BJJ Gyms in Hachioji-shi, Japan

Ablaze Hachioji

ABLAZE Hachioji is a beginner-focused martial arts gym located just 2 minutes walk from Hachioji Station North Exit in Tokyo. Founded by head instructor Hiroto Sakuma (known as "Furyo Senpai" or "Bad Boy Senior"), the gym operates under the unique concept of being a "beginner-only gym" where experienced practitioners can only participate in intermediate and advanced classes, ensuring that beginners feel comfortable and supported in their martial arts journey. The gym opened its doors in May and has since built a reputation for creating a welcoming environment for people of all ages (from 3 to 60+) and fitness levels. ABLAZE Hachioji's training philosophy centers on making martial arts accessible to everyone, regardless of background or athletic experience. The gym offers a comprehensive range of programs including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, kickboxing, and no-gi grappling, with specialized classes for kids, women, and different skill levels. The facility features spacious mat areas, professional training equipment including genuine leather heavy bags, separate male and female changing rooms and showers, and maintains high hygiene standards with commercial-grade air purifiers that remove 99.4% of viruses. The gym has also pioneered a "Medical Support" system in partnership with local medical facilities, where members' treatment costs for training-related injuries are covered by the gym. Head instructor Hiroto Sakuma is a BJJ black belt under Masakazu Imanari who began his MMA career at age 31 without any martial arts background and went on to compete professionally in major promotions including GRACHAN, DEEP, and Fighting Nexus. Other notable instructors include Mao Hata (24 years BJJ experience, black belt), Takahiro Yanagida (23 years BJJ experience, black belt), Ryu Segawa (current All Japan Kickboxing Association Super Featherweight Champion), and several promising young fighters including Taiki Higuma and Atsuya Kanbe who train and compete in MMA while teaching classes. The gym's team has achieved significant competition success in both BJJ and MMA, with Sakuma receiving his black belt in September 2023 and several students winning regional and national tournaments.