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Japan Karate Institute
4.7 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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
- 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 5–7) — 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 japankarate-nc.net — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 336-773-0170
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son has been taking classes here for the past year, starting with their Little Ninjas program & he has enjoyed every minute of it.”
“My son has been taking classes here for the past year, starting with their Little Ninjas program & he has enjoyed every minute of it.”
“My husband has since started taking the adult classes and also loves it.”
What students say
“All of the advanced students seem willing to teach the younger ones and respectful of each other, regardless of the color of their belt.”
“As a new student with no martial arts experience, I felt welcome and challenged to discover Wado Ryu and have continued to practice for more than two years.”
“All of the advanced students seem willing to teach the younger ones and respectful of each other, regardless of the color of their belt.”
From the reviews
My daughters started in the Little Ninjas class around 3 years ago, when they were 3 and 5. Since then they have graduated to the big kid's class and have grown in their abilities and confidence. This dojo is very low pressure and the children have a lot of fun in their classes while learning karate.
The instructors here are very talented and committed to karate as a craft. As a new student with no martial arts experience, I felt welcome and challenged to discover Wado Ryu and have continued to practice for more than two years. I plan to do so for many more. A great group of teachers and students.
My son has been taking classes here for the past year, starting with their Little Ninjas program & he has enjoyed every minute of it. Sensei Chris Shaeffer is wonderful with them (not surprising since he is a child psychologist) & exceedingly patient.
Great instructors. Traditional Karate taught by knowledgeable and experienced Senseis
New to Karate? Start at Japan Karate Institute
Japan Karate Institute 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 Japan Karate Institute
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.
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