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Kyokushin Karate USA

5 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Rochester, New York

Part of Kyokushin Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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

  • 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
  • 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 kyokushinkarateusa.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 585-224-9316

Hours

Monday 5:30–8:30 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5:30–8:30 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 am–1 pm
Sunday Closed

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 Kyokushin Karate USA, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 4 mentions

“They are absolutely focused on helping children, teens, adults and ultimately families grow physically, spiritually and mentally.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

Teens

“They are absolutely focused on helping children, teens, adults and ultimately families grow physically, spiritually and mentally.”

All dojos that run teens →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“I have been doing karate for 9 years and the teachers are the best and karate is fun and it teaches you how to protect yourself”

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 Kyokushin Karate USA — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“It’s really like a second family and the skills taught are so important, in self defense AND daily life skills.”

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 19 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 6 mentions

“It’s really like a second family and the skills taught are so important, in self defense AND daily life skills.”

active competition / tournament team 5 mentions

“Incredible wisdom and experience in every class, fantastic community of peers & Yudansha & a world leader in events, seminars and tournaments (USA IFK).”

traditional style & affiliation 8 mentions

“Nowhere else in North America can you train with an instructor that has 60 yrs of Kyokushin experience & has trained under all the masters (Sosai, Soshu and Hanshi Arneil).”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 8 mentions

“They are absolutely focused on helping children, teens, adults and ultimately families grow physically, spiritually and mentally.”

From the reviews

We have 2 boys that just started training in Kyokushin Karate. Our boys have learned and improved so much in a few short months. The staff are all very friendly and want to see the kids succeed. Our boys are already becoming more focused, confident, and stronger even outside of the dojo.

★★★★★ — Karen, Oct 2022

I’m currently out of training for personal reasons, but have been a student of this dojo for a very long time. The black belts of this dojo are absolutely top notch and will help build a strong foundation in your life both physically and mentally, not to mention teach you great skills to defend yourself or get into…

★★★★★ — Ariana, Oct 2022

Shihan Monaco & the USA IFK Honbu dojo are the cream of the crop. Nowhere else in North America can you train with an instructor that has 60 yrs of Kyokushin experience & has trained under all the masters (Sosai, Soshu and Hanshi Arneil).

★★★★★ — Sean, Mar 2026

This is one of those rare Karate schools that are genuinely in it for all the right reasons. They are absolutely focused on helping children, teens, adults and ultimately families grow physically, spiritually and mentally.

★★★★★ — Bulent, Sep 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Kyokushin Karate USA

Kyokushin Karate USA 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Kyokushin Karate USA

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 Kyokushin Karate USA

Located inside the World Gym, StoneRidge Plaza, 1550 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY14615

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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.