Events
17th November - 10th December, 2025
Wellington
Our next beginners course will be kicking off in a few short weeks. Whether you’ve always wanted to try Kendo or are curious to learn more, the course is a great introduction and an opportunity to make some friends among others just starting out on the Way of the Sword.
13th December, 2025
Hataitai, Wellington
The year’s nearly done, and you know what that means - it’s time to gather the Yoshinkan crew for our annual Christmas Party. It’s a fine chance to celebrate friendships old and new, swap tall tales of whacky whacky stick stick, and toast another year of adventure together.
April, 2026
Paekākāriki
I’m delighted to share that our Kendo Summer extravaganza will return in 2026. More information to follow. Watch this space!
Not The Summer Camp
4th May, 2026
Wellington
Yōshinkan will turn 25 in 2026. If that isn’t an excuse for a party, I don’t know what is! Watch this space for celebration plans.
25th Anniversary
10th - 12th July, 2026
Wellington
Yōshinkan is delighted to be hosting the NZ Nationals tournament in 2026. We’re looking forward to welcoming NZ Kenshi to Wellington for an awesome weekend of Shiai, while also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the NZKF.
More information to come in early 2026.
New Zealand Nationals
31st October - 15th November, 2026
Japan
Yōshinkan will be celebrating it’s 25th birthday in 2026! In recognition of this significant milestone in the history of our club, we will be organising a trip to Japan. Our aim will be to train in various dojos around Tokyo, Kyoto and elsewhere, and have a great time while doing it!
Past Events
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 - Autumn 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.