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Shotokan Karate of America - Portland, Oregon dojo
4.5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Portland, Oregon
Part of Shotokan Karate (JKA)
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
- Membership memberships around $15/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-student rates
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule portland.ska.org — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (971) 998-4981
Hours
| Monday | 7–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 6:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:30–11 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
Other martial arts here
What students say
“Excellent instructors and strong fellow practitioners.”
“When I go to Portland to visit family I am fortunate enough to train with this great group!”
“Authentic, skilled karate instruction with a focus on traditional karate values rather than a commercial business model.”
“Authentic, skilled karate instruction with a focus on traditional karate values rather than a commercial business model.”
From the reviews
I have practiced Shotokan karate regularly at this dojo since 2018. The senior instructors are committed to helping students develop and deepen a traditional karate-do practice. Great instruction and community!
I am a member of Shotokan Karate of America. When I go to Portland to visit family I am fortunate enough to train with this great group! Excellent instructors and strong fellow practitioners. Thank you!
Authentic, skilled karate instruction with a focus on traditional karate values rather than a commercial business model. Great dojo for beginners and women as well! Thank you.
So far I am very impressed. Everyone is welcoming. Training is much more rigorous than it looked to this outsider. The focus is on improving yourself and not profits.
New to Karate? Start at Shotokan Karate of America - Portland, Oregon dojo
Shotokan Karate of America - Portland, Oregon dojo 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 Shotokan Karate of America - Portland, Oregon dojo
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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