2025 IKO International Intensive Course & Dan Examination was held at Nikko Toshogu Shrine & Honbu Daikanyama Dojo from April 28^th to 30^th. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the memorial resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu Shogun.  Training sessions were held at the Butokuden, the Shrine's 100yr old martial arts training hall, and Japan National Cultural Property.  

Approximately 80 IKO members from 24 countries participated in this 3-day intensive training. Upon arrival to Nikko in the morning on April 28^th, participants were escorted to the Honden, the main hall of the shrine, & considered the most sacred place where the enshrined spirit of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is laid to rest. 

Traditional Shinto prayer was conducted for everyone's continued health and world peace. The priest gave a rare tour imparting his insight into the magnificent history of the shrine grounds, where Kancho Matsui broke with Shuto (knife hand), a stone in honor of the 400th Anniversary of the shogun's passing  - the stone is on display in the shrine's museum. The 1^st training session focused on Kihon, Ido, and dojo etiquette. In the afternoon, all participants enjoyed exploring Nikko Toshogu.

The hotel was in a remote area of the forest, and KYOKUSHINKAIKAN members were the only guests. Generous, traditional meals, featuring local specialties, were served at large communal tables, and members from around the world had the chance to bathe together in the mineral-rich Onsen hot spring, many for the first time.

On April 29^th, two sessions were conducted at Butokuden, focusing on Kata, Bunkai and Kumite foot works.  

The last day, April 30^th, the final session & Dan test was conducted at IKO Honbu Daikanyama Dojo. Advanced Katas, conditioning, hand stand walking, jump training, and pushups were covered for the Dan Examination. Jiyuu kumite (free fighting) concluded the course. 

The International Intensive Course is held after international events in Japan, to refresh IKO instructors' techniques, and are an excellent opportunity for international camaraderie and cultural exchange. 

Osu!