Honma Dojo is a great, traditional karate dojo, with full knockdown sparring. I have trained here since 2009, and I have always been impressed with Sensei Honma's teaching skills. He pushes his students (adult and child alike) just enough so that they grow as karatekas and people. He is great with children, and makes sure to teach them focus and discipline while also making classes fun. The dojo also has regular community events for children and adults, and all types of people are welcome at the dojo. I have made some of my closest friends at Honma Dojo. I recently attained my black belt, and I couldn't have accomplished that without the support of Sensei Honma and all my friends at the dojo. read more

Karatedo Honma Dojo - Black belt promotion sparring - Karate Near Me - New York, New York

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We've been coming here about 5 months. Clean. Organized. Calm. The teacher discusses nutrition and being a good person with the kids, it's beyond just exercise. read more

Karatedo Honma Dojo - Karate Near Me - New York, New York

I am an adult student at this dojo. This dojo is clean, well run and the teaching is exceptional. I had previously gone to another dojo but had to leave because I had a baby and then the pandemic struck. The teacher pays particular attention to each student. I like that I improve a little each time. If you are looking to begin karate, this is probably the best dojo to start. read more

I joined Honma Dojo after being impressed with my kids' classes, and now my whole family is doing it. It's good for the mind as much as for the body. It's calming and inviting, and it brings together an incredibly friendly, diverse, and interesting group of people. read more

This dojo is incredible! Our son loves it and we think the Sensei is the best around! he is strict and disciplined with the kids which we love and takes it very seriously. read more

My 6 year old has been taking classes for a few months here and while he sometimes says he doesn't want to go...he's always ecstatic when we arrive and when class is finished proud of his hard work and training. I really like the energy that Sensei Honma brings to each class. He's a calm, powerful presence that demands respect. Traditional which is exactly what we were seeking in a Dojo. read more

Karatedo Honma Dojo - Practice before class begins - Karate Near Me - New York, New York

Honma Dojo is a traditional Japanese karate dojo. The approach in the dojo is very balanced: you learn the basics, the applications, katas (choreographed moves to practice the form), kumite (sparing), and tamishiwary (breaking, e.g. boards). Every class begins and ends with a meditation. Sensei Honma is a great role model for anyone who wants to learn martial arts. read more

My son has been going to Honma Dojo for 4 years. He started when he was 4. We were originally looking for a place that could provide my son with better focus. After meeting Sensei and watching a class I knew it was going to be a great fit! Not only has this helped my son understand when to focus and what to focus on, it has opened up an amazing community of people from all over the world coming together to train. Sensei's classes are very focused and provides an understanding of respect to themselves and others. He is very funny and always has a message for the kids at the end of the day. He relates what is going on in daily life, to how and why they train. Not only is my son better focused and has learned to use his brain differently with how they train but his love for Karate has grown so much. We attend class 2x a week and that is my sons choice not mine. We couldn't be happier with Sensei and this Dojo. You will not be disappointed! read more

Karate and I go way back, and after being soured elsewhere, I found Honma Dojo. We have many students who have trained at other dojos/styles over the years. Sensei's traditional karate is the real deal. Nothing fancy, but the real essence of Japanese Karate. He incorporates many Kyokushin katas and techniques, along with lots of other material from other origins. Sensei also offers a kids program which looks great! The kids show great spirit and technique. Highly suggested for parents, and kids alike. Even better, go train with your kids! read more

I've been training at Honma Dojo for a bit less than a year, but I have no intention of leaving anytime soon! It's definitely one of the best of the many places I've trained at! They teach a family style of traditional Okinawan karate, emphasizing a good grounding in form and application, meditation, and finding work-life balance. There are many potential class to attend every week, each with its own focus (sparring, forms, flexibility and conditioning, etc.), to keep you bodily and mentally in good shape. Sensei is outstanding; he's very patient and tailors his instruction individually to each student, so as to help us get what we are looking to get out of out training time. Personally, I've really appreciated how flexible he is with my martial arts dialect (carried over from my prior training in different styles) and how he always takes the time to explain the reasoning behind nuances of form. Other students appreciate the opportunity to work on their physical conditioning, and to focus on the aesthetics of kata practice. It's clear that he also has that rare ability to push your boundaries in any aspect of your practice, and to facilitate your improvement without going overboard. As a student who generally spends lots of time reading and interacting only with people of my own age, I felt a bit isolated from NYC life. You can imaging how glad I was to find a dojo where adults from 18 to upper 60s with all ability levels train together every week (the children's class is separate though). Also from the social perspective, this school is unique in offering a well-round approach to practice which includes a very supportive network of advanced students, cultural events and special training activities. Just this year, we had a beach training, a board breaking seminar, numerous pot-lucks, tea ceremonies, and other social events! I only wish I'd found the dojo sooner! read more

If you are more interested in the substance and spirit of karate than in ranks, gear, logos, and egos, this is the dojo for you. Here traditional Japanese karate is studied by teacher and students together as a lifelong learning practice patiently building courage, self-discipline, humility, and health. The strong and subtle training; the quiet, challenging intelligence of the teacher; the family-like mutual support of the dojo's diverse community (ages 5 through 70, from all walks of life and all corners of the earth); the fun of summer training on the ocean beach at dawn; the opportunity to visit Japan, all make this a unique refuge of inner development in a noisy world that's all about externals. It's an incredible character builder for kids. And adults. I began karate in this very same tradition (Kyokushin and Kishi Karate) when I was 26. I am still training at 70. It is the single best thing that ever happened to me. read more

I have been to several martial arts schools in NYC and Honma Dojo is among the very best. Sensei Honma is an outstanding teacher and his instruction makes difficult techniques and concepts much easier to learn. the atmosphere is very friendly and inviting as well as challenging and makes you really look forward to classes rather than dreading them. across the board in nearly every category, I give this dojo 10's, and really can't say enough good about it. I give it my highest recommendation to anyone interested in martial arts. read more

I've been attending this dojo since 2010, it's traditional Kyokushin karate at its best, with heavy emphasis on traditional form (kihon and kata) as well as good ol' sparing (optional for those who prefer the more meditative side). Sensei Honma is a great teacher and a mentor to us all, this dojo is easily accessible to beginners and advanced students alike. The kids class is also great, I can't wait for my son to be old enough (~5 years) to start! The best part is every year Sensei Honma takes us to Japan for one week training with his Sensei, Kishi, who trained directly with Mas Oyama himself! read more

There's no other dojo where I'd rather train. Sensei Honma is an excellent and highly skilled teacher. Students are taught traditional Japanese karate, and all body types and skill levels are welcome. I've trained at the dojo for the last several years, and I look at my training there as one of the great decisions of my adult life. Centrally located just a few blocks from Union Square proper, which helps for students who need to commute at the end of the night. The dojo space itself is clean and simple. If you are looking for martial arts training which strengthens the spirit and the body equally, this is the dojo for you. read more

It's really hard to find a good dojo and when you do, you thank your lucky stars for being able to pursue your karate training for the long haul. I started karate 15 years ago at a different school where I took Sensei Honma's classes. After becoming disillusioned with the old dojo's culture, I took a year hiatus from karate. To my great surprise, I discovered that Sensei Honma had opened his own school, and I immediately signed up because I respected his hard training and calm demeanor. Sensei is super conscientious of each individual student's needs and fine tunes his teaching to help each student grow. The kids classes are really popular, and both adults and kids benefit greatly from their training. The dojo itself is simple and clean without any artificial flash or thumping music that you'd find at a gym or fitness boutique. Instead what you get is top notch teaching from an instructor who shows you the full breadth of what traditional Japanese karate has to offer: authenticity, self-defense practice, physical and mental discipline, and a sense of calm. read more

Having tried many styles and dojos, Honma Dojo is quite a bit more than your typical karate dojo. If all you want to learn is kicking and punching, or get in shape, or self defense, then this is not the dojo for you. Sensei Honma makes it clear that understanding karate runs parallel to understanding Japanese culture. Practicing in this dojo means practicing both "karate" in the colloquial sense and also practicing other culturally Japanese activities. True, Sensei Honma's deep knowledge of karate will help you get fit and learn "martial arts" but it doesn't stop there. The many cultural events, form traditional tea ceremonies, dancing, food preparation, beach training, parties, and trips to Japan will no doubt leave any karateka questioning why they chose to practice at any other dojo. To call this "kyokushin" limits Sensei Honma's vast knowledge of martial arts and culture. But for those who care for such things, his lineage is short. After many years as a top student at Seido, Sensei Honma found legendary Sensei Kishi as his great influence and continues to make yearly pilgrimage to Shinjo to study. Do not waste your time or money anywhere else. Honma karate is unlike any other martial art on Earth. read more

I've studied other styles of martial arts over the years so when I was looking for karate dojo I had some experience with different teachers. When I met Sensei Honma it was clear that Karate was the fabric and foundation of his life. I knew I wanted to study this art with him. He is patient, respectful and expects that each student give their personal best. Belts are not given, they're earned. The students at the dojo come from all walks of life and the older students are always willing to help newer students. The atmosphere is one of cooperation, not competition. I would highly recommend this dojo to anyone interested in learning the art of karate read more

Complete 5 stars rating is a true reflection of this dojo. It is authentic as can be. Ways of karatedo that go beyond the physical are practiced here. Sensei provides a place where everyone feels safe, can breathe and discover the natural, higher version of themselves - a place where the mutual respect and kindness coexist with the higher physical & mental bars. My son started as a first grader, and is in high school now. I am 120% happy about our choice. Honma Dojo was recommended to us by a Japanese father who is familiar with karate, whose son had tried several Japanese places. He pointed out how Honma Sensei will make sure a high standard of kata is achieved, and one will not be embarrassed in Japan with easy color belts. I highly recommend making a long-term investment in experiencing this special place. There is nowhere else that will give a child a priceless example of how people respect one another, how we can be strong & kind at the same time, how we are all humble human beings with no one above another - with the perks of getting physically fit, and learning to handle physical contact (both helpful if your child plays sports, or because your child doesn't). I think any exposure to authentic culture is a great plus for any child esp in this global age, and a place that is safe while offering challenges is key to healthy & maximal growth of any person esp kids who are full of crazy individual potential...whether the setting is academic, sports or spiritual. read more

This school combines traditional karate courtesy and discipline with a larger set of techniques than most. Applications of kata to self-defense are taught, so you actually practice moves that most schools only do to the air. Sweeps and takedowns are permitted in sparring, and one class is devoted to practicing them. Training is arduous but not brutal, and includes push-ups and sit-ups every class. Sparring is done under kyokushin rules, and the contact is light by the standards of most kyokushin dojos. Experienced students are encouraged to hit each other hard, though, once they have demonstrated that they can control themselves with smaller people and beginners. In some respects, it's a very conservative school, but one with an open attitude and a friendly atmosphere. read more

My son has been studying karate at Honma dojo for six years. Honma Sensei is a truly gifted teacher. He balances compassion and discipline beautifully, giving all his students a sense of security while inspiring them to be the best they can be. Kids, and adults, will find a real community here. We credit Honma Sensei with helping shape a rather shy and self doubting child into a very confident and most importantly, kind young man. His teachings go way beyond the dojo. My son simply loves class! Karate is taken very seriously here, Japanese traditions are honored and respected, but class is still just really fun. My son never wants to stop going! read more

If you are interested in traditional Karate instruction, this is a great option. The classes are challenging, but the Dojo is made up of a wide variety of students and everyone is encouraged to progress at their own pace. I've been training here for over a year and both the instruction and students are wonderful. read more

I am very fortunate to have discovered Honma Dojo for my son and myself. The instructor is truly dedicated to bringing the best experience to each and everyone of his students. I would encourage anyone looking for a chance to experience the unique benefits of an authentic traditional martial art form to investigate this school. read more