Way of Yawara

柔 · yawara

Learning jiu-jitsu in central Seoul and Itaewon

This guide covers the academies of the city center: Jongno, Jung-gu, Yongsan, and Itaewon, where much of expat Seoul trains. For someone just starting, the real question is not "which academy is best" but "which one fits me." This guide exists to answer that question.

Map

Only academies with verified information appear on the map. Grey pins mark verified addresses for academies still being confirmed.

Flow Jiu-Jitsu

Flow Jiu-Jitsu

Who this academy suits

The Jongno office worker training before work or at lunch: a 6:50 AM class and an 11:40 lunch class run every weekday

Why we say it: The own timetable page publishes the 6:50 AM and 11:40 lunch classes, Mon-Fri (captured 2026-07-16)

A beginner who wants a dedicated basics class and published cost: the evening beginner slot runs weekdays 6:30 PM, with full pricing on the site from 160,000 won a month

Why we say it: The own site publishes the weekday beginner slot and the complete pricing page (captured 2026-07-16)

Someone who wants a newly promoted black-belt owner: the academy's own blog documents Park's 2026 black-belt promotion

Why we say it: The own blog's 2026-05-14 post documents the promotion; the own site lists both representatives (read 2026-07-16)

Schedule verified Pricing published Early morning classesDaytime classesNo-giPricing published

Your first visit

Class schedule
Weekdays run a 6:50-8:00 AM class, an 11:40-1:00 lunch class, an evening beginner class 6:30-7:30, an evening general no-gi class 7:30-9:00, then open mat

Classes and cost

Membership
From 160,000 won a month for 8 classes or 180,000 won unlimited, with 3- and 6-month package discounts and a free gi on 3-month-plus registration
Programs
Both gi and no-gi; the evening general class is the no-gi slot

Location, instructors, contact

Address
4F, 22 Jong-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gwancheol-dong)
Instructors
The own site lists two representatives, Kim Hyun-hee and Park Ji-seok; the academy's blog shows Park leading classes and promotion ceremonies
Belt
Park was promoted to black belt at the academy's 2026 first-half ceremony, per the academy's own blog

Phone 010-5349-0471 Website Naver Map Apple Maps

Compiled from the academy's public materials; we have not yet visited in person. Last checked: 2026-07-16. Spot something wrong? Tell us. We review every correction and log the change.

Academies being verified

We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.

  • Body & Seoul Martial Arts and Fitness Center · Official site
    Drop-ins welcomeNo-giPricing published
    010-6397-2662 · Multi-discipline studio; BJJ runs in both gi and no-gi, with kids classes · No free trial; a paid drop-in costs ₩17,000. Register online for a first class · Drop-in ₩17,000 · 5 classes ₩80,000 · 10 classes ₩150,000 (3-month validity)
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gwanghwamun · Official site
    Franchise networkFree trialNaver bookingWomen's programKids classesDaytime classesStructured curriculum
    010-3397-4413 · A 10-day free trial with a free gi, booked through the academy's Naver booking page
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • Innate Jiu-Jitsu HQ, Sindang · Official site
    3F, Hwanghak-dong 821, Jung-gu, Seoul · 010-2720-3457 · Park Jae-hyun teaches; he started at John Frankl Gwanak in 2008 and opened the room in 2017, per the academy's own introduction
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Namsan · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Yaksu · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • Rush Clan Jiu-Jitsu, Chungmuro · Official site
    3F-4F, 10 Seoae-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul · 070-7779-8829 · Jung Sung-jun teaches
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • Urban Jiu-Jitsu Hyehwa, Daehangno · Official site
    3F, 20 Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul · 010-6622-5591 · Ha Yun-seo teaches directly; the academy's own profile presents him as a national-team alum and 2023 Asian Championship bronze medalist
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • WOOS Jiu-Jitsu Yongsan · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-16

I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?

It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.