In January 2025, Nakao Sensei of Seibukan held a seminar in Auckland, New Zealand. The event was organized by Ivan Neziri, who runs a dojo in Auckland. Having once lived in Kobe and trained at Seibukan himself, Ivan was deeply motivated to share Sensei Nakao’s aikido with New Zealand, which led to the realization of this seminar.

Inspired by the seminar, my New Zealand friends decided to visit Seibukan during their trip to Japan, and we were fortunate to join them.

Their itinerary included training at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo from the beginning of September, traveling through Kyoto and Kobe, and returning to the Hombu Dojo once again. After coordinating schedules, we settled on September 13 (Saturday) to September 15 (Monday, a public holiday) for a two-night, three-day visit.

~A new season, new encounters, and new learning~

This is the second installment of information on the 2026 seminars led by Nebi Vural Sensei from Turkey. 

In 2026, an impressive total of 31 seminars are scheduled, promising a truly fulfilling year. To make the information easier to follow, we are presenting the schedule in four parts, each covering three months. 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. büşra.akdoğan, who has been continuously sharing the latest updates on Nebi Vural Sensei since the very beginning of Aikido Travel. Thank you sincerely for your warm support.  

Around 8 a.m., we shared our last breakfast with A-san.

She returned to Tokyo, while we set off to explore Kochi area. Having spent three days together, parting felt a little lonely, but with smiles we wished each other a wonderful day ahead.

We rented a car once again, relying on his memory to guide us. Mike told me that when he lived in Kochi, he stayed at the foot of the mountains.

“There’s a temple here.”

Knowing my fondness for shrines and temples, he stopped the car. We climbed the stone steps toward the main hall on the hilltop, and when I turned back, a breathtaking view of the mountain village unfolded before me.

We’re pleased to share the schedule for the upcoming year-end and New Year events at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

*We’re pleased to announce that the website of our headquarters dojo has been updated.

https://aikikai.or.jp/eng/

2025 (Reiwa 7)

*Thursday, December 25 – Final Practice of the Year

 Regular classes at Hombu Dojo will be on break from December 25 through January 5.