# Ablaze Hachioji > Hachioji-shi, Japan ## Overview **Name:** Ablaze Hachioji **Description:** 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. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** Sagami Bld #512, 7-9 Asahi-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, Japan Hachioji-shi, Japan **Phone:** +81 42-649-6342 **Email:** ablazehachioji@outlook.jp **Website:** https://ablazehachioji.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ablazehachioji/?hl=ja - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ablaze八王子-104781391175246/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgvwNMuvbuOnYZ0z23xI5w ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Friday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM ## Pricing ## Instructors ### Hiroto Sakuma - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Professional MMA fighter and BJJ black belt under Masakazu Imanari. Started MMA at age 31 without any martial arts background and competed in GRACHAN, DEEP, and Fighting Nexus. Known in the fighting world as 'Furyo Senpai' (Bad Boy Senior). Achieved black belt in September 2023. Notable achievements include DEEP DREAM IMPACT Saitama Super Arena appearance (2014), Fighting Nexus Bantamweight title match (2019), and Amateur Quintet 4-man submission streak victory (2018). ### Atsuya Kanbe - Purple **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ purple belt, Judo 1st dan, and professional MMA fighter. Pro record: 8 wins, 1 loss. PANCRASE Bantamweight ranking #6. Former university judo practitioner who found MMA more appealing and switched focus. Dreams of making MMA his full-time profession. ### Fumiya Tabuchi - Purple **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ purple belt who joined ABLAZE as a general member wanting to learn kickboxing but fell in love with jiu-jitsu. Achieved dream of becoming an ABLAZE instructor after 5 years. SJJIF World Championship double gold medalist (Master 2 Blue Belt, gi and no-gi). Known for understanding beginners' feelings better than anyone. ### Mao Hata - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ black belt with 24 years of experience. Believes in prioritizing enjoyment in training and continued practicing because it was fun, eventually achieving black belt without exceptional talent or competition record. ### Ryo Yamazaki - Blue **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ blue belt and amateur MMA fighter. Despite 8 years of martial arts experience, only recently began training seriously as a fighter after joining ABLAZE. Amateur record includes 20+ fights. Known for high energy and being beloved by kids and senior members. ### Ryu Segawa **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Professional kickboxer and current All Japan Kickboxing Association Super Featherweight Champion. Fight record: 21 fights, 14 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw (4 KOs). Also involved in rescue dog activities. ### Taiki Higuma - Purple **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ purple belt and professional MMA fighter. Pro record: 4 wins, 5 losses. Started martial arts with no background, purely out of love for the sport. First student of Sakuma and became ABLAZE's first male pro fighter alongside Atsuya Kanbe. ### Takahiro Yanagida - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** BJJ black belt with 23 years of experience. Member of Extreme Jiu-Jitsu Academy. ## Programs ### Kids BJJ **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for children ages 3-15, focusing on fundamental techniques, discipline, and fun. **Classes:** ### Beginner BJJ **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Beginner-friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes focusing on fundamental techniques and positions. **Classes:** ### Intermediate/Advanced BJJ **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques for experienced practitioners. **Classes:** ### No-Gi Grappling **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Grappling without the gi, similar to submission wrestling and MMA training. **Classes:** ### MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Comprehensive MMA training combining striking, grappling, and ground fighting. **Classes:** ### Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Stand-up striking training focusing on kicks, punches, and combinations. **Classes:** ### Women's Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Women-only kickboxing class in a supportive environment. **Classes:** ### Conditioning **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Strength and conditioning training to improve overall fitness and athleticism. **Classes:** --- **Last Updated:** January 26, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/japan/hachioji-shi/ablaze-hachioji)