In the tradition of Japanese Judo the Nakano Judo Academy offers a complete Judo program with daily classes, technical sessions, strength and conditioning. Students will learn to strengthen both the mind and body. Improve mental strength, manner, respect, discipline, fairness, patience, modesty, courage and power of concentration at daily classes.
Learning new techniques, weed out bad habits, or observe pure and effective Japanese Judo at daily classes and technical classes. Develop physical strength and motor skills. Improve balance, flexibility, coordination, endurance at daily classes and conditioning & strength classes. Judo is an international sport originating from Japan.
Learning new techniques, weed out bad habits, or observe pure and effective Japanese Judo at daily classes and technical classes. Develop physical strength and motor skills. Improve balance, flexibility, coordination, endurance at daily classes and conditioning & strength classes. Judo is an international sport originating from Japan.
Services
The Nakano Judo Academy was established with the goal of bringing up world class Judo players in America. The primary challenge in combat sport competition is to be able to recognize when to initiate a particular technique and then be able to execute very complex movements in only a matter of seconds.
Instill discipline, respect and building self-confidence through judo traditional etiquette and Judo philosophy. It's so much fun to see your kid develop key physical, motor and social skills through Judo! Young children experience their world through movement. As they grow and explore their environment, they develop physical and motor skills.
Nakano-sensei learned really early traditional style of judo. He brings us back to basics and tweaks things so it is a little more correct. He gives a lot of one-on-one attention, so if you have a question he knows the answer. He's gonna help you and every time he sees you make the same mistake, he will fix it and remind you.
At Nakano Judo Summer Camps your child will participate in active sports-specific skill development, enjoy fitness games, educational activities like Japanese lessons, and creating friendships! Please pack lunches for your campers since only snacks and water will be provided. High school teens ages 14 to 18 are encouraged to volunteer as camp leaders to receive Community Service Hours for their graduation requirements.
The Japan Study Camp & Tour was founded to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan - the birthplace of Judo. With France coming in number 2 and Russia in number 3, Japan came in first with the most medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, taking 3 gold, 1 silver, and 8 bronze medals. During the 2017 and 2018 trip, the tour included a 12 day immersion in Japanese culture.
Reviews (24)
Anabella Zuluaga
Nov 04, 2021
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Sergii N.
Oct 12, 2021
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Nakano Judo Academy is one of the best Judo schools in California, and possibly the United States, if you really want to learn real Judo. Sensei Nakano is one of the best Judo specialists I have ever met in my life. I know what I am talking about because before I met him I had more than twenty-five years of training experience in different countries (the former USSR then Ukraine, Germany, Austria, France), first it was my own experience, and the last 12 years the experience of my sons. For the last five years, both of my sons have been training at the Nakano Judo Academy
Dago S.
Sep 13, 2021
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I enrolled my 7 year old daughter a few months back. She has learned discipline,self defense and gained confidence. They have a free trial class incase your interested in checking it out. We did the free class and my daughter loved it. Everyone here is friendly and covid guidelines are followed so it's very clean. Once my son is old enough I will enroll him to. Highly recommended!
Ricky B.
Aug 09, 2021
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So its been several months. All I can say is wow!?. Who knew that there were actually extracurricular activities out there that require an enormous amount of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, and somehow your kids love doing it.
Shintaro somehow makes Judo both fun and serious at the same time. My kids and all the kids that come here love him and the martial arts that they learn every single day.
I really hope Shintaro stays around for a long time. I want my kids to be here until they are done with high school. So happy we found this place.
Shintaro somehow makes Judo both fun and serious at the same time. My kids and all the kids that come here love him and the martial arts that they learn every single day.
I really hope Shintaro stays around for a long time. I want my kids to be here until they are done with high school. So happy we found this place.
Mark O.
May 10, 2021
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Fairly new to the gym, but I can already tell that there is a great culture of respect and a high level of Judo training going on. Every person I have met here is welcoming and helpful. It may seem like a place geared more for kids at first, but there are a lot of adults training hard late into the evenings. The Instructor is very kind but you can immediately see why he was a national champion once he demonstrates how to do throws, chokes, and joint locks. There is a speed and smoothness that only comes from a lifetime of experience in his movement.
This is a real gem in the Bay Area where legit
This is a real gem in the Bay Area where legit
Boba T.
Jul 13, 2020
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Thy N.
Dec 06, 2019
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David Monteverde
Nov 19, 2019
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This dojo is very well run, and has a warm and friendly atmosphere. I can't praise Nakano sensei enough for his dedication to his students, the results being evident in tournaments, as well as in the camaraderie that can be felt in daily practice. I've trained in several dojos in the US and Japan, and I really like the balance between traditional old-style judo and modern contest-oriented judo that Nakano sensei has adopted. You can tell that the techniques he teaches are well-grounded in practical experience, and that the technical expertise goes very deep. This school is a real gem in Northern
Quyen T.
Sep 17, 2019
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This is the right place for those who love Japanese Judo!
Sensei Nakano is absolutely a great instructor, he is enthusiastic, his teaching focuses on not only judo techniques and physical strength, but also good manner, discipline, mutual respect, and mental strength.
The staff and teaching assistants are amazing, providing observation, comments and support during their learners practice time, mistakes will be noticed and fixed right away.
For young beginners, the kids will feel a part of the class right in the first time, and gain more confidence thanks to the support and encouragement from
Sensei Nakano is absolutely a great instructor, he is enthusiastic, his teaching focuses on not only judo techniques and physical strength, but also good manner, discipline, mutual respect, and mental strength.
The staff and teaching assistants are amazing, providing observation, comments and support during their learners practice time, mistakes will be noticed and fixed right away.
For young beginners, the kids will feel a part of the class right in the first time, and gain more confidence thanks to the support and encouragement from
Tyler K.
Sep 01, 2019
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Both my boys are going to Nakano judo and are loving every minute of it. Sensei Nakano is very friendly and patient with kids, my boys (10 and 12) are coming to classes 5 times a week, voluntarily! They have become so much stronger physically and skillful in judo since 10 months ago, and made some good friends in class. It's the best decision I made!
Randall Ramirez
Aug 07, 2019
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Since joining Nakano Judo Academy in 2017 my daughter has become a nationally ranked judo player all while maintaining her 4.0 GPA. Nakano Judo Academy helped my daughter not only learn how to defend herself but also how to manage time, set priorities, and focus on creating a successful future. My daughter’s best friends are now her judo teammates and even some of her tournament opponents; the judo community is great for families and creating lifetime bonds. The program is tailored to enhance the students natural abilities and equip them with the best skills. Nakano Sensei prioritizes quality
Saltanat Yesseneyeva
Jul 15, 2019
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My son started attending Judo Academy in October 2018 when he turned 4 years old. From the beginning, he got really interested in practicing, because of very attentive approach that sensei provided. My son is one of those shy kids that need some time to open up to new environments. Nakano Judo Academy helped him to become more confident, resilient, communicative and considerate of others. It's been almost a year now and not only he gained all traits I mentioned above, but also earned yellow/white belt, learned how to count in Japanese, became more disciplined and most importantly improved his physical
N. S. N.
Jul 03, 2019
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I remember walking by Nakano Judo Academy and watching them practice through the window. Sensei Shintaro Nakano greeted us then invited us in to watch the rest of practice. I decided to have my daughter do the 3 day trial on a Wednesday and by Saturday I had all 3 of my kids signed up. I originally only had my daughter try so she could learn self defense but my other kids immediately wanted to join after watching her train. My kids love going to practice. Sensei Nakano offers classes 5 days a week and my kids are there everyday. 7 months later and my 12 year old son has competed in 4 tournaments
Michael O.
Jul 03, 2019
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I have been training with Sensei Shintaro Nakano since I graduated in 2014, but I have known him from when I was training at UCD since 2009 when we would have joint workouts with the SJSU judo team.
He not only has a strong junior program that regularly competes and dominates in tournaments, but also a strong adult program where he takes people with absolutely zero experience and grows them. I brought my friend to one class and since then, he comes regularly and recently earned his green belt.
His student retention is extremely high and injury rate is very low. Usually if someone signs up for
He not only has a strong junior program that regularly competes and dominates in tournaments, but also a strong adult program where he takes people with absolutely zero experience and grows them. I brought my friend to one class and since then, he comes regularly and recently earned his green belt.
His student retention is extremely high and injury rate is very low. Usually if someone signs up for
Margaret T.
Nov 28, 2018
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Shintaro sensei is a world class athlete and instructor. He has competed and been successful in the highest level of judo, as can see by his accolades - https://www.nakanojudo.net/instructors
What makes Shintaro sensei an exceptional teacher, is his ability to distill his vast knowledge, into digestible and applicable pieces for his students. I have personally learned a lot from Shintaro sensei over the years, and he has greatly improved my judo. Beyond that, he is an incredibly patient, but firm teacher, and is able to coach elite Olympians, as well as kids with the same ease.
TRAIN HERE if
What makes Shintaro sensei an exceptional teacher, is his ability to distill his vast knowledge, into digestible and applicable pieces for his students. I have personally learned a lot from Shintaro sensei over the years, and he has greatly improved my judo. Beyond that, he is an incredibly patient, but firm teacher, and is able to coach elite Olympians, as well as kids with the same ease.
TRAIN HERE if
Susan Y.
Nov 28, 2018
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I know Shintaro Nakano sensei from his time coaching the elite athletes at SJSU and preparing people for the Olympics. He is an amazing instructor and his judo skills are world class. You would be amazed just watching him.
I had the opportunity to train at his new academy in Santa Clara. It is a very clean and vibrant dojo. It is located in the Sprouts plaza behind the Subway and parking is plentiful. The classes are well structured with a good balance of technique and conditioning, which provide an outstanding workout. Shintaro's temperament also makes him a wonderful instructor. He is kind
I had the opportunity to train at his new academy in Santa Clara. It is a very clean and vibrant dojo. It is located in the Sprouts plaza behind the Subway and parking is plentiful. The classes are well structured with a good balance of technique and conditioning, which provide an outstanding workout. Shintaro's temperament also makes him a wonderful instructor. He is kind
Michelle H.
Sep 11, 2018
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I was very impressed by Nakano Academy. The academy atmosphere is bright and welcoming. I couldn't believe the level of detail that Sensei Nakano went into during the kids' class - not just the main movements - but each component (like footwork, grips, speed, timing, off-balancing). He teaches so clearly and provides individual adjustments even in a group setting. He also alternates efficiently between instruction and practice so that the kids are not bored with a long lecture, and he is able to quickly address common mistakes. The randori felt safe at all times, and the students seemed
Iruata Souza
Jun 26, 2018
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I went from Brazil to the Bay Area for a work project. As I didn't want to stop my judo practice, I planned to visit some schools in the first weeks and choose one to keep attending for the rest of the stay. The first day I went to Nakano Judo got me hooked! It's been only a week since I am back home after six months training under Nakano's and I already miss it.
Sensei Shintaro Nakano is a splendid judoka and instructor. His knowledge is vast and solid, from very technical positioning details to fighting strategy and training methodology. There hasn't been a single time where I left practice
Sensei Shintaro Nakano is a splendid judoka and instructor. His knowledge is vast and solid, from very technical positioning details to fighting strategy and training methodology. There hasn't been a single time where I left practice
Jose Jorel B.
Oct 07, 2017
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If your goal is to fine tune judo technical skills, Nakano Sensei is your best bet. We were looking for someone who could bring our kids to higher levels of technique, performance and mindset to excel in their sport. His approach is very focused and disciplined. He helped bring our kids to improved skill levels and competitive abilities.
We enrolled Nakano Sensei's special classes in 2015 and have been with him ever since. He first evaluates prospective students based on their skill levels and makes his assessment. He configures classes to identify weak spots and provides instructions
We enrolled Nakano Sensei's special classes in 2015 and have been with him ever since. He first evaluates prospective students based on their skill levels and makes his assessment. He configures classes to identify weak spots and provides instructions
Seung K.
Sep 29, 2017
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Sensei Nakano is simply the best judo instructor you can find in the bay area, maybe in the US.
His judo skills are very well known in the states, thanks to his many accomplishments as a judo athlete as well as a judo coach in the SJSU, to many US athletes and olympians.
But, to me, his best ability is to be able to break down judo into layman's language. He understands there are more judo novices than accomplished judo players, and his teaching shows how much he cares for helping the novices and little children to be better judo players.
I feel so lucky to be a part of such a great judo
His judo skills are very well known in the states, thanks to his many accomplishments as a judo athlete as well as a judo coach in the SJSU, to many US athletes and olympians.
But, to me, his best ability is to be able to break down judo into layman's language. He understands there are more judo novices than accomplished judo players, and his teaching shows how much he cares for helping the novices and little children to be better judo players.
I feel so lucky to be a part of such a great judo
Alronil Pacheco
Aug 31, 2017
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Judo was introduced to me about 2 years ago. It was at this time I started attending Nakano Judo Academy by coincidence through mutual connections. Being new to the club, I found the atmosphere welcoming to all skill levels from beginners to well seasoned athletes. World class judoka and head instructor, Shintaro Nakano, was a member of the Japanese National Team and later taught judo at San Jose State University demonstrating his experience as both an athlete and a coach. His teaching style is meticulous with each technique broken down step by step, incorporates tips and tricks from experience
Radu Ursu
Jul 31, 2017
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Nakano Judo Academy is where me and my daughter train Judo. It is the best Judo program in the Bay Area and I will explain why.
My daughter has practiced Judo for a few years before joining this program. She had one or two throws that she was good at but over the years she started loosing interest in the sport and started loosing confidence in herself to a point where she wanted to quit Judo completely. I talked to Sensei Nakano about this and he recommended a set of classes which are mostly focused on technique and not so much on randori. She has been with this club for more than a year now and
My daughter has practiced Judo for a few years before joining this program. She had one or two throws that she was good at but over the years she started loosing interest in the sport and started loosing confidence in herself to a point where she wanted to quit Judo completely. I talked to Sensei Nakano about this and he recommended a set of classes which are mostly focused on technique and not so much on randori. She has been with this club for more than a year now and
Arik-Quang Dao
Jun 30, 2017
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Nakano Judo Academy offers a wide range of programs for juniors, teens, and adults. Nakano Sensei and staff instructors bring professionalism and enthusiasm to every class. I have been training with the academy as a senior and have the opportunity to observe the junior classes, as well as the adult programs for both competition and technical judo. For the juniors, I see all of the kids learning sound judo techniques and having fun in the process. For teenagers who are aiming to become elite players, I have seen strong competition training with a wide range of body types to train with. For seniors
Jeff Comstock
Jun 26, 2017
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This is the best gym for Judo hands down. The environment is friendly while maintaining hard training. There are many different skill levels present. The head instructor Shintaro Nakano is not only a world class judoka but an excellent teacher. He is very thorough in passing on his knowledge and dedicates his time to all his students, regardless of skill level. I highly recommend training here. I believe there is a trial period if you wish to check it out!
