Suginami Aikikai San Francisco, California started as "Skidrow Dojo" in the back of a photo studio on Sixth Street in San Francisco February 1986.

A group of artists asked James Friedman to teach them self-defense shortly after the violent murder of a loved one. Classes began in the shadow of tragedy, and Aikido in a small way helped heal the suffering these people were going through. Beginning as a club for that group of around ten friends, the dojo soon outgrew the Sixth Street studio... - sfaikido.com

Thank you for coming to the Suginami Aikikai San Francisco web site. We hope this site will be a good resource for learning more about Aikido. Most importantly we hope it inspires you to visit us and try Aikido. Polish your spirit, get in great shape while learning practical self-defense. In San Francisco, California there is no better place to begin martial arts training. We have classes 7 days a week as well as BJJ & Thai Kick boxing please come and visit us!