Tora Dojo Rochelle Park, NJ

Coming from a mixed martial arts background, I have now been studying Daito-ryu Aikijujitsu at Tora Dojo under Franco sensei. The instructions are excellent as sensei is very skillful and knowledgeable about the art, and is able to transmit Daito-ryu to his students using both classical and modern applications. I would highly recommend training with Franco sensei at Tora Dojo which offers both classical and modern jujutsu as well as iado.

I was born in Japan and started my Aikido practice 28 years ago. I experienced many Bujutsu (martial arts) before i moved to the US; sword arts, stick arts, traditional Jujutsu and etc.. Tora Dojo is one of my favorite Dojos amongst my various Dojo experiences. If you would like to practice authentic Japanese martial arts, Tora Dojo should be one of the best places. You can learn Daitoryu Aikijujutsu and a very renown classical sword arts here. Practice session is filled with laughter and the headmaster (Kancho in Japanese) create a great atmosphere to learn those arts in a serious but enjoyable manner. As a Japanese whose English command is far from native speaker, i cannot guarantee if students there laugh at jokes by Kancho just by courtesy or his jokes really are that funny. but i can guarantee his techniques and teaching methods are as good as legitimate martial arts Dojos in Japan.

I have been training at Tora Dojo for over 7 years now. What started off as a mere curiosity has become an integral part of my life. I consider both my Sensei and training partners like a part of my extended family. I underwent surgery last year and I firmly believe that my training helped me recover faster as my body was already accustomed to going through rigorous situations. While training is hard work, Sensei Franco and Sensei Torres both manage to present the material in a fun and clear manner that makes it more conducive to learning.

If you are looking for somewhere to learn either classical martial arts or a more modern self defense system, I highly recommend you stop by and observe a class of whatever art you are interested in.

I've been training with this dojo for years, and it has become a significant part of my life, my instructors and fellow students like family. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience, which blends the rigor of serious training in a highly efficient, pragmatic, and occasionally brutal art form with an atmosphere that is fun and friendly while remaining mindful of tradition and protocol.

Training at Tora Dojo has helped me feel better both mentally and physically. Come check it out!

I consider myself extremely lucky to have found the Tora Dojo. While small, it is populated by a great group of students and teachers that make you feel welcome and comfortable. The atmosphere is one of patient learning, there is never any pressure put on anyone beyond the normal pressure of martial arts training! There are not many places where you can find the art of Iaido being taught, and fewer still where it is being taught by such an excellent teacher. Sensei Franco is a true teacher and mentor, and it takes only 5 minutes with him to realize that he is passionate about all he teaches. That passion is infectious, and if one spends enough time in the Tora Dojo they will find themselves learning quickly under the watchful (but patient!) eye of Sensei Franco, regardless of which art they choose.