If you are martial artist who come to Japan and you hope to find martial art pro shop here, you may fail.
Trust me...the martial equipment shops (budo shop) are difficult to find in Japan.
You cannot find it in small town. Normally, you can find it near the training hall.
I will introduce some shop that I know here. I hope it will help many people.
The first one...
Suidobashi Station, Tokyo
There are two shops which I usually go to buy some traditional martial art stuff near Tokyo dome city just cross the street.
1. Suidobashi Shokai 水道橋商会
Just next from the exist of subway (A1 exit) .It is well-known shop.
However, you need some Japanese skill to talk with the shop owner.
This shop is famous for Japanese and Foreigner who live in Japan.
The equipment which you can find in the shop are:
- The equipment which use in Japanese Martial arts Such as Karate, Iaido, Judo, Jujitsu, Kendo, Kobudo, I aido ...
For example Gi for Judo and Karate, Shinai, Bo, Jo, Naginata, Bokken, Kendo equipment, Fukuro Shinai ...
- If you buy the obi (belt) , they have embroider service
However, you need to know some Japanese Language to communicate with the owner.
2. Budogu
I'm not sure about the name of the shop. However, you just walk from the above shop for 100 meters.
It is a big shop which you can see it easily. They always have a shinai box display outside the show.
In this shop you can find Japanese Martial arts equipment same with the first shop.
Since they are bigger and have the space, you can walk inside and see the equipment easily.
You can find Kendo, Iaido, Karate weapon such as Sai, Nunchaku, Tonfa.
Also you will see Iaido sword, Kendo bogu, Shuriken, Bo, Jo, etc...
