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Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley

5 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Berkeley, California

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (510) 655-9446

Hours

Monday 6–7:30 PM
Tuesday 4–8:15 PM
Wednesday 5–8:30 PM
Thursday 4–8:15 PM
Friday 6–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday 9 AM–12:30 PM

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 7 mentions

“My son has been training with Sensei Todd for about three years and really loves it, and he still learns things and gets better every time.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“Great place to learn traditional karate, excellent instructors, very kind and patient, would highly recommend to anyone from beginners to experienced martial artists!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“He is able to weave traditional karate instruction with practical tips for real world self-defense.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense

“He is able to weave traditional karate instruction with practical tips for real world self-defense.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 20 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 4 mentions

“Great place to learn traditional karate, excellent instructors, very kind and patient, would highly recommend to anyone from beginners to experienced martial artists!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Great place to learn traditional karate, excellent instructors, very kind and patient, would highly recommend to anyone from beginners to experienced martial artists!”

friendly, respectful dojo 13 mentions

“My family has been training with the amazing team at East Bay Seido for almost a year and we are loving it.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“My kids love it and feel confident there, even though they barely understand a word and have never done Karate before.”

traditional style & affiliation 3 mentions

“Great place to learn traditional karate, excellent instructors, very kind and patient, would highly recommend to anyone from beginners to experienced martial artists!”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 5 mentions

“My son has developed discipline, respect, confidence, and body awareness at the dojo.”

From the reviews

My kids just started there and do not speak English. Everyone has been more than welcoming and doing their best to communicate with my kids! An amazing place with a very warm and welcoming atmosphere! My kids love it and feel confident there, even though they barely understand a word and have never done Karate before.

★★★★★ — Géraldine, Sep 2015

I'm fairly new here, and new to martial arts in general. As an adult entering the world of martial arts, I was a bit nervous about how it would go - wondering if I'd feel out of place, or perhaps I'm starting too late. East Bay Seido Karate was extremely welcoming from the moment I walked in.

★★★★★ — Patrick, Oct 2022

I've been training at East Bay Seido for a few years and it is fantastic. Sensei Todd is an incredible teacher who is engaging, knowledgeable, and welcoming. He is able to weave traditional karate instruction with practical tips for real world self-defense.

★★★★★ — Jeff, May 2022

I've trained at East Bay Seido Karate for about seven years and I love it!! Sensei Todd really cares about his students and treats them like family. He's an amazing karateka and has tremendous discipline. He's also a great teacher and is very patient with everyone he encounters.

★★★★★ — Scott, Jul 2015

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley

Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley 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.

Call about beginner classes: (510) 655-9446

Your first Karate class at Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley

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.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Jin Sei Ryu Karate-Do Berkeley

1940 Bonita Ave, Berkeley, CA94704

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.