Can You Watch Kendo Matches in Japan?

Did you ever pick up a shoehorn as a kid and wield it like a legendary sword, fighting off invisible enemies in your living room? For many boys, anything vaguely sword-shaped becomes a gateway to an imaginary battlefield. And in a way, kendo is the real-world version of that dream — refined, disciplined, and very, very loud.

Many travelers are surprised to learn that you can watch real kendo matches in Japan — and that most events are completely free to enter. However, kendo tournaments have their own etiquette and atmosphere. If you walk in without knowing the basics, you may find yourself slightly overwhelmed.

This guide explains where you can watch kendo matches and what to keep in mind on the day, written from the perspective of someone who grew up with the sport all around them.

1. Where Can You Watch It?

Kendo is a very familiar martial art in Japan. Local dojo, school clubs, and community tournaments are held almost every weekend somewhere in the country. My two children also attend a neighborhood kendo class, and they occasionally compete in small tournaments at our city gymnasium.

However, when it comes to tournament information that a traveler can access online, the situation is completely different.
In today’s Japan, only a small number of events publish accurate information on the internet — the vast majority do not.

It’s not that Japan is hiding secret training sessions or guarding some ancient tradition.
The simple truth is that kendo has no “professional” tier, and almost all tournaments are community-based amateur events. As a result, most of them provide little to no public announcement.

Within this landscape, the only reliably accessible information for travelers comes from the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF), which organizes tournaments featuring the country’s top-level competitors.
These major events can be found on the AJKF’s official website.

That said, the English-language pages contain almost no useful information.
While the Japanese pages at least list the names of upcoming tournaments, the English version does not even cover that much.

As of December 1, 2025, the tournaments listed on the Japanese website are as follows:

Among these, the following events are especially recommended for travelers:

● The 22nd Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kendo Tournament

This event gathers top-tier competitors, making it one of the best opportunities to experience “real kendo” at the highest level. The matches are intense and technically impressive, and visitors from overseas are likely to find it the most satisfying option.

● The 1st Asia–Oceania Kendo Championship

As this is the first edition, details are still unknown. However, with competitors expected from outside Japan, it offers a rare chance to see kendo as a growing global sport.

● Scheduled for May 2027: The World Kendo Championships

Details have not yet been released, but this world tournament is held once every three years. When hosted in Japan, it becomes a major international event.

2. How to Enjoy Watching Kendo (and What Might Confuse You)

If you’ve never seen kendo in person before, you may wonder how exactly to enjoy it.
Here are the key points that will help you feel more comfortable during your first live match.

2-1. It’s totally fine if you can’t tell what counts as a point

A successful ippon in kendo is surprisingly hard to judge just by looking.
It requires a combination of proper strike, footwork, posture, spirit, and timing — something that is almost impossible to grasp on your first viewing.

Even many Japanese spectators think, “Wait, what part of that was good?”
So don’t worry. Simply enjoying the feel of the split-second exchanges is more than enough.

2-2. Matches are extremely short (three minutes, or a few more with overtime)

Compared to other sports, kendo matches end shockingly fast.
A match finishing in three minutes is completely normal, and even overtime rarely lasts long.

Because of this, there’s a real tension — blink, and you might miss the deciding moment.
There are no rounds like boxing, and no repeated turns at bat like baseball. Everything happens in bursts.

2-3. The venue is surprisingly quiet

For competitors, loud shouts can be a crucial part of winning.
For spectators, the opposite is true — silence is expected.

• No loud cheering
• Minimal applause
• Be mindful when entering or exiting
• The entire gymnasium feels tense and focused

It may feel less like watching a sport and more like observing a formal ritual.
That’s why the explosive shouts from the players stand out so strongly — the contrast is part of kendo’s unique appeal.

2-4. Enter and exit quietly

The sound of a door opening or closing carries much farther than you’d expect.
If possible, move during breaks in the action or when both players are still.

2-5. No flash photography; videos may be restricted

Flash photography is absolutely prohibited.
Some tournaments also place limits on video recording, so it’s best to follow the instructions of staff and any announcements.

2-6. You can enjoy kendo even without knowing the techniques or rules

You don’t need to memorize technique names or judging criteria to appreciate kendo.
In fact, most spectators don’t have detailed knowledge themselves.

What matters is the experience:

• The intensity and spirit
• The sudden bursts of speed
• The competitors’ posture and presence
• The moment when all three referees raise their flags at once

If you can enjoy those elements, you’re already getting the essence of kendo.

3. Summary

Yes — you can watch real kendo in Japan, and most major tournaments are free to enter.
Information is limited and often only in Japanese, but once you know where to go, anyone can walk in and observe high-level matches.

Kendo venues are quiet, intense, and surprisingly accessible.
You don’t need deep knowledge of the sport — just respect the atmosphere, avoid flash photography, and enjoy the sharp, explosive moments that define kendo.

If you’re looking for a uniquely Japanese experience that few travelers attempt, watching a live kendo match is an excellent choice.

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