Japan Kendama Guide 2025
A wooden handle, a lacquered ball, and a length of cotton string — kendama has captivated Japanese children and adults for over a century, and today it fuels a global competitive scene spanning 30 countries. Whether you want to understand its 400-year history, pick up the first trick in an Ueno toy shop, or find a championship-grade model to bring home, this guide covers everything.
Stay in Tokyo for Kendama Culture
Tokyo's Ueno and Asakusa districts are home to the best traditional toy shops in Japan, stocking JKA-certified kendama alongside koma, medama, and other classic Japanese skill toys.
What Is Kendama?
Kendama (けん玉) is a traditional Japanese wooden toy consisting of three parts: the ken (剣, spike/handle), the tama (玉, ball), and a string connecting them. The ken has three cups — two side cups (ozara and kozara) of different sizes and one bottom cup (chuzara) — as well as a pointed spike. The ball has a small hole drilled through its center. The object is to swing the ball and catch it in a cup or on the spike through an ever-expanding repertoire of tricks.
Kendama Parts
A standard competition kendama weighs approximately 180g and is sized to JKA (Japan Kendama Association) specifications. The ball measures roughly 65mm in diameter, and the overall toy is about 17cm tall. These dimensions are precisely regulated for official competition use.
History of Kendama
Kendama's origins are debated among historians, but the toy appears to derive from the French bilboquet — a similar cup-and-ball game that spread through Europe in the 16th century and likely arrived in Japan through Portuguese and Dutch trade contacts in the late Edo period. Early Japanese versions appear in artwork from the 1700s, though the standardized modern form emerged in the early 20th century.
The Japan Kendama Association (JKA) was founded in 1975 in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture — a city that remains closely associated with kendama manufacturing. The JKA standardized the toy's dimensions, established a grading system (10-kyu to 1-kyu, then dan levels), and created the official trick list that defines competitive kendama to this day.
The Modern Revival
After declining through the 1990s, kendama experienced a dramatic global revival beginning around 2010, driven by YouTube trick videos, social media, and the skateboarding community's adoption of kendama as an off-board skill activity. Today the global kendama community spans dozens of countries, with the World Kendama Championships drawing competitors from Europe, North America, and Asia to Japan each year.
Basic Tricks to Know
The JKA official trick list contains over 100 recognized techniques, graded from beginner to master. The following tricks form the foundation for anyone learning kendama — mastering these will take you from complete beginner to a solid intermediate player within a few weeks of consistent practice.
Ozara (Big Cup) — Level 10 Kyu
The first trick: swing the ball upward and catch it on the large (big) cup. The wide, flat surface makes this the most forgiving catch. Focus on a smooth swing and keeping your eye on the ball's hole — the hole should face the cup at the moment of contact.
Kosara (Small Cup) — Level 9 Kyu
The same motion as ozara, but catching on the smaller side cup. Requires a flatter swing angle and more precise eye-hand coordination. Most beginners achieve this within their first hour of practice.
Moshikame — Level 6 Kyu
Alternating repeatedly between the big cup and the base cup in a continuous rhythm. “Moshikame” (“maybe turtle?”) is named after a folk song traditionally sung while performing it. Competitive players execute 100+ consecutive catches. This trick builds the rhythmic pendulum control essential for advanced play.
Ken (Spike) — Level 4 Kyu
Toss the ball upward, flip the ken, and catch the ball's hole on the spike. The fundamental “ken” catch is the toy's namesake trick and the gateway to advanced play. Requires precise control of the ball's rotation to ensure the hole faces downward at the peak of the toss.
The Competitive Kendama Scene
Kendama competition has grown from a domestic Japanese hobby into a global sport. The Japan Kendama Open and World Kendama Championships draw elite players from across the world, with judging based on trick difficulty, execution, and creative freestyle performances set to music.
The competitive landscape splits broadly into two formats: speed/accuracy events(how quickly can you land the 10 official JKA tricks in succession?) and freestyle battles(60-second or 3-minute performances judged on creativity, difficulty, and style). Freestyle has driven most of the sport's recent growth, as players incorporate skateboarding-style trick naming, video parts, and signature moves.
Major Kendama Events
Where to Buy Kendama in Tokyo
Kendama ranges from ¥1,000 souvenir-grade toys to ¥15,000+ professional competition kendama crafted from premium woods. For travelers, a mid-range kendama from a reputable brand makes an excellent souvenir — lightweight, culturally meaningful, and endlessly entertaining.
Tokyo Toy Museum (Gamagori / Yotsuya)
Best SelectionFeatures a dedicated traditional toys section with multiple kendama brands. Staff can advise on appropriate levels. Located near Yotsuya Station.
Yamashiroya Toy Store — Ueno
A 7-floor toy department store in Ueno with a traditional Japanese toys section. Stocks JKA-certified kendama from major brands including Mugen Musou, TK16, and Grain Theory. Open daily; 5-minute walk from Ueno Station.
Online: Kendama USA / Sweets Kendamas
For premium competition-grade kendama, international brands such as Kendama USA (American-designed, often Japanese-manufactured) and Sweets Kendamas offer international shipping. For Japanese brands at source, search for Ozora, SunRise, and Ace brands on domestic Japanese toy retailers.
When choosing a first kendama, look for a JKA-certified model (often marked 日本けん玉協会認定) in beech or maple with a standard lacquer finish. Avoid heavily painted or novelty versions for actual play — the surface texture matters significantly for trick execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest kendama trick for beginners?▼
Is kendama difficult to learn?▼
What is the best kendama brand to buy as a souvenir?▼
Book Your Tokyo Hotel
Stay in Tokyo to explore Ueno's toy shops, Asakusa's traditional crafts, and Akihabara's specialty hobby stores — all within easy train distance of each other.