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JUKF USA TOUR 2026

SEPTEMBER 10-16 2026

LOCATIONS

Follow our Tour Schedule 2026

DAY 1

THURSDAY, SEPT.

WELCOME TO BOSTON

On Thursday, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Japan University Karatedo Federation (JUKF) delegation to Boston. There were a total of 13 members visiting Boston this year, including board members of the JUKF, high level Karate instructors and legends, as well as young students coming to the US for the first time. The MHKH team came with 7 cars to drive the JUKF delegation members as well as their luggage from the airport to their hotel La Quinta in Somerville. It was a pleasure to see our JUKF friends and to meet some new members that came from all over Japan to be part of this unique trip to Boston.

WELCOME RECEPTION After checking in everyone at the hotel, we walked with our guests to Lucky Strike for a welcome dinner and party. We got to enjoy food, drinks, and conversation together as the MHKH and JUKF members got to meet and get to know each other better. Vazrik Sensei gave a speech in Japanese to provide an official “Welcome to Boston”, and to hint at the various Karate trainings, dinner parties, tours, and social activities that the week has in store. At Lucky Strike, the students got to enjoy some arcade games and put aside their jet lag and exhaustion as they played games that were popular in their childhood. After some fun, we provided the JUKF members with a welcome kit, and returned to the hotel so that everyone could get some rest before the full day of activities tomorrow.

Scan to watch Vazrik’s welcome speech in japanese

Vazrik Sensei giving a welcome to Boston speech in Japanese for the JUKF delegation

DAY 2 FRIDAY, SEPT.

VISIT TO CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN BOSTON

Friday was our first full day of activities with our JUKF visiting guests. It was a full day of tours and activities as well as our first Karate training together at Harvard University. In the morning, we had an appointment at the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston. Mr. Seiichiro Takahashi had kindly agreed to host a meeting with the MHKH and JUKF delegation and speak about the various activities that his office conducts. Mr. Takahashi met the JUKF members one by one, and noted that he would be happy to help in organizing a Karate event in Boston with our help, but in addition in collaborating with several of our Boston area university members as the consulate works with various technology sectors in Boston and Japan.

Consul General Takahashi welcomed the JUKF and MHKH delegation at the Consulate General of Japan in Boston.

VISIT TO

BOSTON OFFICES

Afterwards, we went to Google to have a tour by Andre and Zach. They had kindly organized guest passes for the JUKF delegation to be able to get a tour of the Google facilities, see where the employees work and take breaks, and to enjoy a lunch at the Google cafeteria. Everyone was interested to see that Google employees have opportunities to take classes in subjects such as cooking, meditation, various forms of exercise, as breaks from the typical technical work.

HISTORICAL TOUR AT MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE

In the afternoon, we went the MA State House and had a tour organized for the JUKF to learn about American history and the history of Massachusetts. It was a very informative lecture, and we were able to see the various rooms and learn about the rich history.

KARATE PRACTICE AT HARVARD

After all of the educational activities of the morning and afternoon, we had our first Karate training hosted at Harvard University. With a brief welcome speech by the Harvard Karate Club president, we had the opportunity to learn from a Karate legend, Hisao Murase Sensei. He taught a special lesson focused on using the centerline of the body whether moving in ido kihon or kumite. In addition, he showed drills utilizing tate zuki (vertical punch) as a technique that is easier for beginners to focus their power and keep their elbows tucked and lats engaged.

Harvard Karate Club students with JUKF

Harvard Karate Club President Myriam gives a welcome speech for JUKF to Harvard University

Watanabe Sensei translates Murase Sensei’s kumite tips for the students to understand

Lesley University with JUKF

Wellesley College with JUKF

UMass Amherst with JUKF

Boston University with JUKF

CELEBRATION DINNER AT At night, we went to have dinner at Mestizo in Kendall Square. It was a fun opportunity to relax after Karate and get to learn more about each other’s passions outside of Karate. We got to also talk about future MHKH and JUKF international activities to organize together.

DAY 3

SATURDAY, SEPT.

VISITING THE

On Saturday, we had another fun day of unique activities planned for our JUKF guests. In the morning, we went to the Museum of Science, and toured our Japanese guests around the various exhibits. We helped translate some of the different explanations for them to learn about the history of NASA, the dinosaur exhibit, and even to see a demo of the robotic dog and human.

Murase Sensei and Hashimoto Sensei practicing to be astronauts

BOSTON MARKET &

EXPERIENCE

After, we went to a unique experience that was a first time for everyone joining: the Codzilla Experience. It was a unique high speed, high acceleration boat ride which was quite the thriller out in the Boston Harbor. Everyone had a lot of fun getting soaked by the harbor water from the various boat turns, stops, and accelerations. After we returned to land, we enjoyed lunch in the BOSTON PUBLIC MARKET. Then, we drove with several cars to Wellesley College for our second Karate practice of the trip.

KARATE TRAINING AT WELLESLEY COLLEGE

At Wellesley, the Karate club executive board met the visiting JUKF instructors, and we had another opportunity to train under Murase Sensei. The theme of this 2nd class was on flow of movement, and how to translate the weight of one’s natural movement into their punch. We practiced various footwork drills to train the natural stepping flow of movement and drills to train focusing the punch power with tate zuki onto a small target area.

DAY 4 SUNDAY, SEPT.

JUKF BLACK BELT TEST AT

Sunday was a very important day in the visit for many of our MHKH members. This morning, we had official JUKF Dan exams administered by the JUKF board members of Osada Sensei, Murase Sensei, Hashimoto Sensei, Watanabe Sensei, and Kobayashi Sensei. We had 3 students testing for Shodan, and 6 students testing for Nidan. Each student had to demonstrate a mastery of kihon, a particular Sentei kata (we had Jion, Enpi, and Kanku Dai performances), as well as free sparring. We were proud of our students for their hard work and the Karate spirit they showed in all portions of the exam. After the exam, the JUKF instructors provided feedback and details on elements they saw throughout the exam as next points to focus on for our students’ Karate development.

Congratulations to 3 new Nidans and 6 new Shodans: Varak, Peiqi, Ewa, Ricardo, Emile, Steven, IB, Munawwar, Angel

Vazrik Sensei introducing each student’s background to the JUKF examining board

Vazrik Sensei leading warm-up before the Dan exam

Watanabe Sensei explaining a detail about teisho for Jion

Osada Sensei and Murase Sensei discussing details before the exam

Murase Sensei offering written feedback from the exam to the students

Kobayashi Sensei watching the students’ kata and offering feedback

Osada Sensei providing details for free sparring

CELEBRATION LUNCH AT

While the exam was ongoing, JUKF visitors not participating in judging the black belt exam got to enjoy sightseeing and souvenir shopping in Harvard Square. Afterwards, everyone met to have lunch at Fogo de Chao in downtown Boston. This Brazilian restaurant is a favorite for some of our JUKF friends who enjoyed it in previous trips, and they were happy to share this experience with everyone once again.

SHOPPING & DINNER In the afternoon, it was free time for folks to rest or to do some walking around in Boston. Some of the JUKF students had the opportunity to walk along Newbury Street and see the various shops in the Prudential Center. At night, we had a dinner party to celebrate the halfway point of the JUKF Boston visit at the Mad Monkfish in Central Square. It was an opportunity for several of our Boston area university Karate students to join after their university classes and meet the JUKF students and instructors for the first time.

DAY 5 MONDAY, SEPT.

TOUR AT THE

On Monday, we had another day of tours and educational opportunities. In the morning, we went on a tour at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Watanabe San translated the English explanations of the tour in Japanese, so that our guests could learn about the various research on disease being conducted at the Institute. They learned about the human genome project and how we utilize genetics to understand the causes and tendencies for certain diseases. They also learned about cancer, heart disease, and psychological diseases, and how years of research can develop into drugs and treatment that help people live healthier lives.

OFFICIAL VISIT TO MIT MUSEUM

After the tour at the Broad, we went to the MIT Museum right in Kendall Square, and had the students tour the galleries inside. A few particular exhibits that the JUKF guests found fascinating was the spacecraft inspired by origami that would memorize a shape and open up once deployed, and the artwork showing the coral reef and the impact of plastic pollution on the health and vitality of the coral reefs around the world.

MIT JAPAN LECTURE

After some time to relax and do some souvenir shopping at the MIT Coop, we went to have a lecture by Christine Sensei of the MIT Japan program. Christine Sensei provided an explanation of the history of the program and what it offers to MIT students in terms of opportunities to travel to Japan for study and work, and gave some of the history of MIT with Japan over the past several decades.

PRESENTATION BY CAIO BARBOSA AT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT Next on the educational program was a tour at MIT Sloan School of Management. Caio gave an overview of the Sloan School, and about how MIT fosters innovation. He taught the JUKF delegation about how start up companies are formed and incubated at MIT, and how many famous companies had spun out of the Sloan School itself.

MIT INDUSTRY LIASON PROGRAM PRESENTATION

Lastly, Watanabe san had organized a tour of the MIT Industry Liaison Program (MIT ILP). With a gorgeous view of Boston and the Charles River from the window, we had the opportunity to hear from Tamura san (a friend of Watanabe san) about MIT ILP and how it helps to foster connections between MIT and industry, and helps start up companies find success in various sectors of the market.

CELEBRATION DINNER AT ITTOKU After a day of educational tours and lectures, we had a special dinner party prepared for our JUKF guests at a Japanese Izakaya - Ittoku. Ittoku is one of our favorite restaurants in the Boston area, and it was a joy for us to have our Japanese guests feel at home away from Japan here in Boston at this Izakaya. The JUKF and MHKH members exchanged life stories over food and drink, and enjoyed laughter and each other’s company.

DAY 6 TUESDAY, SEPT.

TRAVEL TO PLYMOUTH / MAYFLOWER II

Tuesday was our last full day of activities with the JUKF visiting delegation. In the morning, we drove to Plymouth, where we organized a tour of the Mayflower II and of Plymouth Rock. The goal was to give our Japanese friends an opportunity to visit this historic landmark and to learn about a portion of American history. After the tour, we had clam chowder for lunch while looking at the view of the ocean.

SHOPPING AT HARVARD SQUARE AND TRAINING AT In the afternoon, we drove back to Harvard Square to have some time to do souvenir shopping at the Harvard Coop before the last Karate training of the trip. This time, we had Karate at MIT, where Murase Sensei taught and built on the drills and lessons he explained from the previous training of the trip. He explained the importance of how to counter, and how only offense dictates the distance (maai) in a match. Therefore, even when you wish to counter on defense, you must move forward before countering in order to dictate the distance with an opponent. After training, Vazrik also provided a nice tour of MIT for our guests, who got to visit some of the classrooms and libraries of the university.

Osada Sensei and Murase Sensei enjoying the view of Killian Court

Final Karate training with Murase Sensei at MIT

JUKF enjoying a tour of MIT campus and classrooms

FAREWELL DINNER AT

JAZZ RESTAURANT

After the training, we had our farewell dinner party at the Mad Monkfish in Central Square. We had the pleasure of having the Jazz Room reserved just for our event, and had one more opportunity to share food, drinks, laughter, and reflections about the event packed week. In addition, the JUKF provided the results of the JUKF Dan exam, which the MHKH members had been anticipating since Sunday. We are very proud to say that everyone successfully passed! Congrats to the 3 new JUKF Shodan ranks for Varak, Peiqi, and Ewa. Congrats to the 6 new JUKF Nidan ranks for Steven, Emile, Ricardo, IB, Angel, and Munawwar. Osada Sensei and Watanabe Sensei announced the results, and the students received their congratulations as well as encouragement for continued development of their Karatedo understanding from Murase Sensei, Hashimoto Sensei, Kobayashi Sensei, and the visiting JUKF delegation members.

DAY 7

WEDNESDAY, SEPT.

LEAVING BOSTON WITH MEMORIES

Wednesday was our last day with our JUKF friends. In the morning, we drove our guests to the Logan Airport, helped them check in, and spent some final moments with them in the airport reminiscing about the trip as well as talking about plans for our Japan trip in November. We said our final goodbyes to the JUKF members leaving on flight JL 7 back to Japan, and then we drove Watanabe san to South Station as he had a few more days of business and meetings while in the US to tend to. We are very happy that the trip was fun, educational, and impactful, and look forward to our next adventure, this time in Japan in November with our JUKF friends. As always, the best is yet to come!

BOARDING PASS

POSITION AT JUKF:

JAPAN UNIVERSITY KARATEDO FEDERATION PRESIDENT

PASSENGER NAME:

YOSHIKIYO YOSHIKIYO IYO HASHIMOTO POSITION AT JUKF:

JAPAN UNIVERSITY KARATEDO FEDERATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOARDING PASS

PASSENGER NAME:

YOSHIYUKI OSADA OSADA OSAD

BOARDING PASS

JUKF DELEGATION USA TOUR 2026 PASSENGER NAME:

MASAOO WATANABE MASAO POSITION AT JUKF:

JAPAN UNIVERSITY KARATEDO FEDERATION CHAIRPERSON

PASSENGER NAME:

HISAO HISAO ISAO MURASE POSITION AT JUKF: JAPAN UNIVERSITY KARATEDO FEDERATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PASSENGER NAME:

HIDEKI KOBAYASHI KKOBAYASHI POSITION AT JUKF: DIRECTOR OF KARATE CLUB OSAKA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

PASSENGER NAME:

NORIEI HASEGAWA HASEGAWA HA POSITION AT JUKF: ALL JAPAN TECHNICAL STUDENT KARATEDO FEDERATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PASSENGER NAME:

YUTA UCHIDA UCHIDA POSITION AT JUKF: JAPAN UNIVERSITY KARATEDO FEDERATION COMMITTEE MEMBER

PASSENGER NAME:

YOSHINO KURODA KURODA KUROD POSITION AT JUKF:

KINKI UNIVERSITY FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT

BOARDING PASS

COACH OF KARATE CLUB TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

BOARDING PASS

POSITION AT JUKF:

BOARDING PASS

PASSENGER NAME:

HIROYUKI SATO

BOARDING PASS

JUKF DELEGATION USA TOUR 2026 PASSENGER NAME:

MASAYUKI OKANIWA OKANIWA OK POSITION AT JUKF:

COACH OF KARATE CLUB TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

PASSENGER NAME:

MASAMI NAKAGAWA NAKAGAWA NAKAGAW POSITION AT JUKF:

COACH OF KARATE CLUB NIHON UNIVERSITY

PASSENGER NAME:

NAOKII ISHIBASHI NAOKI POSITION AT JUKF:

TOHOKU UNIVERSITY SECOND-YEAR STUDENT

PASSENGER NAME:

MIKI AIBARA AIBARA AIBAR POSITION AT JUKF:

SIT UNIVERSITY FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT

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CONNECT WITH US Vazrik Chiloyan vazrik@mit.edu

Anselmo Cassiano Alves anselmoc@mit.edu

Amandine Fromont afromont@wellesley.edu

Iyit Benusia ibenusia@lesley.edu

SEE YOU IN JAPAN SOON!