EuroTrip Debrief: Lessons from the Netherlands and Germany | The Shintaro Higashi Show
In this episode of The Shintaro Higashi Show, Shintaro sits down with Peter Yu to unpack his nine-day European seminar tour across the Netherlands and Germany. With seven gyms in seven cities, the trip was packed with lessons—on and off the mat.
Behind the Scenes: Organizing an International Tour
What began as a hopeful experiment in logistics and delegation turned into a whirlwind journey across Holland and parts of Germany. With the help of a local Dutch organizer, Shintaro visited judo and MMA academies in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Tilburg, Assen, Dörf, and more. Despite initial hiccups—such as inconvenient hotel locations and surprise travel expectations—everything ultimately worked out. “It was a huge learning experience,” Shintaro admits. “But man, organizing one of these things properly is no joke.”
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Judo Should Be Free? A Cultural Difference
One of the most eye-opening aspects of the tour was the difference in how European countries—especially the Netherlands—structure their judo ecosystems. In Holland, there are over 650 registered dojos in a country the size of Maryland. Most adults have practiced judo at least once in their lives.
But with that scale comes a different mentality: judo, in many circles, is viewed as a public good. Classes are often volunteer-led, and monthly fees are incredibly low compared to the U.S. “They think judo should be free,” Shintaro says. “But that means the top athletes and instructors often don’t get paid what they’re worth. That part was tough for me to swallow.”
Technical Feedback: Big, Strong, But Lacking Nuance
From a technical standpoint, Shintaro noticed consistent trends in the European style. “They’re big, strong, athletic—but the nuance is missing. That’s where someone like me can make a real difference.” Despite being surprised by his height (“You’re shorter than we thought!” was a common greeting), every seminar ended with high praise and invitations to return.
Interestingly, there’s a limited seminar culture in the region. Even top-level competitors rarely teach seminars at local gyms. That lack of access to technical instruction makes visiting clinicians like Shintaro a huge hit with both recreational and competitive judokas.
Judo vs. BJJ in Europe
Another unexpected takeaway: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is growing, but it’s still a distant second to judo in terms of participation—especially in the Netherlands. BJJ athletes expressed some hesitation around judo, citing concerns about injury and roughness, echoing sentiments often heard in the U.S. a decade ago. However, Shintaro believes this will change. “There’s a lot of opportunity for cross-pollination. It’s an emerging market.”
Whether you’re a dojo owner, judo fan, or prospective seminar host, this episode provides real insight into the state of judo abroad and the opportunities that exist when cultures and systems collide.
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