Learn to dance in Tokyo, even with zero experience
A friendly beginner social dance (社交ダンス) class every Thursday evening in Shinjuku, taught in English and Japanese by competitive ballroom dancer Honatsu. Come alone; partners rotate, so you’ll dance with everyone.
📅 See the next class & RSVP👟 What your first class is likeQuick answer: TIFE’s beginner social dance class runs every Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at Shinoda Sports Dance Club in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It costs ¥2,500 per class, you don’t need a partner or any experience, and it is taught in English and Japanese by Honatsu, a professional ballroom dancer who competes internationally. RSVP on Meetup.
Always wanted to dance but never knew where to start? This is TIFE’s weekly beginner class for exactly that. Nobody expects you to know anything: you learn the basics from scratch, dance with rotating partners, and leave with a new hobby and a few new friends. Here’s what the class involves, what it costs, and how to book.
What is social dance (社交ダンス)?
Social dance (社交ダンス, shakō dansu) is ballroom-style partner dancing. One person leads, the other follows, and you improvise using a set of standard steps called figures. Learn a handful of figures and you can dance with almost anyone, at a party, a wedding or a dance hall.
- It’s a new hobby you can keep for life: ballroom dancing is popular with adults of all ages, in Japan and in Europe
- It’s exercise that doesn’t feel like a workout: posture, balance and coordination improve as you go
- It’s social by design: rotating partners means you meet everyone in the room
What your first class is like
- Arrive a few minutes early. The studio is on the 2nd floor of the Fujikawa Building, 2-7-1 Shinjuku (Google Maps). Say hi to the TIFE host and tell them it’s your first time.
- Warm up and learn the basic rhythm. Honatsu starts from zero: posture, counting the music and the first simple steps.
- Learn a few figures. Short step patterns, taught slowly in English and Japanese with lots of demonstration.
- Practise with rotating partners. Everyone changes partners, so you get to dance with many people. It’s the easiest way to make friends at the class.
- Dance to music. Put the figures together. Most beginners are surprised how much they can do after one class.
Your instructor: Honatsu
Honatsu Kodutsumi (小堤帆夏)
Professional ballroom dancer · LIBERA DANCE · Teaches in English & Japanese
Honatsu competes internationally in both Standard (waltz, tango, foxtrot) and Latin (cha-cha, rumba, samba), and trains in Italy several times a year. She studied at university in New Zealand, so the class runs comfortably in English as well as Japanese.
The best part for beginners: she only started ballroom dancing as a working adult, then turned professional. She remembers what your first class feels like.
- 2nd place, Adult Open Standard and Adult Open Latin, Open Japanese Championships, Tokyo (2026)
- 1st place, A2 Standard, Star Championships and Italian Open FEINDA (2025)
- 4th place in Standard and Latin, DSHJ All Japan Championships (2025)
- Represented Japan at the World Championships, Rising Star Standard, Schladming, Austria (2025)
Results are as a competition couple with her dance partner. Source: Find-FC athlete profile · @honatsu_dancesport
The class is organised by TIFE (Tokyo International Friends & Events), a Tokyo community that has run social events for internationals and Japanese locals since 2015.
Next class and how to RSVP
Classes are listed on Meetup every week. Pick a date below, RSVP (free), then pay ¥2,500 for the class. Spots can fill up, so RSVP early. Upcoming dates:
Social dance or Bachata: which class should you try?
| Social Dance (this class) | Bachata | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Ballroom-style partner dance (社交ダンス) with lead & follow and set figures | Relaxed Latin partner dance from the Dominican Republic |
| Feel | Structured, elegant, great for posture | Flowing and easy to start, popular at Latin nights |
| Where | Shinjuku (Shinoda Sports Dance Club) | Near Akihabara / Ueno |
| Price | ¥2,500 | ¥2,500 |
| Partner needed? | No, partners rotate | No, partners rotate |
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Every weekly TIFE class for beginners in Tokyo.
Browse all →Social dance class FAQ
Do I need a partner to join the social dance class?
I’ve never danced before. Is this class really for beginners?
What is social dance (社交ダンス)?
When and where is the class?
Who teaches the class?
How much does it cost?
Do I need to speak Japanese?
What should I wear and bring?
Is insurance included?
Should I try social dance or the Bachata class?
Your new hobby starts this Thursday
No partner, no experience, no long-term commitment. RSVP on Meetup, bring a towel and comfortable clothes, and come dance with us in Shinjuku.
📅 RSVP for the next classNew to TIFE? Start here