North America's First Judo Dojo

A Place with Living History

Seattle Dojo stands as the oldest judo facility in the United States, established in the early 1900s. Operating from the same International District location since the 1930s, the building was constructed by first-generation Japanese Americans and designed by architect Kichio Allen Arai in 1934.

The founder of judo, Professor Jigoro Kano, visited this dojo in 1936 and 1938.

After the upheaval of World War II and the internment of the Japanese American community, the dojo reopened January 1, 1947, and has never stopped training. The annual tournament, held every year since 1953, continues to draw competitors from across the Pacific Northwest.