Samurai Karate Kensington Dojo — Victoria
Self Defence and Martial Arts Classes in Kensington
Samurai Karate is a traditional Martial art well designed to meet the needs of our modern world. From a solid foundation springs a wealth of physical and mental abilities that will serve you and your child throughout life! Our martial arts academy has stood the test of time, serving the community for over 40 years and contributing to the development of thousands of students.
At Samurai Karate Kensington, we welcome families and adults from across the inner-city suburbs. Whether you’re looking for martial arts for kids in Kensington, karate for children Kensington families trust, or a well-established Kensington karate club for adults, our dojo blends traditional Shukokai discipline with real-world self-defence.
Welcome to the Kensington Dojo
Learning martial arts in Melbourne is fun and provides lifelong benefits. Located conveniently on Racecourse Rd, our dojo is a proud cornerstone of the vibrant Kensington community, serving students across the inner-city suburbs. We know it can feel a little intimidating jumping right into a class, which is why we invite you to come in for some private lessons with no obligation to join. Our dedicated instructors will help you learn basic skills, answer all your questions, and even fit you out in your own uniform to get started. If you have friends or family further out, we also have excellent facilities at our Croydon Dojo and Caroline Springs Dojo.
As one of Kensington’s more established karate clubs, we’ve helped local families and adults build confidence for over 40 years. If you’ve been comparing Kensington karate clubs or searching for karate Kensington locals recommend, we invite you to visit and try a private lesson for yourself.
Karate Programs for All Ages
In our Kensington classes, you or your child will experience a dynamic program designed to channel energy and focus in a supportive, friendly environment. We offer specialised classes including Little Samurai (ages 4-7), Juniors (ages 8-15), and Adults (16+). With time and consistent practice, students enjoy the fruits of their training, obtaining various levels throughout their development. The skills developed here will transfer into success in everyday life. To learn more about how to begin this journey, check out our guide on finding the perfect dojo near me.

LITTLE SAMURAI | 4-7
Our Little Samurai program is one of the most popular choices for martial arts for kids in Kensington, introducing children ages 4-7 to basic movement, listening skills, and fun in a safe, structured environment.

JUNIORS | 8-15
Junior students build on foundational skills with karate for children Kensington families rely on, developing focus, coordination, and confidence as they progress through grading.

ADULTS | 16+
Our adult classes offer fitness, stress relief, and practical self-defence a key reason Samurai Karate is considered one of the leading Kensington karate clubs for grown-up students too.
Why Local Families Choose Our Kensington Karate Club
Situated on Racecourse Rd, Samurai Karate Kensington has become a trusted local option for martial arts Kensington families and adults have relied on for over 40 years. Unlike many Kensington karate clubs that focus purely on fitness, we combine traditional Shukokai discipline with genuine self-defence skills for every age group. From martial arts for kids in Kensington through to adult grading, every student trains within a supportive, inner-city community. If you’re comparing Kensington karate clubs, we invite you to book a private introductory lesson and experience Samurai Karate Kensington for yourself.
VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS
Our Martial Arts Family
Our Samurai Karate Family is a community of people committed to personal growth, for themselves & one another. Individuals who support one another and share in the journey, having fun, enjoying the development of success strategies along the way. When you join Samurai Karate, you’ll find friends with like-minded focus.
Register your interest on our waiting list
We will contact you in the next 24/48h to discuss available classes.
Kensington Dojo Timetable
Select the Group tab to view the timing information you need.
DOJO TIMETABLE
- KENSINGTON DOJO
- Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- Adult Senior (14yrs+)
- Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
- Tournament Class
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30 pm |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
| 5:00 pm |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
| 5:30 pm |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
| 6:00 pm | ||||
| 6:30 pm |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
Tournament Class
- Tournament class for Red belts & up |
| 7:00 pm |
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
- (Purple to Black) |
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
- (White to Blue) |
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
- (Purple to Black) |
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
- (White to Blue) |
| 7:30 pm | ||||
| 8:00 pm | ||||
| 8:30 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30 pm |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
|||
| 5:00 pm |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow/Orange) |
||
| 5:30 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 pm |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
||
| 5:30 pm |
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
|||
| 6:00 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 pm |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
- (Orange & Green) |
|
| 6:00 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 pm |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
- ( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black) |
|
| 7:00 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 pm |
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
- (Purple to Black) |
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
- (Purple to Black) |
||
| 7:30 pm | ||||
| 8:00 pm | ||||
| 8:30 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30 pm |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
- (White/Red/Yellow) |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 pm |
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
- (White to Blue) |
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
- (White to Blue) |
||
| 7:30 pm | ||||
| 8:00 pm |
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 pm |
Tournament Class
- Tournament class for Red belts & up |
|||
| 7:00 pm |
Monday
-
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow/Orange)
-
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
-
(Orange & Green)
-
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
-
( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black)
-
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
-
(Purple to Black)
Tuesday
-
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow/Orange)
-
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
-
( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black)
-
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
-
(White to Blue)
Thursday
-
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Little Samurai (6-7yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow/Orange)
-
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
-
(Orange & Green)
-
Junior Senior (8-13yrs)
-
( Blue/Purple/Brown/Black)
-
Adult Senior (14yrs+)
-
(Purple to Black)
Friday
-
Little Samurai (4-5yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Junior Novice (8-13yrs)
-
(White/Red/Yellow)
-
Junior Intermediate (8-13yrs)
-
(Orange & Green)
-
Tournament Class
-
Tournament class for Red belts & up
-
Adult Novice & Intermediate (14yrs+)
-
(White to Blue)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Where are your martial arts classes located?
Our Kensington karate club is located at 191 Racecourse Rd, Kensington VIC 3031, serving the inner-city suburbs. We also operate multiple dojo locations across Victoria, including Croydon and Caroline Springs, so if you have friends or family further out, there’s likely a Samurai Karate dojo nearby too. Kensington remains one of our most convenient locations for martial arts Kensington residents and commuters alike.
Q: Do you offer a free trial for new students?
Yes, Samurai Karate Kensington offers a free, no-obligation private introductory lesson for every new student. This gives you or your child the chance to try a class, meet the instructors, and ask questions before committing to our karate club. It’s the easiest way to see if martial arts for kids in Kensington or our adult classes are the right fit for your family.
Q: What age can my child start karate?
Children can start karate for kids in Kensington from as young as 4 years old in our Little Samurai program (ages 4-7). Junior classes then continue the journey for ages 8-15, building focus, discipline, and coordination through structured, age-appropriate training. Whether your child is a complete beginner or ready to progress in grading, our Kensington karate club has a class suited to their stage.
Q: What style of karate do you teach?
Samurai Karate Kensington teaches traditional Shukokai Karate, a Japanese style known for speed, powerful technique, and highly practical self-defence application. This makes it suitable for kids building coordination and confidence, as well as adults seeking genuine, real-world self-defence skills. Our curriculum follows the same internationally recognised standard taught across all Samurai Karate dojos in Victoria.
Q: What are the benefits of joining your martial arts academy?
Joining our Kensington karate club builds confidence, discipline, coordination, and motor skills for kids, while giving adults a fantastic workout alongside stress relief and essential self-defence skills. Beyond the physical benefits, students develop respect, focus, and resilience that carry over into school, work, and everyday life. Many families choose martial arts Kensington classes specifically for this well-rounded personal development.
Q: Do you use weapons in training?
Beginners at our Kensington dojo focus entirely on foundational empty-hand techniques, stances, strikes, and blocks before any weapons are introduced. Advanced students may later progress to traditional Kobudo (weapons training) as part of elite-level development. This ensures every student builds a strong technical foundation before advancing further.
Q: How much do the karate classes cost?
Pricing at Samurai Karate Kensington depends on your training frequency and age group. We recommend starting with our free introductory lesson or current $49 special, after which our team will walk you through a detailed membership breakdown tailored to your goals. There’s no pressure to commit; you can decide once you’ve experienced a class firsthand.
Q: What should I wear for my first class?
For your first class at our Kensington karate club, comfortable activewear or loose-fitting clothing is all you need; no special gear required. Bare feet or light socks are fine on the mats. Once you decide to continue training, our team will help fit you out in your own karate uniform (gi) to get started.
Do you offer martial arts classes for kids in Kensington?
Yes, Samurai Karate Kensington runs dedicated martial arts classes for kids in Kensington across age-banded groups from Little Samurai (4-7) through to Juniors (8-15). Each class focuses on discipline, coordination, and age-appropriate self-defence in a safe, supportive environment close to the inner city.
What makes Samurai Karate one of the best Kensington karate clubs?
We combine over 40 years of traditional Shukokai teaching with a genuinely local, community-focused dojo on Racecourse Rd. Unlike many Kensington karate clubs that focus purely on fitness, we place equal emphasis on discipline, confidence, and real self-defence for both kids and adults.