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Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan

5 ★★★★★ 82 Google reviews · Karate dojo in New York, New York

Karate dojo Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Competition team

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 — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kenwakan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 212-677-7228

Hours

Monday 12–2 pm, 3–8:15 pm
Tuesday 9–11 am, 3–9 pm
Wednesday 12–2 pm, 3–9 pm
Thursday 9–11 am, 3–8:15 pm
Friday 12–2 pm, 3–8:15 pm
Saturday 9:45 am–4 pm
Sunday 10:30 am–1:30 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 Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 15 mentions

“We were incredibly lucky to have had Ken Wa Ken Dojo recommended to us after she endured a terrorizing situation at the hands of a group of much older kids.”

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🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“The dojo fosters a strong sense of community, with a supportive and respectful environment for all levels.”

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🐉 Little Dragons

“Our little ninjas LOVE their class and dojo!”

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Teens

“The community is so welcoming, it is a safe space for teens, and the classes are really good.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

“They don't only teach self defense; I've developed more patience, tolerance, contentment, inner peace, and mind power.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

🥋 Adult Karate

“I’m thinking of signing up for the adult karate class after seeing how quickly our son has picked it up and how good his form looks.”

All dojos that run adult karate →

Other martial arts here

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

🛡️ Self-Defense

“They don't only teach self defense; I've developed more patience, tolerance, contentment, inner peace, and mind power.”

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 82 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 3 mentions

“Maximum respect for the art, excellent instruction, faculty always available to answer questions and provide guidance.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“Besides that, the team at the Dojo creates an incredibly welcoming and warm community feel around the school, which makes it a pleasure for both kids and the parents.”

friendly, respectful dojo 15 mentions

“Ken Wa Kan Dojo is an absolutely outstanding training environment that combines authentic martial arts tradition with an incredibly supportive, community-driven atmosphere.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I’m thinking of signing up for the adult karate class after seeing how quickly our son has picked it up and how good his form looks.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“We’ve seen huge improvements in our son’s ability to focus thanks to Sensei David.”

💗 welcoming to women 3 mentions

“A refreshing exception in the male dominated field of martial arts: a women owned, women led, family dojo.”

From the reviews

“Daddy, karate will be a part of my life and who I am forever. I feel really confident about myself, in my body, and in my mind, and that’s all thanks to Shihan and my Senseis.” The words of my sixteen year old daughter.

★★★★★ — Ciaran, Dec 2025

We have had a wonderful experience at Karate-do Ken Wa Kan over the past 4 years. Our 4 and 7 y/o have learned a lot and made great progress. We love all the teachers and students and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and focused on each students’ unique needs and learning process!

★★★★★ — Navya, Jul 2024

Wonderful in every way. The people are so patient, intelligent, and very nice, especially my Shihan. I really look forward to a long and valuable experience with KenWaKan. They don't only teach self defense; I've developed more patience, tolerance, contentment, inner peace, and mind power.

★★★★★ — Nathan, Dec 2025

Ken Wa Kan Dojo is an absolutely outstanding training environment that combines authentic martial arts tradition with an incredibly supportive, community-driven atmosphere.

★★★★★ — Laura, Dec 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 82 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan

Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan

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 Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan

34 W 15th St Ground floor, New York, NY10011

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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.