Mito Tōbukan has hosted the National Junior Kendo Invitational Tournament for elementary school students since 1960. It is one of the largest youth Kendo tournaments in Japan, drawing about 350 teams from across the country each year. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of their dojo, they are now inviting overseas teams to participate.
Tournament Overview
- Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Doors open 7:00 / Opening ceremony 8:30 (scheduled)
- Venue: Adastria Mito Arena (scheduled)
2-3-10 Midori-chō, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture - Format: Team competition, 5-person squads
Eligibility
- Players must be under 13 years old as of March 31, 2026.
- Teams must consist of 1 coach and 5 players.
- At least one accompanying staff member (coach or guardian) must be able to communicate in Japanese.
*Note: If a team has fewer than 5 players on the day, participation is still possible; however, teams with fewer than 3 players cannot compete.
Participation Fee
10,000 JPY (cash payment at check-in on the day of the tournament)
Accommodation
Hotels in and around Mito City are largely booked for the event. We recommend staying a little farther away, such as Tokyo, Tsuchiura, or Tsukuba.
How to Apply / Express Interest
If you are interested, please email <kozawaakira@gmail.com>
with the following information:
- Country name(s) (list all countries if forming a joint team)
- Team name
- Administrative contact person (name) and email address
Experience / Observation Programs & Practice Matches
1) Practice Matches on the Day Before
Informal practice matches will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with voluntary participation by Japanese teams.
Each team typically plays around five matches; the exact number can be adjusted by mutual agreement between teams.
2) Visit & Practice at Mito Tōbukan
You may observe and/or practice at Mito Tōbukan, a traditional Japanese dojo celebrating its 150th year.
Observations of demonstrations in classical martial arts such as Hokushin Ittō-ryū, Nittemi-ryū Battojutsu, and Iaido may also be arranged.
For requests regarding experiences/observations (content, dates/times), please contact us by email (kozawaakira@gmail.com). Joint practices with adult and youth members of Mito Tōbukan can also be discussed.
Mito offers many famous sightseeing spots, including Kairakuen (one of Japan’s three great gardens), Kōdōkan, and nearby Ōarai Isosaki Shrine. We hope you’ll enjoy sightseeing during your stay.
Contact
Akira Kozawa
Email: kozawaakira@gmail.com
