Background Information --

From June 20 until July 8, 2000 I was one of 200 educators who were participants in a marvelous adventure to the island nation of Japan. The trip was sponsored by the Japanese government through an organization called the Japan-United States Education Commission (JUSEC) and it is administered by the Fulbright Memorial Fund.

Institute of International Education information about the Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher's Program

Our trip itinerary was impecibly laid out. It included several days in Tokyo filled with workshops and presentations about the state of affairs of Japanese culture, society, and education. Then we had a free weekend to explore on our own. I train in Aikido and I knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to visit Hombu Dojo. So I ventured forth to find it and train in Japan at the founder's dojo. Our stay continued with ten days in a more rural part of Japan. I (along with 20 of my fellow Fulbrighters and an interpretor/guide) was assigned to the beautiful city of Kaga in the prefecture of Ishikawa on the Western shore of Japan. During this time we visited institutions representing all four levels of Japanese education; university, high school, middle school and elementary school. We also visited a school for handicapped students as well as city and prefecture governmental offices, local industry and a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan). The highlight of the entire trip, however, was the two day home-stay with a Japanese family. I stayed with the Kazuo Miyashita family. And that began the story of Taketonbo.org ...

Directions to Hombu
Follow the photographic tour of the Tokyo subway system and these "sure fire" directions to find Aikikai World Headquarters.

To get to Aikido World Headquarters I used the cheapest, fastest Tokyo transportation system (the subways) then I walked 15-20 minutes. It was a great wam-up before practice!

Take the Marunouchi (Red) Subway line

to the Shinjuku - Sanchome station

Use the C7 exit. Exit signs use yellow ground with black writing.

It is a long way to here. Maybe 100 meters from the sign above.

Go up the stairs to street level.

At the top of the stairs to the left there is a "You are here" sign with directions to the Shinjuku Bunka (Cultural) Center. The sign is just to the left of the bicycle rack in this photo.

Do what it says. You will walk past the Shinjuku Bunka Center on your way to the dojo.

Proceed ahead on the sidewalk as if you came straight out of the C7 subway enterance (like the guy in the tan raincoat). Ahead 30 meters and to your right and is the "Gold" pachinco parlor. Right side in the photo - the cluster of umbrellas.

Go straight cross the small side street. Ahead is a police box. Go straight across the big intersection (Yasukuni).

150 meters straight ahead is a footbridge over a Y shaped intersection of two busy streets. You can just barely see it in the photo, just above the bright red umbrella. Pass the footbridge entrance and proceed straight up the street.

Go straight across the small street that comes in from the right.

The next intersection (5-7 min. from the subway) entrance has a small kiosk on the right.

The kiosk represents the Shinjuku Bunka Center and is behind the man with the bicycle on the right of the photo.

Go right at this intersection. It is a one way street - cars are coming toward you. (Note: the van on the right was parked on the sidewalk loading some heavy objects. The black car is on the street.) Stay on the right side of the street.

40-50 meters straight ahead and to the right is a SunKrus convenient store.

150 meters ahead and on the left is a golf driving range a great landmark. It is across the street from the Shinjuku Bunka Center.

Continue up the one-way go straight across all side streets.

About 7-10 min. from the kiosk is the Nuke Benten Intersection. The blue highway sign in the photo indicates the intersection. The stoplight in the next photo controls the right turn shown on the sign. Remember, "right on red" in Japan would be disasterous, they drive on the "other side" there.

As you apporach the Nuke Benten plaza (which is just past the blue highway sign), a major two-way street is on the left. It is divided by a shrub laden boulevard. Another major street comes in from your right.

At this stoplight cross the two way street on your left - toward the AMPM convenient store.

The guy with the baseball cap riding his bike is looking toward the AMPM. The more distant bike rider is crossing where you will cross. After crossing the street, turn right and go past the Benten Market it will be to your left. You will turn left at the next stop light. (The distant red dot between the two bike riders.)

About 75 meters from the Nuke Benten Intersection is the side street to the dojo and the stop light mentioned above.

Keep your eyes open, on the left there is a white 5"x5" (15 x 15 cm) post with "Aikido Hombu Dojo" in kanji.

When I took these photos, the white van was trying to hide the post.

Here's what the street and sign looks like coming from the opposite direction

Why do I know this? Don't ask ... if it wasn't for the American delivery guy on a moped.... anyway, let's continue.

Turn left down this side street Hombu Dojo is about 100 meters ahead on the left.

You found it! ... and here's the door

Training at Hombu

before class. Your's truly after class.