My grandson was a member of another dojo in town prior to Budokan, while he was there I felt like…read morehe was just another number. The Sensei of the club was attentive when he was trying to get my son to join, but after a few months he couldn't even remember his name. Literally--he wrote the kids names in markers on their gi's so that the instructors could remember them. The level of training we receive now at Budokan is far superior to anything I experienced previously. Not only is it less expensive, but it's clear that Sensei Ken cares about his students. He really makes them feel like they belong, they are more disciplined and the techniques are far more advanced. In addition, Sensei is the one who actually teaches the classes, in our last dojo the Sensei had young teenage students instructing while he would make appearances in the last five minutes. It's a pleasure to see an instructor teaching because he loves the art. I have been so happy with Budokan that my husband and I joined as well and now we go as a family.

Our son started when he was six or so, and he is still going now at age 17 (and a junior black…read morebelt). Shudokan is a great place to train your mind, spirit, and body and they make each newcomer feel welcome and appreciated.

We first found the dojo when my oldest child turned 5, and we decided that some karate classes were…read morein order to help him burn off all the extra energy. As a parent I sat and watched the class in the nice open dojo (not like some of the other dojos we visited where parents are kept behind glass, or worse - not allowed to watch at all!) and was really impressed with the varied, challenging, and fun exercises he was doing. The children's instructors at this dojo are really quite genius at getting the kids involved, keeping them engaged, and teaching respect and discipline. After a year we noticed a big difference in my son - he was more focused at home and at school (yes, even at only six years of age!) and he was always ready to go to karate. After watching on the sidelines for a couple years I finally decided it was time to join the dojo myself. I can tell you that this is not a McDojo. The head instructor, Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, is the chief instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karatedo Federation (I.O.G.K.F.) and holds a seventh degree black belt. Other instructors are similarly highly ranked and they have truly earned their positions. This is a place where you work hard to move up the ranks... don't expect a black belt in one year! However, it is also a friendly and welcoming place where there is a real sense of community. I have been a student at Shudokan for six years now and have loved every minute of it!

I ran into a situation where my daughter and I were eating ice cream at scoops on viscount and she…read moreneeded the potty. I walked to dance extreme and asked them kindly if my 3 yr old can use their bathroom. The lady rejected us and it was very embarrassing and frustrating. Next door was Olympic martial Arts...upon entering I notice there's a class going on this giant mat and the bathroom is on the other side. I figured I'm probably going to get rejected again and was getting ready to just leave. The gentleman teaching the class saw me and asked me what he can do to help. I didn't even tell him what happened next door but just that my 3 yr old needed the bathroom. He stopped his class so my daughter and I can walk right through the mats in between his students and access the bathroom in the back. He just asked that we take our shoes off before stepping on the mat. And then unfortunately we had to interrupt his class again to exit. It was such a small gesture and such a basic necessity but it made a huge difference for us. To think that dance extreme rejected us and their bathrooms aren't located anywhere inconvenient in their building was disheartening. This man stopped his class twice so my little girl can get to the bathroom. Not to mention his young students were watching and observing what was going on. It's a small gesture but it also taught the kids something that were in there. Martial Arts teaches respect and patience and it reflected on that class yesterday evening. This is the type of environment and sport I want my daughter in.

From the owner: Little Dragons programs for children age 4to6.Childrens classes ages 7 to 12. And adult classes all…read moreages. Also run a cardio kick boot camp set to high energy music.

I am a mature adult martial arts student. I have trained elsewhere. At Toraguchi you do much more…read morethan train. It is a true nurturing, 'get the best out of me' dojo. This provides self-improvement of mind, body and spirit to all students - young and old. Opened in 1999, it is family owned and operated with an expansive set of connections within the martial arts community locally and internationally. It is a friendly and informative learning atmosphere with a Sensei who always attends directly to students growth. The instruction is tailored to each student, not to a dojo 'formula' or teaching method. We all are individuals and treated as such. Sensei Jonathan teaches all classes, and students routinely get one on one guidance. He maintains traditional GoJu Ryu karate values of courtesy and respect. There are regular on the mat in depth discussions as to the 'why's' behind what is taught. This greatly helps student's understanding of the meaning and connection between techniques. Sensei constantly educates himself, and this shows in the way he teaches students. He has a wealth of practical knowledge and teaches it well. Parents bring their children to attend classes; then join themselves.....what better reference can you get. The dojo is very conveniently located close to the QEW at Bronte, Lakeshore and Bronte Go Station in Oakville, with ample free parking. I highly recommend this dojo.

High quality and caring members of the Toraguchi team makes this dojo a one off a kind.read more

one of the sensei used to be friends with someone i know and because the sensei decided to end the…read morefriendship, the dojo terminated the child's contract (child of person i know) without notice. the child had nothing to do with the matter and was treated unfairly. as a result the child has to start over again at another dojo after 6 plus years of training with this dojo. a major set back and now the child has to relearn new stuff at a new dojo. not fair to the child. why would they do that. i would not recommend this dojo since they don't seem to respect children.

Super welcoming, and hard working atmosphere. This dojo is great because all belt levels train…read moretogether, the focus is always on each person improving (no matter their belt level or experience) It is an excellent way to improve focus!

From the owner: Ronin Kai Karate is a Karate style based on Kyokushin Karate and incorporates specialized take-down…read moreand throwing techniques.

We canceled a contract with Pinnacle Martial Arts within the 10 day cooling off period as…read morelegislated in Ontario. The contract was signed and paid for on October 25 2021. I withdrew my daughter on October 27, in email and in hand delivered letter, which was handed off in person. My money has not been returned to date. For the first week I was told the money was being held in an account and presumably be returned once it was released. Since then I have received no reply to my multiple attempts to contact them via email and phone. Now, I've had to resort to leaving a poor review in-order to get the company's attention. I don't like leaving bad reviews and I don't usually do it, but I am owed 561.61 dollars from them and that is alot of money to me.

I was disappointed in the adult fitness classes. You do not get much of a workout. I walked out…read morefeeling like I had almost no cardio or strength training after a one hour class.

It's been a long time since I last stepped into their school. I spent a good deal of money on…read moretheir high-end membership for a year and ended up disappointed by how big an ego some of the higher-belt and teacher members had. Very clicky and not at all focused on teaching new members. Seemed only interested in hardcore members and those willing to spend more on their services, products, and tournaments. Eventually, I ended up saying goodbye to my money, no chum change either, and stopped attending. No one bothered to reach out and find out if I was even alive. Totally forgot about it till recently, when my own kids showed interest in the art. No way I'd sign them up there!!!

My son like Karate, instructor is kind and pay attention to my son's movement!read more