BJJ Gyms in 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.

Akatsuki

Akatsuki Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team is a welcoming BJJ academy based in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, Japan. The gym is affiliated with the Japan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (JBJJF) and provides a supportive environment for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to experienced grapplers. The team trains at public facilities in Toyonaka City (Osaka Prefecture) and Kawanishi City (Hyogo Prefecture), offering a flexible and accessible training environment. Akatsuki emphasizes building a fun and supportive community where members can learn at their own pace while developing their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. Led by instructor Seiichi Murao, Akatsuki BJJ Team maintains an active training schedule with regular classes every Saturday evening. The gym's philosophy focuses on creating an enjoyable learning environment where taking the first step in BJJ can lead to meaningful life changes. With over 228 training sessions documented and a history of competition participation, the team demonstrates a strong commitment to both recreational training and competitive development.

Carpe Diem Kawasaki

Carpe Diem Kawasaki is part of Japan's largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu network, with 37 domestic locations and 11 international branches. "Carpe Diem" means "Seize the Day" in Latin, reflecting the gym's philosophy of living fully in the present moment through the practice of BJJ. The gym is conveniently located just 6 minutes on foot from JR/Keikyu Kawasaki Station, making it easily accessible for training after work. The gym offers a safe and clean training environment with experienced instructors who provide careful guidance to practitioners of all levels, from complete beginners to competitive athletes. Carpe Diem Kawasaki emphasizes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities, as technique and strategy are more important than strength or speed. The facility features quality mats, separate changing rooms with showers for men and women, and amenities including hair dryers and toiletries in the women's changing room. Training at Carpe Diem Kawasaki is led by three accomplished instructors: Main Instructor Kazuharu Tsuchida (black belt, 10 years experience, multiple All-Japan and Asian Championship titles including 2025 IBJJF Masters International Championship), Koji Imanari (black belt, 20 years experience, trained in Brazil, fluent in English), and Riku Inoue (brown belt, 12 years experience combining BJJ, judo, and wrestling, 2024 SJJIF World Championship winner). The gym offers multiple class types including Basic (fundamentals for beginners), Regular (advanced techniques for experienced practitioners), No-Gi (submission grappling without the gi), and Private Lessons for personalized instruction.