Bohemians

Bohemians is a specialized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy located in Kokura, Kitakyushu. The name "Bohemians" means free people and travelers, reflecting the diverse community of members from various professions, ethnicities, and genders who train together. The gym is led by head instructor Kouhei Ebashi, a black belt competitor with an impressive record including 2nd place at the Asian Championship, 4 national championships, and ranked #1 in Japan twice in his career. Despite retiring from competition in 2018, Ebashi returned at age 37 in 2021 to compete at the All-Japan No-Gi Championship, earning 3rd place against competitors in their 20s.

Bohemians emphasizes technique over strength, making it accessible for practitioners of all ages and fitness levels. The gym maintains a clean, cafe-like atmosphere rather than the typical hardcore martial arts gym environment, with friendly members and a welcoming culture. The academy is affiliated with JBJJF (Japan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation), the largest BJJ organization in Japan, and awards belts according to IBJJF standards.

The gym welcomes visitors from across Japan and internationally, having hosted over 400 drop-in students from 30 prefectures and 80 different gyms nationwide, as well as practitioners from the US, Australia, and Europe. Bohemians regularly hosts seminars from top instructors across Japan and focuses on making BJJ accessible, fun, and technical for everyone from beginners to competitors.