Common Questions and Answers

We agree, this is a very expensive event. Every effort has been made to reduce costs and still provide the best experience for event attendees. Unfortunately, it’s expensive to host an event limited to 70 attendees, and as a result it may not be affordable for everyone.

If you have the means, it is important to go to Japan for training. It is the source of all Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu and its ryu-ha lineages. The Japanese Daishihan have a wealth of knowledge and learning from each in their respective dojo training halls is superior to any foreign event offered.

For some, going to Japan is not an option. It is a major commitment in time, funding, and resources. Flight costs, passport requirements, time commitment, language barriers, etc., all add complexity to an international trip. In lieu of going to Japan, attending Nagato Sensei’s 2026 Tai Kai in Tasmania will provide an opportunity to train with Nagato Sensei in a smaller group setting (a traditional dojo). Sensei will be teaching on the mats, moving around, watching and correcting students. In this way, it replicates his classes in Japan (for those that can not make such a trip). Nagato Sensei will be teaching and overseeing ~12 hours of training at the Tai Kai in Hobart,Tasmania (about the same as spending eight days in Japan attending Nagato Sensei’s weekly classes). For these reasons, we believe the investment is worth it for those unable to travel to Japan.

Registration and Payments for the event closes on April 1st, 2026. Full payment is requested and preferred at the time of registration. For those unable to pay the full $1200.00 immediately, a $600 “partial payment” option is available upon registration, with the remaining balance of $600 due in full by April 1st, 2026. Should extenuating circumstances prevent full payment by this deadline, please contact the Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo via email to discuss alternative payment arrangements. 

Full refunds are available until April 1, 2026. After this date, refunds will only be issued if a replacement registration is secured. For more information about refunds, review the “Can I Receive a Ticket Refund?” below.

Pictures and video are prohibited during training sessions, but for a good reason - we want you to enjoy the training and not be concerned about documenting it with photos. So, a professional photographer and videographer team will document the event all weekend. These photos and videos are part of your registration package and will be made available to you once ready. Also, a time and location for an individual/group photo with Nagato Daishihan will be announced during the event. 

Personal cellphone “selfie” photographs with Nagato Sensei will be permitted at a designated time during the event. Please see the event schedule.

Event Staff and Security will enforce expectations when Sensei is involved in photo sessions.

Before/after training sessions and during breaks, taking personal photos with friends or of the facility is allowed. (Ask the Event Staff if you are unsure or would like additional guidance.)

Yes. Registration includes attending the Saturday night dinner and celebration with Nagato Sensei.

Dress code: Semi Formal.

If you are a Bujinkan Yondan (4th Dan), have been at least one year, and wish to take the Godan test, please notify the Event Staff upon arrival to register on the Thursday or the Friday. You must have a hard copy of your Yondan ( 4th dan ) certificate, a Shidoshi/Shihan instructor's endorsement, 2x passport-style photos, and 50,000 JPY ( new notes/cash ) all in an envelope with your name printed on the front to qualify for testing. Based on Nagato Sensei's input, you will be added to the testing element of the event. Upon successfully passing the Godan test, your fees, photos, and documentation will be taken to the Honbu office in Japan for processing personally by the Taikai host. Event Staff will assist in making sure your paperwork is in order for the Godan test.

We understand conflicts arise, and some who register may find they are unable to attend. Refunds are available until August 1, 2026. After August 1st, a “Cancellation Transfer” is required. The Event Staff will help coordinate notifications to waitlist participants but can not ensure a refund is available until the transfer is confirmed.

When you notify us of your need to cancel via email, we will put your cancellation in a queue. When new event attendees pay from the waitlist, we will provide full ticket refunds with those new ticket sales. Refunds will be paid according to the order of the queue (first come, first served). If you help us by finding someone to take your place, that person's new ticket purchase will transfer directly to you (regardless of your place in the cancellation queue). Please email the dojo for more information or to start the process.

It is recommended that participants have their own insurance in the unlikely event that the event is cancelled. If the event has to be unfortunately cancelled, a partial refund will given to participants as soon as possible.

The intimate and traditional dojo setting of the Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo allows for a more authentic Japanese training experience with meaningful instruction and conversations much like in Japan.

The smaller event size of 70 registered participants - provides a more personalised and impactful experience for attendees, allowing Nagato Sensei to teach and interact with participants directly in a safe training environment (something not always feasible at larger events). For those who have been to Japan for training, the Tasmanian Dojo will feel just like you are in Japan, not only because of it's Traditional Japanese Dojo aesthetics, but for the smaller training space between practitioners.

See the Facility page for more information.

It is requested that you do not. It is customary to bring a small gift or token of appreciation as a gift when visiting Bujinkan teachers in Japan. However, this practice is not recommended for Nagato Sensei’s 2026 Tasmania Tai Kai. Doing so creates a burden for Sensei (he has to travel internationally and bring the gifts back to Japan, possibly incurring costs because of the gifts). Instead, know that attending the event and training is the best way to show appreciation for him.

If you are presenting with any cold, flu or covid symptoms, you are asked to refrain from coming to the Dojo.
All persons will be forehead temperature tested outside the dojo before being permitted entry.

Please understand that due to the nature of the event, the close proximity of people in the Dojo and the age of Sensei and his wife, we aim to keep all participants and teachers free from ill health and as healthy as possible during the duration of the Taikai.

The Bujinkan Tasmania Dojo will supply ALL  training weapons for the Taikai.

It is not necessary to bring any weapons to the Taikai.

Please note that it is a condition of entry to have bags checked. If any live blades or other weapons etc are found, you will be asked to return to your place of accomodation and return to the dojo (subject to another bag search) later without that weapon before being allowed entry.

There are no formal designated uke for this event. Nagato Sensei will be choosing uke as he does in his normal classes in Japan - by picking a volunteer for each session he teaches.

Yes. A Professional translator will be providing interpretation services during the entire event, including all training sessions and any side discussions with attendees and special guests. The translator is a long-time Nagato Sensei student who lives in Japan and is bilingual. Nagato Sensei is familiar with the translator and has approved their services.

To ensure the safety and security of Nagato Sensei, you may notice 'security personnel' around Nagato Sensei throughout the event. Please obey all requests of any security team members and keep a clear path for their movements. In addition to the security team for Nagato Sensei, there will be building security to ensure only participants are allowed in and around the dojo as well as ensuring the protection of their belongings when left in the changing rooms. 

Yes, there is a waitlist option. During registration, if the event is sold out, you will automatically be added to the waitlist. Visit the Register link to start the process. When a cancellation occurs or a new space opens up, you will receive an email about a vacancy available at the event and have a few days to respond.

Nagato Sensei's goal during his visit to Tasmania is to represent the Bujinkan and Soke Masaaki Hatsumi. The event schedule and size of the event have been designed to provide each participant with an opportunity to "catch" and practice Nagato Sensei's movement and feeling of training. Because of the schedule, private time for Nagato Sensei is limited to rest and preparing for the event's training sessions. As such, private discussions are unfortunately not available with Nagato Sensei ( unless he specifies/decides otherwise ).

During training, it is recommended attendees wear their full do-gi training uniform during all training sessions.  If Nagato Sensei chooses not to wear a Keiko-gi jacket and instead teaches in a t-shirt or sweatshirt (as he commonly does), you’re welcome to follow his lead. 

Please do not wear vulgar, brightly coloured or inappropriate t-shirts during training. 

• Black Bujinkan Dojo related T-shirts only please.

• Please do not wear ripped or torn training tops or pants.

• Please wear cloth-sole tabi, leather- sole tabi, or plain black socks during training.

• NO other coloured /patterned socks are permitted.

• Rubber-sole tabi, sneakers, and bare feet are not permitted on the mats for this Taikai..

Bringing your own non-alcoholic drinks and small snacks is permitted during the entire event. Please be courteous to others, clean-up after yourself, and do not bring alcoholic beverages. 

A Water station will be setup during the training sessions for all participants to use.

Strictly No Food is to be consumed in the Dojo. 

Drinks may be consumed inside the Dojo in the designated areas only.

These etiquettes form the base requirements when training at the Honbu Dojo in Japan and will be required at the Tasmanian Dojo as well.

Please adhere to the following etiquettes:

Bow upon entry to the Dojo for the first time.

Bow upon entry to the training area the first time.

Bow upon exiting the Dojo for the last time.

Bow upon exiting the training area for the last  time.

Remove Shoes AFTER entry and place neatly in a shoe cubby.

YOU MUST wear shoes every time you LEAVE the dojo. 

It is recommended to wear flip flops or slip ons when you attend the dojo.

During the event, please say "Sensei" (先生) when addressing Nagato Daishihan. Sensei implies 'teacher'  in Japanese and is an honorific term that can be translated as "one who comes before". It is pronounced 'sen-say' . Referring to Nagato Sensei as "Daishihan" outside of initial introductions is honorifically correct, but unnecessary.

We are not allowing any vendors to sell goods at this Taikai.