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Okaigan Karate
4.5 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Cupertino, California
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
- Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule okaigan.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 408-257-4116
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–8 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8 pm |
| Friday | 5–6 pm |
| Saturday | 9–11:30 am |
| Sunday | 1–2:30 pm |
The classes they run
“Training is serious, kids are taught to aim for excellence, and the dojo adhers to Shotokan karate style.”
What students say
“Sensei Mary is the best teacher my son could have got - not just for learning Karate, but also for learning valuable life lessons!”
“We especially appreciate the focus on all-around learning.”
From the reviews
Really a great dojo. Incredible instructors, great friendships and great exercise. Also awesome coaches and very successful competitive teams. Quite often, dojo students make it on Team USA.
My son has been going to Okaigan for a few years now. Sensei Mary is the best teacher my son could have got - not just for learning Karate, but also for learning valuable life lessons!
Okaigan Dojo in Cupertino is an exceptional place for kids to learn Karate. Sensei Mary Crawford is remarkable and is known for building a strong teacher-student bond, providing the exact structured guidance my daughter needs to thrive both on and off the mat. We especially appreciate the focus on all-around learning.
Great instructors. The owner, Sensei Mary is amazing. Regular classes and even belt testing happened on normal schedule over zoom during covid shutdown. In person classes are now open with updated safety protocols already in place for covid19.
New to Karate? Start at Okaigan Karate
Okaigan 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 Okaigan 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.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site