
I høst har Sensei Fabio vært på en lengre reise i Japan sammen med Kofukans sjefsinstruktør, Sensei Keiji Tomiyama. Her deler han fra reisen. Til inspirasjon!
This year I had the privilege of traveling to Japan with a group of black belts from various dōjō within our Shitōryū-dō Kofukan family. It was a journey guided by Sensei Keiji Tomiyama, who opened the doors to the most authentic side of Japan: its dōjō, its masters, its traditions, and those meaningful moments that stay with you long after you return home.
Our trip began in Toyoka, where we were warmly welcomed by Kofukan Japan. We spent four intense days filled with training sessions, official visits – including a meeting with the mayor – and the beautiful experience of helping to referee a children’s event in Izuchi. From there, we travelled to Hiroshima, hosted by the Shitōryū Karatedō Senshinkan Dōjō, where we experienced the discipline and quiet intensity of a true Japanese training hall.

In Tokyo, we visited the Japan Karate Federation Headquarters and attended the prestigious All-Japan University Championship, supporting Doshisha University. We later had the opportunity to train with their students — an exchange that left us inspired, energized, and deeply connected.
Between trainings, we also explored Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nara — cities where culture, respect, and martial spirit are present in every detail. From the Golden Pavilion to the bamboo forests, from Dotonbori to the deer in Nara… every moment reminded us why Japan is the home of karate, and why Shitōryū-dō Kofukan is more than a style — it is a way of growing as human beings.

It was a journey that strengthened our group, deepened our understanding of our martial path, and reminded us what karate truly means: commitment, humility, roots, and heart.
For anyone who wants to relive the experience, all photos and videos are collected in the highlight stories on my Instagram profile ( karate4ff75 ). It’s the best way to share a bit of this adventure with everyone who wasn’t physically with us… but is still part of the same journey.
Fabio Fabietti, December 2025







