Philadelphia Aikido

3901 Conshohocken Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Telephone: (215) 275-5727
Email: phila.aikido@gmail.com

Philadelphia Aikido-Queen Village Dojo

530 Bainbridge Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(In the Zhang Sah School)

Telephone: (215) 275-5727
Email: phila.aikido@gmail.com

Aikido has the power to change your life. It will start you on the path to unite your mind and your body. While learning a practical method of self-defense, you will develop your innate power and begin to achieve harmony and peace.

If you are interested in pursuing this defensive art, then this is the place to get started. Philadelphia Aikido is the region’s oldest and premier place to learn about and train in Aikido – Personal Growth through Self-Defense. We recommend that you schedule a personal visit right here to see our beautiful schools, meet the instructors and watch a class.

NEW in April 2025: In addition to our original location in Wynnefield, we now have a dojo in Queen Village.

Please call or email to schedule a tour or ask any other Aikido related questions.

Visit us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philadelphia_aikido/

Dojo History

In 1968 Shuji Maruyama Sensei was sent to the United States to promote the growth of the art of Aikido. He had studied as one of the esteemed uchi deshi (resident student) of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Maruyama Sensei settled in Philadelphia, speaking very little English, with limited funds and virtually no support. He was a pioneer, introducing this little known art to Americans. A slight man, Maruyama Sensei began the work of convincing much larger people of the efficacy and value of Aikido. His first dojo in Philadelphia was located at 12th & Arch Streets, then skid row (now the home of the Pennsylvania Convention Center). It was on the 3rd floor of a creaky warehouse. The floor was covered with chunks of foam rubber, area rugs and canvas, leaving a very uneven, lumpy surface, but safe for throwing people. It was unpretentious, and bare bones but in my mind, very beautiful.

Sensei’s charismatic personality, drive and obvious skill proved to be effective in attracting students. The dojo was born. Over the years this dojo has moved to different locations, but the core group has remained the same.

To make room for the Convention Center, the dojo was moved to 7th & Chestnut Streets, again on the third floor of another creaky warehouse building. Sensei had returned to Japan in 1980, leaving the core group to run things. We moved again in 1994 to 3rd & Market Streets, again the 3rd floor of a creaky warehouse building, when I was asked to take ownership and carry on.

Another move to our current location in Wynnefield Heights was a sharp departure from the Center City dojos of the past. This new space gave us ample free parking and a whole building to occupy. We now have dressing rooms, heat, air conditioning, lots of natural light, a dense foam mat covered with a pristine, seamless, white canvas.

Maruyama Sensei continued visiting his affiliated dojos in the United States, and Australia to teach, and oversee the quality of instruction and technique. When COVID-19 stopped all Aikido activities, he stopped traveling but maintains his dojo in Nagoya Japan and welcomes visitors.

Visit us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philadelphia_aikido/