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Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

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MBT

Chicago Aikikai returning to Ginza Holiday Festival

April 15, 2025 By Dwight

Chicago Aikikai will be returning to give demos at the annual Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival at Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT). Catch us onstage at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 8 and 3:30 pm on Saturday, August 9. And be sure to shop and sample some of the food.

Chicago Aikikai has given numerous aikido demonstrations over the years at the Ginza Holiday, an annual Japanese cultural festival and fundraiser hosted by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. The temple started as the Midwest Buddhist Church in 1944 and began holding the festival in 1955. Chicago Aikikai began giving demonstrations not long after its founding in 1963 as Illinois Aikido Club.

 

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Aikido, Chicago, Chicago Aikikai, demonstration, Japanese American, Japanese Cultural Festival, martial arts, MBT, Midwest Buddhist Church, Midwest Buddhist Temple, Summer Festival

Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival

July 28, 2024 By Dwight

Ginza Holiday Festival demo team.
LtoR: Rob Brose, Satoko Bourdaghs, Qin Coe, Dwight Sora, Eric Sirota, Philip Bell (not pictured: Randy Smith)

Chicago Aikikai received a warm reception for its demonstrations on the Friday night and Saturday afternoon of the annual Ginza Holiday Festival held July 26-28 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple.

Obligatory goofy shot

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Aikido, Budo, Chicago, Chicago Aikikai, culture, demonstration, festival, Ginza Holiday Festival, Illinois, Japan, Japanese, martial arts, MBT, Midwest Buddhist Temple, Old Town

Primary Sidebar

Chicago Aikikai is located at:

Evenings and weekends northside
3900 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Unit 100 – Enter through south door
(Choyokan Kendo Dojo practices at the same building in Unit 200)

Weekday mornings southside
5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd, Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Classes
See Classes page for times. Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Travel

Northside

Driving – 3900 N. Elston Ave. is near Addison entrance/exit to I-90/94. Limited free parking in parking lot. Free/Metered parking on streets (Zoning restrictions on some residential blocks).

Public Transportation – Near CTA Blue Line station at Addison (10-min walk) and #80 Irving Park bus stops (East/West) at Irving Park & Elston/Monticello (4-min walk).

Southside

Driving – 5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd. is near the intersection of 53rd St. and Hyde Park Blvd. Metered parking on streets (Zoning restrictions on some residential blocks).

Public Transportation – Near #6 Jackson Park express bus stops (North/South) at 53rd St. and S. Hyde Park Blvd. (1-min walk).

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Aikido

Aikidō is a modern non-competitive Japanese martial art for developing flexible response to situations with a calm mind and relaxed body without relying on size or muscular strength. Today, 1 million people in 130 countries do aikidō for personal interest, physical conditioning, stress relief, and cultural appreciation.

About Chicago Aikikai

Chicago Aikikai is a registered DBA of Illinois Aikido Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 36-2557303

 

Location and Contact Info

Evening and weekend classes held northside at:
3900 North Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
(Choyokan Kendo Dojo practices at the same building in Unit 200)

Weekday morning classes held southside at:
5307 S. Hyde Park Blv., Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Phone: (312) 870-0687

E-mail: info@chicagoaikikai.org

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