The Kamloops Judo Club was founded in 1956 by members of the Kamloops Japanese community, with support from the Buddhist Church. Early black belt instructors Yosh Yoshida, Kaz Yokoyama, and Frank Maeda were instrumental in establishing the club, with Henry Uyeda joining shortly after.

The club initially practiced in the basement of the Kamloops Buddhist Church before moving to various locations around the city, often in challenging conditions. By the 1970s, the club sought a permanent home, leading to the construction of a dedicated Dojo on school district property. The Kamloops Judo Society was incorporated in 1973 to oversee the project, and the Dojo officially opened in May 1975, built largely by volunteers.

The “Koenkai” (parents group), formed in 1957, played a crucial role in the club’s success, fundraising for the Dojo and supporting its operations for decades. Today, the Kamloops Dojo remains one of the top Judo facilities in B.C., providing high-quality instruction in a welcoming environment.