial artist enthusiasts.
Also he did a year of karate when young.
It was amazing to find out that karate started out from Okinawa.
We were meant to spent a very short time here and move on to other tourist sites.
In the end we spent a whole day and skipped alternative plans for the day.
The Soke was extremely friendly and welcoming. You pay 300 yen each for admission and 100 yen for photography.
He had so many awards from all around the world for his work in promoting karate.
We spent 6500 yen in getting him to do various calligraphy pieces on rice paper and wooden planks to bring home as special gifts for individuals.
Must visit for anyone being martial artist enthusiasts.
Written 10 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wade I
Alexandria, VA103 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
This Karate museum is maintained by Tetsuhiro Hokama Sensei, a Goju Ryu practitioner. He gave a personal tour of the museum that has many artifacts, pictures, and books about Karate to include styles other than Goju Ryu. The artifacts show many Okinawan weapons and training devices. Hokama Sensei also invited us to view a class he was teaching where the students were four advanced black belts ... two from Russia, one from mainland Japan, and the other from somewhere in Europe. Hokama Sensei's use of pressure points was demonstrated. Great, fabulous visit! Hokama Sensei is a treasure.
Written 20 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does it open on 10 November 2018 and does it allow to take photographs inside the museum.thanks
Written 23 September 2018
Il museo non ha un orario ben preciso. Di solito è aperto nel pomeriggio prima delle 18 quando il maestro Tetsuiro Hokama inizia le sue lezioni di Karate. È una persona disponibile che parla correttamente inglese. Va contattato direttamente
Written 10 August 2016
Dear Sir
What day did you go there? I am planning to visit this museum and I learned from websites that the museum does not open daily. Is it true?
Written 26 January 2015
The museum is actually a dojo as well. I visited on a Saturday in the morning around 8am. The museum was open, but there was no one there except Dr. Hokama. I'm not sure if there are official times posted anywhere, but Saturday morning seemed to work for me. Hope that helps!
Written 30 January 2015
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