Nakano Judo Academy
Nakano Judo Academy, 2072 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
About
Nakano Judo Academy offers daily programs, private lessons, and a Kids & Junior Judo Program. The program also includes camps and clinics, such as a summer camp, clinics that offer focused training and technical instruction to prepare students for competition, a Hawaii judo camp, and a Japan Study Camp & Tour that includes a Japan Judo tour.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are scheduled daily.
The academy describes itself as the Home of Japanese Judo in the Bay Area where mind and body are refined, and it offers a program for every path from beginner to black belt. Nakano Academy students are encouraged to participate in as many classes as they like, and no experience is required, with an introductory curriculum specifically for absolute beginners. The academy welcomes all ages, including kids and adults, and offers an Elite Judo Program that is by invitation only. The Japan Study Camp & Tour was founded to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan, the birthplace of judo, and participants in the Hawaii judo camp learn about judo history in Hawaii on a fully guided tour and establish a judo athletic exchange program. The program offers a free first class for new students.
Founder and Director of Japanese Judo, Shintaro Nakano, is a Kodokan 6th Dan Black Belt born in Miyazaki, Japan, an eight-time member of the Japanese National Judo Team, and a former judo coach at San Jose State University, one of North America’s premier collegiate judo programs. He holds a Kodokan/United States Judo Federation 6th Dan Black Belt. Youth High Performance Guest Coach Megumi Ishikawa is a former Japanese Judo National Team member. The academy’s mission statement says that its traditional Japanese curriculum is a blend of physical fitness, mental discipline, and community spirit, and that it is intended to be a foundation for confidence and health. Yoshihiro Uchida, America’s first Olympic Judo Coach, has stated that Shintaro Nakano brings the Japanese version of judo to San Jose State University Judo, emphasizing speed in executing moves and demonstrating what he calls true judo.
Last updated June 5, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are scheduled daily.
The academy describes itself as the Home of Japanese Judo in the Bay Area where mind and body are refined, and it offers a program for every path from beginner to black belt. Nakano Academy students are encouraged to participate in as many classes as they like, and no experience is required, with an introductory curriculum specifically for absolute beginners. The academy welcomes all ages, including kids and adults, and offers an Elite Judo Program that is by invitation only. The Japan Study Camp & Tour was founded to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan, the birthplace of judo, and participants in the Hawaii judo camp learn about judo history in Hawaii on a fully guided tour and establish a judo athletic exchange program. The program offers a free first class for new students.
Founder and Director of Japanese Judo, Shintaro Nakano, is a Kodokan 6th Dan Black Belt born in Miyazaki, Japan, an eight-time member of the Japanese National Judo Team, and a former judo coach at San Jose State University, one of North America’s premier collegiate judo programs. He holds a Kodokan/United States Judo Federation 6th Dan Black Belt. Youth High Performance Guest Coach Megumi Ishikawa is a former Japanese Judo National Team member. The academy’s mission statement says that its traditional Japanese curriculum is a blend of physical fitness, mental discipline, and community spirit, and that it is intended to be a foundation for confidence and health. Yoshihiro Uchida, America’s first Olympic Judo Coach, has stated that Shintaro Nakano brings the Japanese version of judo to San Jose State University Judo, emphasizing speed in executing moves and demonstrating what he calls true judo.
Last updated June 5, 2026.
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