East Bay Judo Institute
East Bay Judo Institute, 11165 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
About
East Bay Judo Institute offers Kid's Class, Adult Class, and Advanced Class focused on the teaching of Kodokan Judo. Classes provide technical training in Judo, and training is conducted in a classical Japanese manner. Students learn important rules of etiquette and behavior in addition to Judo techniques.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
The East Bay Judo Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the teaching of Kodokan Judo. Its mission states that classes emphasize personal development via technical training, over and above results in competition, with goals that include developing minds and characters, as well as bodies, through training in Judo. The development of perseverance, modesty, and respect for others are described as the aims of Kodokan Judo and of the East Bay Judo Institute, summarized in the phrase “EBJI - Building good people through Judo.”
The instructional staff includes many current and former national champions, and members have participated in events all over the world including the World Championships and Olympic Games. The leadership team includes Founder and Program Director David Matsumoto, who served as Head Instructor for 31 years, and current Head Instructor Dan Israel. The program was originally founded as the Berkeley Judo Club in the early 1960s and adopted the name “East Bay Judo Institute” after moving to its present city in January 1991.
The East Bay Judo Institute has been voted Best Martial Arts Studio in El Cerrito. According to its stated community involvement, the dojo is very committed to family and to the judo community, prioritizes giving back, and includes judo families and kids who have formed a positive support system to help each person grow and overcome challenges on and off the mat.
Parent testimonials describe the East Bay Judo Institute as a place of growth for families, with students including both adults and children, and note support from the community during serious illness. Other parents report that the dojo runs a fun but structured environment, is committed to family and the judo community, and has been an integral part of their own and their children’s lives.
Last updated July 3, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
The East Bay Judo Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the teaching of Kodokan Judo. Its mission states that classes emphasize personal development via technical training, over and above results in competition, with goals that include developing minds and characters, as well as bodies, through training in Judo. The development of perseverance, modesty, and respect for others are described as the aims of Kodokan Judo and of the East Bay Judo Institute, summarized in the phrase “EBJI - Building good people through Judo.”
The instructional staff includes many current and former national champions, and members have participated in events all over the world including the World Championships and Olympic Games. The leadership team includes Founder and Program Director David Matsumoto, who served as Head Instructor for 31 years, and current Head Instructor Dan Israel. The program was originally founded as the Berkeley Judo Club in the early 1960s and adopted the name “East Bay Judo Institute” after moving to its present city in January 1991.
The East Bay Judo Institute has been voted Best Martial Arts Studio in El Cerrito. According to its stated community involvement, the dojo is very committed to family and to the judo community, prioritizes giving back, and includes judo families and kids who have formed a positive support system to help each person grow and overcome challenges on and off the mat.
Parent testimonials describe the East Bay Judo Institute as a place of growth for families, with students including both adults and children, and note support from the community during serious illness. Other parents report that the dojo runs a fun but structured environment, is committed to family and the judo community, and has been an integral part of their own and their children’s lives.
Last updated July 3, 2026.
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