A Local Community Exchange Event
On June 14, 2026, a Kendo experience event, “Let’s Try KENDO!”, was held at the Yokohama Kohoku International Lounge. The event was organized by Morooka Kenyukai and co-hosted by the Community Exchange Planning Department of the Kohoku International Lounge.
More than 40 participants experienced Kendo and learned about the spirit of Bushido, the traditional code of the Japanese samurai. Participants came from a wide variety of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, El Salvador, Burkina Faso, and Nicaragua.
Kendo is one of Japan’s traditional martial arts. The spirit of Bushido, once practiced by the samurai, remains deeply rooted in Japanese culture today.
Respect for others, proper etiquette, and consideration for teammates and seniors are at the heart of Bushido. These values are not only important in martial arts but can also be helpful in daily life and the workplace in Japan.
By showing respect and good manners, it becomes easier to build positive relationships with neighbors and local communities. Likewise, respecting supervisors and colleagues can help you become a valued member of your workplace team.
Events that introduce Japanese culture, such as this one, are held throughout Japan. Information about these events is often available through local government newsletters and community centers, so they are worth checking out.
The Kohoku International Lounge holds five or six international exchange events each year, including concerts, food exchange programs, and multicultural workshops. In addition, it regularly offers hands-on experiences of traditional Japanese culture, such as tea ceremony (Sado), flower arrangement (Kado), and calligraphy (Shodo) classes.
Every October, the Lounge also hosts its largest annual community event, the “Waku Waku Festival,” which attracts more than 1,200 participants each year.
Many of these activities are organized and supported by local volunteers. As Japan faces both a declining birthrate and an aging population, the volunteer community is also aging. The organizers hope that more young people will participate as volunteers in the future.
At the same time, the staff told us that they would like to continue creating new programs and sharing information so that even more people can join these community exchange opportunities.
If you have recently started working and living in Japan, participating in local community events like these can be a great way to meet people and become part of your local community.
One family from El Salvador who attended the event has been living in Japan for only one year. Although they are still facing challenges communicating in Japanese, they shared wonderful smiles throughout the event.
The parents told us that their son attends a Japanese elementary school and that they would like him to continue improving his Japanese language skills. He seemed to enjoy the Kendo experience very much.
During the event, members of Morooka Kenyukai demonstrated Kendo techniques. Their quick movements and powerful spirit impressed the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.
Although this was the first time the club had organized a Kendo experience event for international participants, they provided careful explanations in English and prioritized safety throughout the training and equipment fitting process.
The instructors told us with warm smiles that they were happy to share the appeal of Kendo with people from many different countries.
Currently, a Brazilian member is also training with Morooka Kenyukai. Perhaps you might consider trying Kendo or another traditional Japanese martial art in your local community as well.
Thank you to the staff of Yokohama Kohoku International Lounge and Morooka Kenyukai for making this wonderful event possible.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
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