So I'm going to be in Tokyo next week, and was thinking about dropping by the Kodokan. This may sound somewhat silly, but I'm from a pretty informal school and was wondering if anyone who has visited or spent some time there has any tips on etiquette. Someone who went told me that it might be better just to wear a white belt, instead of my Sankyu, to minimize the amount of purposeful asskicking. Generally, just looking for some help not embarassing myself.

perhaps you should call them, and ask your questions.

Japanese people are like bears: they're more afraid you than you are of them. So all you have to do is stand real tall and stare each one of them down, especially the leader which they call a sensei. Once you break him, the rest will fall.

Start by making grand claims of your own skill and belittling his, make sure to remind him who nuked who, and who won the war. If feels insulted, rush at him with a bear hug.

When you're done kicking his ass, collect all the shoes at the entrence of the dojo, as they now belong to you.

Japanese people are like bears: they're more afraid you than you are of them. So all you have to do is stand real tall and stare each one of them down, especially the leader which they call a sensei. Once you break him, the rest will fall.

Start by making grand claims of your own skill and belittling his, make sure to remind him who nuked who, and who won the war. If feels insulted, rush at him with a bear hug.

When you're done kicking his ass, collect all the shoes at the entrence of the dojo, as they now belong to you.

Dear me, have we forgotten what forum this is?

I'm going by what forum this should be in, which is YMAS. DHS is for specific grappling related questions. His questions was about etiquette.

I'm going by what forum this should be in, which is YMAS. DHS is for specific grappling related questions. His questions was about etiquette.

Damnit, i had a snazzy, pseudo funny reply

but refrained from using it due to fear of t3h b4nh4mm3r.

raz > me?

raz > me?

Most definatley, but I still love ya moosey!

If training at the Kodokan is anything like training at Yongin in Korea, don't expect much in the way of formality. Seriously Judo at the top place in Korea was the most laid back place I've ever seen. Most of the formality stuff was reserved for the kids, if you were an adult and foreign the guys would usually shake your hand before randori, bowing was not real common. I would imagine the Kodokan is probably pretty similar.

Japanese people are like bears: they're more afraid you than you are of them. So all you have to do is stand real tall and stare each one of them down, especially the leader which they call a sensei. Once you break him, the rest will fall.

Start by making grand claims of your own skill and belittling his, make sure to remind him who nuked who, and who won the war. If feels insulted, rush at him with a bear hug.

When you're done kicking his ass, collect all the shoes at the entrence of the dojo, as they now belong to you.

Funniest thing I've read all day. I can just imagine...

From the Horses Mouth.

Kodokan Website:
http://www.kodokan.org/
General Guidance:
http://www.kodokan.org/e_basic/ippan.html (http://www.kodokan.org/e_basic/ippan.html#intl)
Contact the Kodokan:
http://www.kodokan.org/e_basic/contacts.html

Also the Kodokan only accepts White Judogi's. You will not be allowed to train without one. I would send and Email to find out the rest of the requirements.

Enjoy your visit.

Train Hard, Stay Safe,
Good Luck

You'd be ok wearing a brown belt at sankyu as the Kodokan only uses white, brown, and black belts. I've been told they're actually pretty formal there during open mat time. A kneeling bow before randori is also pretty common from what I've been told by recent visitors.

If you're not used to etiquette at all it should be usual stuff - bow when entering the dojo, bow to the tatami, bow to Kano, bow to your partner before randori, and bow when done. No profanity on the mat and generally behave as you would in a western church as as the dojo is a place of spiritual guidance in Japanese culture. If you're on the mat be doing something and keep the talking to a minimum on the mat as well.

Japanese people are like bears: they're more afraid you than you are of them. So all you have to do is stand real tall and stare each one of them down, especially the leader which they call a sensei. Once you break him, the rest will fall.

Start by making grand claims of your own skill and belittling his, make sure to remind him who nuked who, and who won the war. If feels insulted, rush at him with a bear hug.

When you're done kicking his ass, collect all the shoes at the entrence of the dojo, as they now belong to you.

You basically covered it, but you forgot to mention that in Japan they don't have stripes on their belts; they figure out your rank by counting the number of sneakers dangling from your obi by their laces.

The Kodokon sees itself as the last bastion of true Judo. It will be more formal than probably anywhere else. Universities like it was previously mentioned, are much less formal.

Just do what everyone else does, and the rest will be (mostly) forgiven. They see it as "aww how cute, he's not Japanese, how would he know d^^b?"

If I can give some advice to make your training go very well rather then just average.

Take Ukemi, If your opponent attempts a throw take the fall rather then fight it or defend it.

Don't fight stiff, If you are fighting stiff you will find yourself only fighting other foreigners.

Learn some Japanese, Please may we practice?, Thank You, Can you teach me that? The Japanese love when foreigners try to use there language. Yes even if you are the worst Japanese speaker on the planet.

Fight like a Japanese Judoka, Limit or eliminate Single Leg (Kibisu Gaeshi) or Double Leg (Morote Gari) Take downs and Makikomi techniques during Randori, The Judo at the Kodokan is normally very traditional in regards to technique. If you spend your time doing singles and double legs you again will end up training with the foreigners.

Spend some time watching, From time to time you will get the opportunity to see some really excellent High Ranking Judo technique which if you are a student of Judo will stick in your memory for a lifetime.

Again, enjoy your time training.

Train Hard, Stay Safe,
Good Luck

^Yeah, what he said!^