My friend and I attended a class as drop ins. As white belts, we both learned a lot from other students. All very polite, humble and skillful. Sensei Nakano was very welcoming towards us. Definitely coming back to train more often!! read more

Nakano Judo Academy is a great dojo to learn to judo. The Bay Area is lucky to have Sensei Nakano, a well known and decorated judoka. This is the best place to learn judo and there is also priority on safety, since we drill the form and falling techniques each class. There are also strength and conditioning classes that have HIIT training, which I highly recommend for fitness. I joined because I moved to the South Bay area and was thrilled to find Nakano Judo. I didn't have the opportunity to do it while I was young though I was always a fan watching it on the Olympics. Judo improved quality of life for me in the Bay Area and continues to improve my physical and mental health. Everyone is very welcoming and friendly here. We all help each other learn and improve our techniques with sensei's expert teaching style. If you are thinking about joining and learning judo, just do it and give it a try. All ages are welcome and there is option to observe and do a trial class. See you on the mat! I recently went on the annual Japanese judo tour and it was an incredible experience getting to observe and train at top universities in Japan and at the Kodokan, the birthplace of judo. It was an incredible privilege to see and learn from famous judoka guests at the different world class universities and Kodokan, like Joshiro Maruyama, Ryunosuke Haga, Takeshi Sasaki, Ken Oyoshii, Keiji Suzuki, Michihiro Omigawa, and Ashida Shoki (Assy Judo), just to name a few.. There were so many judo stars during the judo trip and they are great examples as human beings too. The trip that sensei Nakano leads is a great opportunity to meet judoka from Japan and around the world, as well as experience Japanese culture and food. You won't find this kind of experience elsewhere. Sensei Nakano also has a youtube channel, where you can refresh on the techniques you learned and a few watch lot of judo content. Guests come from Japan and around the world to teach or train, so it's a great opportunity to connect with others this way too. read more

The level of judo here is world class, and the kids are well behaved. Nakano sensei is awesome!

My daughter has been attending Nakano Judo Academy for four years, and her experience has been phenomenal. Sensei Nakano is a well-respected instructor who breaks down difficult judo techniques into simple, step-by-step instruction. Kids and adults of all levels enjoy the classes and have a great time. As an added bonus, Sensei regularly brings in award-winning judokas to train with the kids. If you are looking to learn a new martial art or are simply wanting to get in shape or build strength, I would highly recommend this dojo. read more

Nakano Judo Academy is a wonderful place to learn judo. Nakano Sensei stresses the mastering of foundations for all of his students. Nakano Sensei regularly brings guest judokas from Japan to train with & teach his classes. Nakano Sensei offers conditioning classes 2x a week on days he focuses on ground techniques (T/Th) & randori (grappling) 3x a week (M/W/Sat for kids class) 5x a week for adults (M-Th & Sat) Nakano Judo Academy is the home of many nationally ranked judokas-at tournaments the dojo is a powerhouse: the dojo's stats place them well compared to other dojos who bring more competitors and earn placement due to volume. Nakano Sensei is the very best in the area-people travel as far as Morgan Hill & Fremont to regularly train with him. If you are looking to learn traditional Japanese style judo at a reason rate & be part of a wonderful judo community- Nakano Judo Academy is the place for you. read more

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It's been over a year and our son is competing with kids across the nation. He's developed a extraordinary sense of confidence and an incredible appreciation for hard work. Not to mention, he's made some very close friends that he will likely maintain for the rest of his life. To say this experience has been life changing for a young boy would be an understatement. Best academy in the Bay Area! read more

Nakano Judo Academy - Nakano Judo finished Top 10 in the Judo National Olympics. #2 in the Bay. A testament to an incredible Olympic Medalist Coach - Martial Arts Near Me - Santa Clara, California

The highest quality Judo instructor in the United States. Amazing exchanges with Japan and a wide range of casual to internationally competitive opportunities. read more

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 read more

Nakano Judo Academy - Martial Arts Near Me - Santa Clara, California

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 Judo gyms are quite rare. Lots of wrestlers and BJJ people visit to crosstrain here too so you will gain exposure to those arts as well. Very happy I found this gym and it's totally worth the commute. read more

It is a great atmosphere training here, you will learn a lot for sure and have fun! The pressure free rondori sessions allow you to choose the level of competition you like. read more

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! read more

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 1 month, they are hooked. It is a diverse group of young, old, experienced, novice, competitive, and casual. All the students are very nice and welcoming and are serious about improving their judo. Sensei Nakano is not only highly skilled (check out his achievements below) and experienced, but is also an attentive, approachable, and welcoming instructor. He is always happy to answer any questions and accompany it with a demonstration. Whether you want to get a good workout, are interested in martial arts, or want to become a high level competitor, Sensei Nakano will work with you to achieve your goals. I highly recommend Nakano Judo Academy. ACHIEVEMENTS: Member of the Japanese National team from 1998 to 2008 2007: 5th All Japan Kodokan Cup 66 kg 2007: 3rd All Japan Industrial Championships 66 kg 2006: 5th All Japan Kodokan Cup 66 kg 2006: 2nd All Japan Industrial Championships 66 kg 2004: 1st All Japan Industrial Championships 60 kg 2004: 1st U.S Open 60 kg 2003: 2nd All Japan Industrial Championships 60kg 2002: 3rd Japan College National Championships 60 kg 2002: 2nd Tokyo Collegiate Tournament 60 kg 2001: 3rd All Japan Kodokan Cup 60 kg 2000: 3rd Japan College National Championships 60kg 2000: 2nd Tokyo Collegiate Tournament 60 kg 1999: 1st Japan Junior National Championships 60kg 1999: 5th Russia International Tournament 60 kg 1998: 1st Kyushu Championships 60kg 1997: 1st Kyushu Championships 60kg 1994: 1st Italy Junior International Tournament 60 kg Additionally, he has coached Marti Malloy supporting her bronze medal win at the 2012 London Olympics and silver medal win at the 2013 World Judo Championships. read more

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 and patient, but knows how to push you without being like a drill sergeant. I feel this is especially important for kids. He gives personal attention to all his students and his vast knowledge of judo will definitely improve your game. If you are new to judo, he is a great person to learn from as he is very approachable. If you are looking for a place to train and improve your judo or looking for a new martial art for yourself or your children, I highly recommend Nakano Academy. read more

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 like correct posture and timing for throws or ground work to be effective. His diligence and attention to detail may seem too much at first. However, it is very effective and results will show the difference! Our kids have been able to practice and keep up with experienced and foreign judokas because of the advanced skills and techniques learned from Nakano Sensei. We will continue to use his services to help us meet higher performance and competitive objectives. read more

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 you or your kids want to get amazing workouts & learn good, clean technique from a world class instructor. I drive from San Francisco to attend this class and it is 1000% worth it!! read more

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 and has placed in each one of them. We feel like part of a family since everyone is friendly and has guided us through the whole process. I highly recommend Nakano Judo Academy and I wouldn't go anywhere else! Thank you Sensei Nakano. read more

Nakano Judo Academy - Martial Arts Near Me - Santa Clara, California

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Shintaro Nakano is a great instructor. His background, experience, and overall demeanor towards his students makes Judo a fun sport. Being an adult working three different jobs, I wish I had started doing Judo especially with someone like Sensei when I was little. I highly recommend anyone who wants to start in martial arts learn from Nakano sensei. Also, the one-on-one sessions with Shintaro helped me identify what I was lacking in my Judo throwing techniques. He is very attentive to detail and will make sure you understand the concept and apply it when in randori or in competition. He is very patient and very straight forward with instruction. I cannot say enough nice things about this academy! read more

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 time with each one of his students to ensure they learn and practice the proper ways of real traditional Japanese judo. Sensei Shintaro Nakano is easily one of the best if not the best coach for judo techniques in the country. Nakano Judo Academy frequently receives visits from World Champions, Olympic Champions, the top judo players in the world, and the elite university teams, for training sessions and assistant coaching. I highly recommend Nakano Judo Academy for everyone looking to add fitness into their lifestyles, wanting to learn a martial art, or seeking to take their judo skills to the highest level. read more

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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 I can see my daughter happy again going to Judo practice. She made friends and practices are fun too, but most important I can see her technique improved a lot both on the ground work as well as standing. This makes me and my wife very happy. I practiced Judo for a long time. Started in Europe and then later in the Bay Area. Coming from Europe it was only a dream to learn proper Japanese Judo. Even though I am a pretty decent fighter, my technique is not top level. I benefit a lot from his teachings and I am impressed how I could pick up new combinations and techniques, even at my age and with all my past habits. I knew Sensei Nakano from the time when he was coaching elite athletes at San Jose State but I could not attend that program because of the schedule. It is just a dream that I can now take his classes. His technique is so smooth that he makes it look so easy when he demonstrates a technique. I totally trust Nakano Sensei with the development of my daughter. He is a role model for me and everybody that loves Judo and sessions at his dojo are fun both for kids and adults at the same time. read more

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My son loves this place. The intructor is very good and nice. Most parents love this place. I would highly recommending this place!

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 dojo, led by a great instructor and a person. I highly recommend this place without any hesitation. read more

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 and his staff. It would be really enjoyable for parents to watch their kids practice with Sensei Nakano and with their classmates. For adult learners, you can find different programs suitable to your needs and purposes. Absolutely, Nakano Judo Academy is the place to start Judo lessons and to nurture your love for Japanese Judo. It's worth your time and money- small investment for physical, mental and spiritual health. read more

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! read more

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 to respect one another. We look forward to visiting again! read more

I did two classes of beginners Judo at the Caio Terra Academy location recently, and for me, having had knee surgery back in Feb, I'm really cautious in what I'm doing with my legs and knees, and of course, Judo is a lot of footwork, and throws, etc., so my only fear in a sense, was how I could handle a fundamentals class. First off, the facility is clean, and welcoming, the mats are very nice to train on. I trained at this facility when it was previously the Institute of Martial Arts location, so I was familiar with the layout, but very impressed to see how it's transformed to suit the BJJ and Judo arts. Sensei Shintaro Nakano is very welcoming, and his instruction is detailed, and broken-down to help you understand the movements, and flow. The assistant coaches, one name I remember (from only having 2 classes), is Anthony, he was very helpful as well, and very technical. I can get a sense and understanding that the instruction provided here is top notch, and know that as a newcomer to Judo, that I'm receiving quality instruction. Training in a Gi is completely new to me, and I thought that it would be real uncomfortable, and awkward, but it actually moves rather well. If you want to try this out, this is definitely the right place to learn and train from. They have Gi's you can use to loan for your initial training too, which is what I used. All the other students were very respectful, helpful, a welcoming to be around. In my experience with gyms, the 3 things I look for, are 1) Quality and skills of the instructors and program 2) The layout, cleanliness of the facility 3) The overall environment, welcoming, how other students treat each other, if those 3 are good, then it's my choice, and for me the Judo program fit all 3 of those. --quick background info on my mention of knee surgery (was for torn meniscus) I had early Feb 2015 (I train MMA/NoGi/Kickboxing/Boxing at Institute of Martial Arts, and returned to training, initially limited, at end of February 2015, and continue strength rehab for my legs) Just in case anyone is reads this and wonders about my reference to knee surgery. read more

I recommend Sensei Shintaro and dojo. Instructor is very good, welcoming & nice. I hope my daughter sticks with practice and maintains her schoolwork. I wish she started doing judo when she was little. read more

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, and shows a clear passion for the sport. With a variety of classes offered for kids, juniors, and seniors, the academy is suitable for anyone interested in learning and practicing judo. I highly recommend training here! read more

It's a very nice and safe place for my kids to practice judo. Sensei Nakano is very patient and kind, and my kids love him. They are having so much fun doing judo! Highly recommend it! read more

It is a rare to find a combination of having successfully competed at the top level and being a good teacher. Students of all levels will benefit from studying with Nakano-sensei, who has increasing levels of details in teaching the various techniques in both learning and sparring settings. Having a good model to imitate is icing on the cake as well. I also feel that, especially, young students will benefit even more, since they still can make those crisp movements that Nakano-sensei demonstrates. High recommended! read more

Both my kids currently study judo with Nakano-sensei. Not only is his technique impeccable but he is a great mentor to even the youngest of children. To be clear, he coaches Olympians and he was an accomplished judoka in Japan. The Bay Area is really lucky to have such a great martial artist and teacher in the area - you should definitely be taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from him. read more

I started learning Judo with Sensei Shintaro this past November and I am really enjoying the classes. Shintaro is very friendly and makes learning Judo fun while also being challenging. His assistant instructor Sensei Anthony is also very knowledgable and helpful. They both really take the time to break down the techniques to make sure that all the students understand the movements. I would recommend that anyone interested in learning Judo come and try out a class with Shintaro. read more

Sensei Nakano is a well-known and highly respected judoka in California. Before graduating from UCLA, my old sensei who was on the United States Judo Federation Board and my old teammates highly recommended him for me to continue judo with him. Without a doubt, Sensei Nakano's judo dojo has been a familiar and welcoming space for me to practice my techniques. I have improved so much in the past month of practicing here. Even though judo can be intimidating, Sensei is very patient and very kind so don't worry about trying it out :) you will get so much out of Sensei's classes! read more

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 shape. We are truly grateful to find this place for our son and having kindest, most supportive sensei and an amazing person Shintaro. At every practice, he diligently teaches our son and other students to become better at judo and more prepared for real life. read more

I would just like to acknowledge the Great judo instructional experiences I have had with Nakano Judo Academy ! It is worth mentioning that though my only instructional experiences have been in a private 1-on-1 session format so far, I really appreciate the following specific aspects of Nakano sensei's instruction there : a) He really checks in and listens to his student for what they are seeking to learn and accomplish and he is really willing to work with the student to achieve their goal(s) b) He consistently is punctual and brings a very positive and enthusiastic attitude to teaching each training session c) He is very detail-oriented and is very good at breaking down all the technical aspects of whatever technique, or knowledge he is instructing on d) He exceeded my expectations by focusing more on providing a very high quality learning experience, than simply cutting off the private lesson at the end of the time initially purchased, which has actually led to extended or additional bonus instructional time ! I have not yet attended his group classes, but I look forward to trying these out next ! read more

My 7 year old is coming here for last 6 months and I must say, I see significant change in his personality. Instructor Shintaro and his team makes the learning a fun activity. It's amazing to see so many black belts teaching little kids to learn judo skills. I would highly recommend this place and specially if you are looking your kid to learn not only judo skills but also gain physical & mental strength. read more

Having originally no fighting experience I was at first scared of taking Judo. However after spending the last five weeks at Sensei Shintaro's gym, it has become the thing I look forward to after a long and stressful day. Sensei Shintaro's explanations and demonstrations help his students understand even the most complex of moves. In conjunction with the help of his highly knowledgable assistant coach, Anthony, all students will get enough guidance to learn all moves. Nakano Judo is a warm welcoming environment that fosters learning for judoka of all skill levels. I would highly recommend anyone in the area looking for a gym to go here. read more

Prior to joining I had no judo experience. Regardless I was welcomed by everyone in the gym. The community is warm and very friendly. There is a wide variety of students ranging from children to adults. People who come one time a week to those who come five times a week. The teaching is world class. Sensei Nakano is not the type of teacher who boast about his credentials. He lets his skills and teachings do the talking for him. I only recently found out that he was an active competitor on the Japanese national team for 8 years. He is a humble coach who takes pride in his work. He puts teaching his students as his #1 priority. The gym is more than just one coach as well. There is a group of assistant coaches all very skilled and patient with their teaching. Do not be afraid to ask for help, everyone is very willing to answer your questions. read more

The best Judo sensei I've ever seen. Very nice class for kids and adults. All the details, techniques are absolutely perfect! The assistant instructors are awesome too. Worth every penny. Highly recommended!! read more

I'm a 10+ year Gracie Jiu Jitsu practitioner and I was looking for a traditional judo professor and academy to help me elevate my fundamental throwing techniques. I found Shintaro sensei and his academy through an extensive search throughout the greater Bay Area. Shintaro sensei is a true martial arts master - patient, respectful, knowledgeable and detail oriented. Not all martial artists can teach effectively, however Shintaro sensei is an excellent teacher who leads by example and has an approach that is easy to follow - regardless of skill level or athletic ability (I'm 45 years old). His teaching technique is among the best I've had the pleasure to experience. His academy is immaculately clean, open and there is plenty of space to practice. If I had to choose one place to learn and practice traditional judo, I would choose Nakano Judo Academy. read more

My son enjoys leaning Judo here. Nakano Sensei and his assistants are very friendly and patient with my son so that encourage him to try difficult move for him. read more