Home › Washington › Seattle › Emerald City Karate
Emerald City Karate
4.8 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Seattle, Washington
Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.
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 (ages 4–12) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule emeraldcitykarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (206) 437-3932
Hours
| Monday | 3–8:15 PM |
| Tuesday | 3–8:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 2–8 PM |
| Thursday | 3–8:15 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“We found Emerald City Karate for their summer camps, and my son was so enamored he signed up for karate in the fall - and he brought a bunch of friends, too.”
“Great for adults and kids, but especially for parents interested in training along with their kids.”
Other martial arts here
What students say
“If we lived just a little bit closer we’d have signed our kiddo up without hesitation, because Sensei James is amazing with the kiddos.”
“Tobey and Reina (and all the instructors) are not only welcoming, but are also very involved in creating a community at the dojo and in the neighborhood.”
“He loves that it feels like family and is a place he can feel safe and supported while practicing karate.”
“Senseis Tobey, James, Oscar, Gavin are all wonderful, they all do provide disciplined love and encouragement to all students.”
From the reviews
We love this place! Our 6 year old has been coming here for almost a year and it has been a completely positive experience for him. Sensei Tobey is a master at engaging and inspiring the littles. The tempo and cadence of the class is fun and challenging, sometimes funny and always super cute.
Great for adults and kids, but especially for parents interested in training along with their kids. A great environment for fitness and learning.
Sensei Tobey and his team are amazing to work with. I just completed the 2 week trial (adult program) and I couldn't be more thrilled. I think the most amazing aspect was the sense of community built from day 1. The other students were as warm and welcoming as the instructors.
My son has been a part of this dojo for nine years, since he was six years old. He loves that it feels like family and is a place he can feel safe and supported while practicing karate. Over the years he has attended camps and parent's night out events in addition to karate classes.
New to Karate? Start at Emerald City Karate
Emerald City Karate comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. 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 Emerald City Karate
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 Seattle
Washington Karate
4.1 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews
Zen Dragon Martial Arts Crown Hill
5 ★★★★★ 31 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
