Home › New Jersey › Clifton › Academy of Koei-Kan Karate-Do Clifton Honbu Dojo
Academy of Koei-Kan Karate-Do Clifton Honbu Dojo
5 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Clifton, New Jersey
Plan your first class
- Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule koeikanclifton.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 973-546-2422
Hours
| Monday | 7–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 7–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7–8:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10–11:30 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“That’s why my son trained under him but he is also a close friend and brother to me.”
“for those who are looking for original traditional karate🇯🇵👊 the first time I trained there was in 2003”
What students say
“Sensei Lopez is not only a phenomenal instructor but also one of the best black belts I ever saw.”
“This place is so much more than a Karate Dojo, it's a family, and one I'm proud to be part of!”
“They teach discipline, focus and technique with patience and kindness.”
“for those who are looking for original traditional karate🇯🇵👊 the first time I trained there was in 2003”
“They teach discipline, focus and technique with patience and kindness.”
From the reviews
Sensei Lopez is not only a phenomenal instructor but also one of the best black belts I ever saw. That’s why my son trained under him but he is also a close friend and brother to me. No better instructor for any child. His dojo. Is the only dojo to train in.
Absolutely the best dojo in the area... for those who are looking for original traditional karate🇯🇵👊 the first time I trained there was in 2003
My son has been with Koei-Kan Clifton since he was 5 years old. They teach discipline, focus and technique with patience and kindness. In fact, they care enough to ensure children actually learn and master skills they can use on and off the mat, before advancing them up the ranks.
Love this place. I'm biased though. Started when I was ten, back in martial arts craze of drive in movies...I grew up here. Its funny how blood, sweat and laughter can build a family. Koei Kan is more than a dojo...its a legacy that began in Clifton 10/31/1965. After 60yr, they still kicking, literally!
New to Karate? Start at Academy of Koei-Kan Karate-Do Clifton Honbu Dojo
Academy of Koei-Kan Karate-Do Clifton Honbu Dojo comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Karate class at Academy of Koei-Kan Karate-Do Clifton Honbu Dojo
Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More Karate dojos near Clifton
NJ IFK Kyokushin Karate USA
5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site