About

Shotokan Karate Minnesota is a *traditional Japanese karate school* at *1517 Central Avenue NE* in Northeast Minneapolis, teaching adults, children, and families under *Sensei Gina Wood*. Founded in *1958* by Sensei Robert L. Fusaro as the Twin Cities School of Karate — later Midwest Karate Association — the school has trained students in the Twin Cities for more than *65 years* and holds a *4.9 rating* from Google reviewers.

Fusaro trained at the Japan Karate Association's headquarters dojo in Japan starting in 1955, opened the school's first Minneapolis dojo in 1960, and went on to become one of the *highest-ranking non-Japanese Shotokan masters* in the western hemisphere, earning his 9th Dan in 2013 and a posthumous 10th Dan after his death in 2019. The school was renamed Shotokan Karate Minnesota shortly after, and leadership has passed from senior student to senior student to keep his teaching alive.

What to expect

Classes cover *kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring)* for adults and mature youth, alongside separate children's and family classes for kids six and up. New students can start any time during the month, there are *no contracts*, and belt testing happens only when a student is ready — as often as every four months.

Sensei Gina Wood, a *2nd-degree black belt* who has trained under the school since 1995, now leads the program and its children's classes; she also runs summer karate day camps for kids through her own company, Midwest Karate Kids. Senior instructors *Al Kotula (6th Dan)* and *Jon Hodapp (4th Dan)* — training since the late 1960s and 1970s, respectively — continue teaching alongside her.

Highlights

The school's Shotokan lineage runs directly through *Sensei Robert L. Fusaro*, who trained in Japan under members of the JKA Instructors' School and became one of the highest-ranking non-Japanese Shotokan masters in the world. Sensei Gina Wood carries that lineage forward, having won *gold in women's kata* at the 2024 AAKF National Championships and gone on to compete internationally in Lima, Peru.

Training is *non-contact* by design — instructors emphasize good form specifically to prevent injury rather than conditioning students to absorb blows — and the school describes its culture as *"friendly discipline"*, welcoming total beginners into the same room as decades-long students.

Pricing

Adult classes run *$100/month* for unlimited attendance; children's/family classes and the student rate (available to any high school, college, or vocational student) both run *$85/month*. Training as a family costs less per person — an additional *$40/month per child* or *$50/month per adult* beyond the first family member, who pays the standard individual rate. A *free first class* is available before committing to anything, and uniforms cost $40 at the dojo or students can bring their own.

Good to know

Shotokan Karate Minnesota is at *1517 Central Avenue NE* in Northeast Minneapolis, with classes running weekday afternoons and evenings plus *Saturday mornings*; the school is closed Fridays and Sundays. Reach the school at *(651) 908-8603* or *ShotokanKarateMN@gmail.com*.

Most members pay monthly through the school's *GymDesk* system, though cash and check are accepted, and payments can be paused or canceled at any time. New visitors are encouraged to check the posted class schedule, arrive a few minutes early, and wear comfortable clothes for their free first class.

Hours

Monday: 4:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM, 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Wednesday: 5:15 PM – 7:45 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM, 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 8:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Sunday: Closed

Recent reviews

This is traditional Karate! Classes are a mix of young children, teens, young adults, and seniors. Shotokan Karate is accessible to most. This school hosts a deep pool of seasoned students. Beginner classes start with…

Ben Wilkinson · 5/5 · 12 months ago

All the instructors have years of teaching experience. Classes are offered at convenient times. Based very much on traditional Japanese training. Great for all ages of adults or kids.

Cathy Pinske · 5/5 · 11 months ago

This is a fantastic dojo that teaches pure, traditional Japanese style Shotokan Karate. There are classes for all ages and levels, with a welcoming atmosphere. I am confident that you'll find this dojo to be an…

Tom Hafner · 5/5 · 11 months ago

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