Events
10th August - 2nd September, 2026
Wellington
Join us for our Beginners Course at Yōshinkan Kendo Club. This unique Japanese martial art teaches you the techniques and skills of wielding the sword, while also building strength, sharpening focus, and cultivating discipline and inner calm.
31st October - 15th November, 2026
Japan
Yōshinkan is celebrating it’s 25th birthday in 2026! In recognition of this significant milestone in the history of our club, we are organising a trip to Japan. Our aim will be to train in various dojos around Tokyo, Shiuoka, Kyoto and elsewhere, and have a great time while doing it!
Past Events
10th - 12th July, 2026
Wellington
Yōshinkan were the proud hosts of the NZ Nationals tournament in 2026. Over four days we saw the best of NZ Budo, from Shimpan instruction and iaido, naginata and jodo demonstrations, to 128 Kendo matches fought with high spirit. Congratulations to all the winners! And well done to everyone for bringing their best to the shiaijo.
New Zealand Nationals
4th May, 2026
Wellington
Yōshinkan turned 25 in 2026. If that wasn’t an excuse for a party, I don’t know what is! The team gathered to celebrate in style, with a delicious Japanese feast at Tatsushi in Wellington.
25th Anniversary
10th - 12th April, 2026
Himatangi
Our summer Kendo extravaganza was back in 2026. The team headed up to Himatangi for two days of training and Shiai, led by our guest instructor Alan Sensei.
Not The Summer Camp
13th December, 2025
Hataitai, Wellington
Christmas Party
17th November - 10th December, 2025
Wellington
Beginners Course - November 2025
9th November
Lower Hutt Event Centre
Yōshinkan had a blast at this year’s Japan Day. Our fundraising team sold over 250 okonomiaki to hungry festival goers, an absolutely phenomenal result! Their work will make an invaluable contribution to our birthday celebration plans for 2026.
In the meantime, our demonstration and outreach team introduced hundreds of attendees to kendo, ran impromptu jigeiko sessions, and performed two on stage demonstrations.
Hutt Japan Day 2025
28th September, 2025
Wellington
Yōshinkan hosted a Path to Podium seminar, led by the NZ Kendo Coaching team, on the 28th of September. P2P events are open to everyone, supporting the shared goal of building a high-performance culture within the NZKF. “Expect lots of Shiai, hard keiko, and targeted feedback.”
P2P Seminar
23rd April - 28th May, 2025
Wellington
Beginners Course - May 2025
22nd - 23rd March, 2025
Paekākāriki
Our club enjoyed the return of a long running Yōshinkan tradition in March 2025. A weekend of Kendo training, shiai and team building on the sunny Kapiti coast. This year we were delighted to welcome Alan Stephenson Sensei, 7th Dan, of Otago Kendo Club to lead our keiko.