Price of training in Japan

I would jump at a total price including airfare of around $3000 per person...

Too bad we don't practice a Philippine martial art! Our dollars would go a lot further towards a 2-week visit to "the old country".

Japan, it turns out, is economically a 1st class country.

Normal economy airfare to Japan ranges around $1200 - $1500 from the middle of the USA. Hatsumi Sensei's classes are approximately $40 per session, at 3,000 Yen plus 300+ Yen facility fee.

(After paying for a week of training in Japan, I am always amused to the point of a broad grin when the naive or foolish whine and fret about American teachers who "commercialize the training")

That leaves a little more/less than $1,000 for expenses. $75 per day for hotel and meals is *possible* in Japan, if you want to double-up at a lowest-end boarding house, but I personally would never want to stay under those conditions. I certainly could not accompany you if that is where you wanted to stay.

That budget restriction also eliminates any meaningful travel around the country to the power places associated with our martial heritage. Sure, you could just hole up in gritty little industrial Noda City and train, but if all you are looking for is mechanical taijutsu training, there are plenty of excellent teachers who could deliver that for far less money here in the States.

It is possible to "do Japan" for $3,000, but it would require your going over on your own and ferreting out those low-end deals without me and Rumiko traveling along to assist.

Wishing it were otherwise, I counsel my students to do what it takes to find enough money to do Japan "right."

- Stephen K. Hayes