MIT
HARVARD KARATEDO HUB
22 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2024
JAPAN CITIES TOUR 2024
TOKYO KANAZAWA
Tokyo is a neon-powered playground where 37 million people (yep, that’s like *half* of Japan’s population!) cram into skyscrapers, sushi joints, and tiny izakaya bars. It’s been the capital since 1868, when Emperor Meiji ditched Kyoto for Tokyo’s samurai vibes. Today’s emperor, Naruhito, mostly does the royal wave from the Imperial Palace (a mega-park where samurai lords once partied). Now, let’s talk Budokan! Built for the 1964 Olympics, this iconic dome is *the* temple of martial arts—hosting epic judo, karate, and kendo battles. But guess what? It’s also a rockstar! The Beatles kicked off its music fame in ’66, and now everyone from sumo wrestlers to Metallica shreds there. Bonus Tokyo stats: its subway system is a *monster* (882 miles long longer than Earth to space if you stack the tracks!), the average age is 48 (thanks, low birthrate!), and there are more vending machines (5.5 million!) than people in some countries.
Kanazawa (pop: ~460,000) is where you go when you want Kyoto’s old-school vibes—minus the tourist stampede. This chill “Little Kyoto” escaped WWII bombings, so its samurai districts (hello, Nagamachi!) and geisha hangouts look frozen in time. Kenrokuen Garden? It’s ranked one of Japan’s top three basically the garden equivalent of Beyoncé. The city was once run by the ultrarich, art-obsessed Maeda lords, so it’s got serious cultural clout. Think samurai armor, tea ceremonies, and craft museums galore. And here’s the sparkle: Kanazawa makes 99% of Japan’s gold leaf. Yes, you can literally eat bling— gold-leaf ice cream is a thing here. Just outside town? Zen central. Eiheiji Temple in nearby Fukui has monks meditating 24/7, and rumor has it Steve Jobs dropped by for some minimalist inspo (Apple aesthetics, anyone?). Also in Fukui: the eerie Tojinbo Cliffs massive volcanic columns with ghost stories baked in. One legend says a corrupt monk got tossed off the edge, and now he haunts the place. Subway? Nonexistent. But you don’t need it—this place is made for walking through misty gardens and samurai alleys. Bonus: Kanazawa’s average age is lower than Tokyo or Kyoto, and the city is quietly rising as a creative hub for young artists and tech talent.
Kanazawa = samurai streets, edible gold, Zen monks, ghost cliffs, and underrated cool.
OSAKA KYOTO
Osaka is Japan’s food-obsessed, comedy-loving rebel city where 2.7 million locals (and over 19 million in the metro area!) live by the motto “kuidaore” (“eat ’til you drop”). Forget emperors this place was ruled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a warlord who built the flashy Osaka Castle in the 1500s (today, it’s a samuraithemed Instagram hotspot). No royal palace here, but Osaka’s got Universal Studios, a ferris wheel on a building, and streets packed with more takoyaki (octopus balls) stands than you can count. The subway? A 129-mile web of lines that’ll zip you from Dotonbori’s neon chaos to the Umeda Sky Building’s floating garden in minutes. While Tokyo’s all business, Osaka’s average age is slightly younger at 45 (still, Japan’s aging faster than a banana in the sun). Fun fact: It’s home to Japan’s oldest temple (Shitenno-ji, built in 593!) and the Tower of the Sun a trippy 1970 Expo relic that looks like a giant robot’s daydream. Oh, and 1 in 6 of Japan’s comedians hail from Osaka… so expect dad jokes with your okonomiyaki!
Kyoto is Japan’s ultimate time machine city where 1.4 million people (and 2.8 million in the metro area!) live among 2,000+ temples, shrines, and geisha darting through lantern-lit alleys. For 1,000+ years, this was Japan’s capital (until Tokyo stole the crown in 1868), and emperors like Emperor Meiji chilled at the Kyoto Imperial Palace (still standing, but now it’s a museum-like park). Today, Kyoto’s vibe? Think zen gardens meets Insta-bait: the gold-leaf Kinkaku-ji temple, the Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 torii gates, and the Arashiyama bamboo forest that’ll make you feel like you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie. The subway’s tiny (30 miles total just enough to zip you from matcha ice cream stalls to samurai sword workshops), and the average age is 48 (same as Tokyo, but everyone here looks 10 years younger thanks to all that green tea). Fun fact: 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites cram into this city, 1 in 5 of Japan’s national treasures live here, and 10 million tourists flood in yearly to geishaspot in Gion or binge on kaiseki cuisine (fancy food art!). Bonus: Kyoto invented the tea ceremony, and its cherry blossoms in spring? Pure magic.
KOBE
Kobe (pop: 1.5 million) is Japan’s glam port city where mountain hikes meet fine dining, and recovery meets reinvention. Tucked between the sea and Mount Rokko, it’s where you can sip coffee in a Euro-style café, hike a forest trail, and bite into the world’s most luxurious steak all before sunset.
Let’s talk beef: Kobe beef is legendary. Think cows that get beer, massages, and playlists better than yours. A single steak can cost ¥10,000–¥50,000 ($70–$330+), but one bite and you’ll forget your bank account ever existed. Kobe’s got global swagger, thanks to centuries of international trade. The Kitano district is packed with 19th-century mansions built by foreign merchants, while the Nada district fuels Japan with some of its finest sake. For a little spiritual calm, drop by Ikuta Shrine founded in the 3rd century and still buzzing with festivals and weddings.
Need a wow moment? The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world long enough to stretch across your whole Instagram feed. Then there’s Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, where emperors and commoners alike have soaked for 1,300 years.
In 1995, Kobe was rocked by a massive earthquake, but the city rebuilt fast— and strong. Today, its skyline stands tall, and every December, the Luminarie light festival fills the streets with hope and glowing art installations.
Kobe’s subway system is small but mighty, and the vibe? Younger, trendier, and a little more relaxed than Tokyo’s hustle.
Kobe = high-end beef, mountain views, onsen bliss, global flavor, and the heart of a survivor.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 1
22
WELCOME TO TOKYO
Friday was our first day in Japan. Many of the students flew out from Logan Airport in Boston, and after a connecting flight in DC, flew 14 hours to get to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. After checking into our hotel in Akasaka, we got to reconnect with Komine san and Kawamo san, as well as the other instructors and students from Tokyo Institute of Technology (now renamed Institute of Science Tokyo as of October 1, 2024). We met at Grigio La Tavola in Akasaka and introduced our MHKH students who were coming to Japan for the first time. Everyone was excited for the week of Karate and sightseeing activities the JUKF had prepared for us in the cities of Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Osaka!
Reuniting with our friends from Japan at welcome party in “Grigio
La Tavola” in Akasaka
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER DAY
2
23 VISIT TO WASEDA UNIVERSITY SENSEI TABATA’S ALMA MATER
Saturday was our first full day in Japan. After a morning visit to Hie-jinja Shrine in Akasaka, we had lunch with Eriko and Kenta Uchida, our dear friends who had trained with us at MIT with their twin children, Uta and Arata, several years ago while Kenta studied at the MIT Sloan School of Management. We were overjoyed to reunite and see how much Uta and Arata had grown. Uta has now taken an interest in Arts & Crafts while Arata has started playing Rugby.
After lunch, we went to meet up with our friends from the JUKF for a tour of Waseda University (alma mater of our late Tabata Sensei). We were greeted by Karate friends from Waseda University, Nihon University, and Shibaura Institute of Technology. Imaizumi Sensei, the Karate instructor of Waseda University Karate Club, along with the Waseda University Karate students, provided a tour of Waseda University’s campus and shared some of the university’s history.
We then had the unique privilege of joining a Karate practice at Waseda University led by Imaizumi Sensei, focusing on proper Karate kihon through drills emphasizing stance stability and hip mechanics. We also practiced segments of Jion to further incorporate these kihon mechanics into our kata. Finally, some Japanese students performed remarkable demonstrations of kata from different Karate styles and jiyu kumite. At the end of the practice, Inoue Sensei, the President of the Waseda University Karate Club Alumni Society, shared with everyone the history of the Karate club. He also explained the dojo’s black belt wall, with placards recording all the black belt Karateka who graduated from Waseda University over time. It was a very moving moment for us to find Tabata Sensei’s placard and reflect on how far his legacy has spread.
After Karate, Waseda University hosted a welcome dinner reception for our MHKH delegation. Our Karate students from the US and around the world had the opportunity to connect with Japanese Karate students, strengthening bonds with those who had come to visit us in September and creating new friendships. We also had the pleasure to meet several Waseda University Karate alumni and JUKF members at this reception, including kumite champion Hisao Murase.
Campus Tour of Waseda University with Waseda University Karateka
Official MHKH Visit to Waseda University
Kazumi Tabata Sensei’s name on the Waseda University Black Belt Wall
Joint University Karate training at Waseda
Reuniting with Uchida family in Japan! Uta and Arata have grown a lot!
Welcome Reception Host Aiji Tanaka (President of Waseda University)
Photo with Hashimoto Sensei and Kumite Legend Murase Sensei
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 3
24
JAPAN KARATE FEDERATION (JKF) HEADQUARTERS
On our final day in Tokyo prior to traveling to Kanazawa, we met with Osada Sensei, Komine san, and Hashimoto Sensei to visit the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) headquarters. We saw the facility in which they organized the integration of Karate as an official sport in the Olympics in the summer of 2021, and where they run tournaments for both youth and adult competitors. Afterwards, we went sightseeing in Shinjuku, getting a chance to explore this famous neighborhood of Tokyo. At night, our MHKH team had dinner in Akasaka at Nikugen, enjoying delicious yaki niku as we talked over the wonderful activities we have already experienced so far.
Photo inside the JKF upper floor dojo
Team dinner to discuss Kanazawa and Osaka itinerary
MONDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 4
SHINKANSEN TO KANAZAWA
O Kanazawa. The bullet train is a feat of engineering, providing fast and c nd was a first experience for several of our MHKH students. Even those o cited to glimpse Fujiyama on the way! Arriving in Kanazawa, we were g Kanazawa and a dedicated Karateka, and enjoyed a delicious lunch of s A wa, from the famous Omicho fish market to Kanazawa Castle. Our s o visit Kenroku-en gardens, listed as one of the three most beautiful g elegant blend of ponds, pines, and fall foliage inspired all of us. On our w specialty pastry containing red bean paste and a whole chestnut. The a ed they also sell their desserts in various stores and train stations in K dinner experience at the Hotel Kanazawa after being reunited with N us from Osaka.
Visit through the beautiful gardens of Kenroku-en in Kanazawa
Komine san explaining the details of the dish being served
Enjoying fine dining in Hotel Kanazawa with our Osaka friends - Kobayashi Sensei, Yada san, and Osada Sensei
Photo album gift for Kobayashi Sensei
Photo album gift for Yada san
EARTHQUAKE AND KANAZAWA FAREWELL PARTY
On our second day in Kanazawa, we had the privilege of visiting the historic sites of Eiheiji Temple and Tojinbo cliffs. Nobukawa Sensei kindly rented a minibus to drive our MHKH delegation along with Osada Sensei, Komine san, and Kobayashi Sensei to these special locations, which was a first for all of our students. Eiheiji, meaning “temple of eternal peace,” is a famous Buddhist temple and one of the two main temples of the Sōto school of Zen Buddhism. Serenely nestled in the woods, the temple’s beauty and calm inspired us as we learned the various principles by which the resident monks live. Reflecting upon these Buddhist principles and how they can apply to our lives, we drove to Tojinbo Cliffs. The sheer cliffs and rocky landscape facing the sea were remarkable.
After returning to Kanazawa, we enjoyed a Goju Ryu Karate practice led by Ota Sensei of the Kanazawa area. Students from Kanazawa Institute of Technology and other universities in Fukui Prefecture joined the practice. That same evening, the JUKF organized a dinner party for our team to get the opportunity to connect with students and leaders from Kanazawa area, including students who had traveled from Fukui Prefecture to be with us. Ricky Sensei, an Australian native who now resides in Japan, told us about his Karate life journey and his desire to have more opportunities to connect in the future. The dinner party concluded with a special cultural performance by Kojima san, and a gift exchange between the MHKH and JUKF delegations.
That night, we also experienced our first major Japanese earthquake — a 6.4 on the Richter Scale, striking at 10:47 PM.
Discussions about life, Karate, and fashion with Nobukawa Sensei over coffee
Peaceful Eiheiji Temple in Japan—this Zen monastery once inspired Steve Jobs, who admired its simplicity and even considered becoming a monk. Its quiet spirit echoes in Apple’s minimalist design. Eiheiji was founded in 1244 by Dōgen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen in Japan. It remains an active monastery where monks live and train in deep spiritual practice.
Ota Sensei from Kanazawa taught a Goju Ryu lesson to MHKH students along with students from Fukui prefecture for a joint Karate exchange
Kanazawa farewell party for MHKH where we got to meet the various Karate students and instructors of this region
An MHKH gift for Kojima san (manager of Hotel Kanazawa)
Meeting Ricky Sensei (Karate instructor in Fukui prefecture)
Wonderful experience in Hotel Kanazawa, a perfect blend of elegance and warmth. Kanazawa Hotel delights with exceptional gastronomy
Nobukawa Sensei made a speech to officially introduce MHKH to Kanazawa area Karateka. We received a special gift of rice farmed in Kanazawa as a parting gift!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 6 27
WELCOME TO OSAKA
On Wednesday, we took the Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Osaka in the morning. Upon arriving in Osaka, we went to the Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT) campus where Murouka Sensei, Chemistry Professor at OIT and organizer of the OIT international relations department, welcomed us and presented the various international affiliations that OIT develops. He explained about the English language and Japanese language exchange program OIT hosts with universities in Indonesia as one example, and he wished our MHKH students a productive visit in Osaka as we continue on our Karate mission to connect university students practicing Karate around the world.
Afterward, Cassiano and Vazrik Sensei spent time catching up with Kobayashi Sensei while the students visited downtown Osaka with OIT Karate students, enjoying games, gacha machines, and takoyaki. At night, we all enjoyed a wonderful welcome dinner at an Okonomiyaki restaurant, where we reunited with the OIT Karate team and with remarkable artist Akita san. Last year, he had gifted beautifully designed necklaces of a Karate fist to the MHKH team. This year, he was inspired to design a necklace featuring hands placed together in a sign of gratitude (Gasho). This dinner was a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and build closer connections: our students had the chance to rekindle friendships with OIT students. We also had the pleasure of reuniting with Seki Sensei and Teramoto san, and meeting Kobayashi Sensei’s and Seki Sensei’s children, many of whom have taken an interest in studying English and practicing Karate.
Yakisoba dinner at night with our Osaka Karate friends” We got to meet Kobayashi
Sensei’s sons!”
Murouka Sensei (Chemistry Professor of OIT) welcoming us to Osaka Institute of Technology
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 7
28
VISIT TO GAKUGEI HIGH SCHOOL MEET OLYMPIC CHAMPION RYUTARO ARAGA
Our second day in Osaka was an exciting whirlwind of activities. First, we visited Gakugei High School. While being a Japanese high school (and in fact is Ruiki san, Kobayashi Sensei’s son,’s old high school), it is also an international British Columbia school where students can enroll in a special dual program. There, students can get both Japanese and Canadian high school accreditation simultaneously by following courses from both programs. The principal, staff, and organizers of this international department at the school had prepared a special lecture opportunity, and our very own Carol Cuesta delivered an exciting lecture on astrophysics to the high school students. She began with a general description of the developments in astrophysics in the past several decades, then explained major recent achievements and the biggest challenges that this new generation of students will have to overcome to keep expanding our understanding of the universe.
After the lecture, we joined the Karate practice of the Gakugei High School’s Karate club. The school’s Karate club typically wins or places in the top two in the Japanese high school Karate competitions, and when we saw their training, we understood why: the students’ level of kumite and kata training was impressive. We were privileged to watch the students feature some unique kumite training for developing distancing (maai) and reaction timing, as well as special individual and team kata demonstrations that included bunkai!
At night, the JUKF had organized a Kansai region dinner reception at a local Chinese restaurant. Many MHKH students, for whom this was the first time in Japan, remarked how impressed they were by all of the Karate instructors and leaders present that night (over 50 people), all dressed in formal wear and united in their vision of using Karate to develop the character of the next generation of youth and create better citizens in the world. The senior members of the JUKF each made a short speech to welcome everyone and introduce their region There were legendary Karateka in attendance, champions from the older era as well as the new era. We Araga san, a Karate Olympic medalist from the summer 2021 Tokyo Olympics! This ion t d K t t i it t d ts d th ld d t h l k th
Carol gave a lecture on astrophysics, AI, and future technology
Gakugei High School students excited for MHKH visit and presentation
We gifted our MHKH mascot to the Gakugei High School ladies Team kata
Kumite training with Gakugei High School Karateka
We met
Olympic Karate Kumite Legend Ryutaro Araga at JUKF reception in Osaka!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 8
WELCOME TO KYOTO AND KOBE NEW JUKF BLACK BELTS 2024
On our final day in Osaka, our MHKH group split into two different teams for sightseeing. Those visiting Japan for the first time went to Kyoto to see the city and its famous temples, while the others went to Kobe and Awaji Island. We were all excited to see hawks fly overhead on Awaji Island and perform some aerial maneuvers. Takahashi Sensei (one of the instructors of the OIT Karate Club) drove us to Kobe and Awaji Island, and brought his son Haruto to spend time with us. Haruto is in Elementary School and he had the day off of school as it was a holiday, and he wanted to come and practice his English with us.
After returning to Osaka, we joined the OIT Karate Club for a practice in their dojo. The students led a warm-up and focused on speed footwork drills for kumite. Then, Takahashi Sensei led a set of drills focused on kihon and pad work. We got to practice kizami zuki, gyaku zuki, and mawashi geri against pads to practice our distancing and impact training. At night, we went to a local izakaya to enjoy one final dinner with our Osaka area friends before departing for Tokyo.
Sightseeing in Kobe with Osada Sensei, Takahashi Sensei and his son Haruto
We received the new JUKF Black Belts 2024 certificates for Carol, Emile, Munawwar,
Renata, Bruce, Sasiru, Julia
Vazrik giving a gift to Haruto and encouraging his continued study of Karatedo
Sightseeing in Kyoto!
Osaka farewell dinner party with our OIT Karate friends
more than
karate
During one of our off days more than just a dedicated karateka, Cassiano is actively involved in a wide range of activities. He currently serves as Vice President of the MIT Triathlon Club. While he was in Japan, the club’s board asked if he could connect with the legendary founder of CEEPO, Nobuyuki “Joe” Tanaka. Founded in Aichi, Japan in 2003, CEEPO is a niche brand renowned for its aerodynamic innovations in triathlon bikes a sport where every second counts and aerodynamics are everything. Despite a packed schedule, Mr. Tanaka generously made time to meet with Cassiano. They visited a local bike shop together, enjoyed lunch, and even test rode one of CEEPO’s road bikes. Cassiano was especially curious about the famous CEEPO SHADOW-R, which was named Europe’s Triathlon Bike of the Year in 2018 and is considered one of the fastest triathlon bikes ever built. Mr. Tanaka shared insights into the bike’s design process and the extensive wind tunnel testing behind it. The meeting turned into an inspiring exchange of ideas and a memorable experience for both.
The famous CEEPO SHADOW-R, which was named Europe’s Triathlon Bike of the Year in 2018 and is considered one of the fastest triathlon bikes ever built.
Even in his early 80s, he still competed in Ironmans, swimming 3.8 k, cycling 180 k and finishing with a 42 k full marathon.
Hiro and Mr Ceepo
Talking at Osaka Institute of Technology Campus
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER DAY 9
SHINKANSEN BACK TO TOKYO NIHON UNIVERSITY
Visit to Hashimoto Sensei’s dojo in Tokyo
Joint training with Hashimoto Sensei’s students
Hashimoto Sensei providing makiwara training tips
MHKH students visiting Shureido Karate uniform store
MHKH sushi dinner in Akasaka after a long day of Karate and sightseeing!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER DAY
10 1
KEIO VS WASEDA UNIVERSITY KARATE TOURNAMENT
negotiate a nice opportunity for us to get a Taiwanese-style (and our five Karate trainings!). Afterwards, we did some ked. At night, we had a farewell dinner with Komine san, asaka. We discussed the joys of the past week, potential n and plan when we got back to Boston.
Reuniting with Vazrik’s friends Sakamoto
and Taoka
(we first met 10 years ago!)
Farewell dinner in Tokyo with Komine san and Kawamo san
Reiji san came to Tokyo all the way from Fukuoka and promised to be a Karate ambassador for JUKF visit to Boston
san
Sensei
MONDAY DECEMBER DAY 11
FINAL DAY IN TOKYO
11
DAYS, 5 CITIES
7 NEW BLACK BELTS NEW FRIENDS AND NEW MEMORIES
Monday was our final day in Japan. We checked out of our hotels and made our way to Haneda Airport. Reiji san came to bid us farewell with some Castella cakes as a parting gift, and with the promise to consider seeing us once again in Boston in 2025. We are so incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful experien UKF friends, and look forward to continued activities in 2025 together!
JAPAN DELEGATION 2024
JOINING US INTERNATIONALLY
SEE YOU SOON!
