Just got back from my first testing in Japan. I tested for 1-kyu in Nara prefecture. Some of my students from my JHS also tested. Some for Sho-dan, and some for 2-dan.

It was over pretty quick, but stayed the whole day to watch all the testing up to 4-dan, and all the kata. Good experience. Now I know what to expect in the future. Had a good talk with one of the 8-dan sensei I sometimes train with. This is when I wish my Japanese was much better. I understand enough to know what he's talking about, but I know I am missing alot of the small details. I was also the only foreigner there, so I drew a lot of attention. Lot's of giggling girls as I walk by them. I was kinda relieved not being the only adult testing for 1-kyu though. There were 2 others. All the rest were Elementary, JHS, and high school kids. Out of the 58 that tested, about 15 didn't pass.

Well, that's it. Just wanted to share my experience.