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Carpe Diem Niigata

Carpe Diem Niigata is part of the Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu network, one of the world's most recognized BJJ teams founded by Yuki Ishikawa. Located in Niigata City within the SACO WORKOUT WELL facility, the gym opened in 2024 as a modern training space focusing on both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wellness. The facility is positioned near the Shinano River and the Sea of Japan, approximately 10 minutes from Niigata Station. As part of the Carpe Diem family, which has expanded to over 35 locations worldwide including branches in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, London, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Manila, the Niigata location upholds the organization's philosophy of "More Than Jiu-Jitsu" - viewing BJJ as a lifelong practice that enriches overall lifestyle. The gym's training philosophy emphasizes understanding one's body through proper assessment before beginning training. Operated within SACO WORKOUT WELL, a comprehensive wellness facility established in July 2024, the approach combines "science × environment × choice" to deliver personalized wellness, recovery, conditioning, and lifestyle programs. The facility features a unique integration of fitness training and a wellness café (SA CAFE), creating a "third place" where members can focus on both physical training and overall health. Classes are structured to be accessible for beginners while providing depth for advanced practitioners, with programs designed around posture, breathing, and fundamental movement patterns. The instructional team is led by Keita Sako (brown belt, 2024 Japan #1 ranking, Asia Championship bronze medalist, World Championship bronze medalist), who founded SACO WORKOUT WELL and brought his unique methodology combining BJJ with fundamental movement science. The team includes Takafumi Kawamata (black belt, All-Japan Master Champion), Daiki Yamazaki (brown belt, All-Japan Master 3rd place, Yokohama International Champion), and Misato Yamazaki (purple belt, Asia Championship bronze medalist). The facility offers programs for all ages including beginners classes, fundamentals & drilling, no-gi grappling, and comprehensive kids programs (ages 3-14) that focus on developing coordination, discipline, and BJJ fundamentals alongside character building.

CARPE DIEM BJJ Osaka brings world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the Kansai region, emphasizing the philosophy that "being strong is fun." Part of the international CARPE DIEM BJJ network headquartered in Tokyo with locations worldwide, the Osaka location opened to provide access to elite-level training for practitioners of all levels. The gym focuses on technical excellence and competitive achievement, with a proven track record of developing champions across all age groups. Led by head instructor Masahiro Iwasaki, a black belt third degree who achieved second place at the IBJJF European Championship in the highly competitive light division (76kg) in 2018 and became the highest-ranked Japanese competitor across all divisions. Born in Kobe, Iwasaki traveled to Brazil alone at age 21 to earn his black belt, becoming one of Japan's youngest black belt holders and competing at the world's top levels. He won the All Japan Championship three consecutive times (2015-2017) and was ranked #2 globally in the light division by BJJ Heroes in 2018. Known for his deep half guard technique, he released a technical instructional DVD in the United States in 2019 and has developed five world champions in the kids division during his tenure at CARPE DIEM BJJ. The coaching team includes accomplished brown belts Tatsunosuke Fushimi (All Japan No-Gi champion 2023, specializing in calf slicers), Kotaro Tamefusa (AIGA Asian Championship winner, back attacks specialist), and black belt Seiya Fukushima (2024 IBJJF Asian Champion and All Japan Champion), plus purple belt Yuka Sawai (IBJJF Asia Championship medalist, deep half specialist). The gym welcomes complete beginners, adults looking for a challenging hobby, and competitive athletes seeking to reach their highest potential. Building on the competitive training methods developed at CARPE DIEM BJJ Ashiya—which achieved second place nationally as a team in 2025—the Osaka location aims to create the strongest BJJ community in Kansai.

Carpe Diem Sendai is the first Tohoku region branch of Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of Japan's largest BJJ organizations with over 18 locations domestically and 7 internationally. The gym opened in autumn 2021 in the Itsutsubashi district of Aoba Ward, Sendai City. "Carpe Diem" is Latin for "Seize the Day," embodying the philosophy that everyone should live in the present moment through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Located just 6 minutes on foot from Itsutsubashi Station on the Sendai subway Nanboku Line in the heart of Sendai's city center, the gym offers convenient access for students, working professionals, and families. The facility features dedicated parking for 4 vehicles, making it accessible for members throughout the Miyagi prefecture. Head instructor and gym representative Kazuki Watanabe is a black belt with an impressive competition record including multiple JBJJF All-Japan Championships and IBJJF tournament victories. Originally from Fukushima, Watanabe discovered BJJ in 2010 and eventually joined the prestigious Carpe Diem headquarters in Tokyo, transitioning from professional photographer to full-time instructor and competitor before opening the Sendai branch in 2021. The coaching team includes brown belt instructors Rei Nagao, Yuto Sugawara, and Toi Sato, all accomplished competitors with national championship titles. Carpe Diem Sendai is affiliated with JBJJF (Japan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) and IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation). The facility offers separate changing rooms and showers for men and women, along with keeping locker services where staff wash and store members' gis, enabling "hands-free" training for busy professionals.

Carpe Diem Setagaya

Carpe Diem Setagaya is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, Japan. Opened in July 2022, this modern training facility is designed with a "community bathhouse" (sento) concept, emphasizing a welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere where practitioners can come to train and refresh themselves. The gym features approximately 80 square meters of mat space in a spacious, well-lit facility. Both men's and women's locker rooms are equipped with showers, toilets, and powder spaces complete with hairdryers, making it convenient for members who train in the morning before work. The facility is universally designed to accommodate wheelchair users, reflecting the gym's commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Carpe Diem Setagaya offers a comprehensive class schedule throughout the week, including morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to accommodate various lifestyles. Classes are structured for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners, with dedicated Beginner, Regular, and Kids programs. The instruction emphasizes not only technical development but also the values of respect, discipline, and courtesy that are central to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Located near Chitosefunabashi Station and Kyodo Station (both 7-8 minutes walk on the Odakyu Line), the academy is easily accessible from central Tokyo.