柔 · yawara
Learning jiu-jitsu in Minato and central Tokyo
This guide covers the academies of Aoyama, Akasaka, Roppongi, and the Kanda cluster, where much of expat Tokyo 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.
ALMA FIGHT GYM PUGNUS Kanda (パグナス神田)
Who this academy suits
A first-timer near Kanda Station who wants to test the water at zero cost: a genuinely free first lesson with every piece of gear lent
Why we say it: The own site publishes the free trial, the gear policy, and the beginner-marked schedule (verified 2026-07-17 and 2026-07-18)
Someone who wants a champion's fight gym with BJJ on the menu: an ex-Pancrase champion runs the room, one membership across three arts
Why we say it: The own site publishes the record and the free class choice (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Striking classes tooFree trialPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial lesson, once per person, with the gi and belt lent free; bring sportswear, a towel, a drink, and an inner T-shirt for the jiu-jitsu trial
- Class schedule
- A published timetable with beginner-marked classes
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Monthly plans from 12,000 to 15,600 yen, enrollment 11,000 yen, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B2F, 3-20-7 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (by Kanda Station; the building is styled 神田ビル or TC第33神田駅前ビル across sources)
- Instructors
- Representative Shintaro Ishiwatari, a long-reigning ex-Pancrase champion and RIZIN veteran by the gym's own page
ARTA BJJ Hiroo
Who this academy suits
A nervous first-timer: a free trial with free gi, unrestricted observation, a Basic class with minimal sparring, and the gym's own line that 90 percent of members started with zero experience
Why we say it: The own trial page prints the free trial terms and the 90-percent line; the class text describes the Basic class (verified 2026-07-18)
A woman starting jiu-jitsu: a women-only class where women partner together, with its own 9,900 yen tier
Why we say it: The own site describes the women-only class and publishes the tier (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone choosing by coaching depth: six published black belts under head instructor Oyanagi, on a two-mat 2026 schedule by Hiroo Station
Why we say it: The own roster lists six black belts and the site publishes the two-mat schedule (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialDrop-ins welcomeWomen's programNo-giKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- One free trial per person with free gi rental, observation welcome anytime, booked for a specific class; by the gym's own FAQ, 90 percent of members started with no martial arts experience
- Class schedule
- A published 2026 weekly schedule across two mats, with classes from beginner basic through a women-only class, no-gi, and competition
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; full time 27,500 yen a month, 8 days 22,000, students 18,150, the women's class tier 9,900, kids 14,300, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- A kids membership for ages 5 to 12
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- Qiz Hiroo Building 2F, 5-1-11 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (3 minutes from Hiroo Station exit 4)
- Instructors
- Head instructor Keito Oyanagi, black belt, leading a published staff that includes six black belts
ARTA BJJ Mita
Who this academy suits
The Tamachi or Mita office worker starting from zero: a dedicated BJJ room by the stations, a white-belt-only class, and a free trial funnel
Why we say it: The own site publishes the white-belt class, the address, and the trial funnel (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone who wants a Brazilian black belt as their first head instructor: Diego Henrique heads the room with a published multi-black-belt staff
Why we say it: The own roster names the head, the deputy, and the black-belt staff (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialKids classesNo-giPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial and observation funnel, booked through the site's trial page and form
- Class schedule
- A published class system: a gi track from a white-belt-only class up, a grappling track, and kids cells with exact times; the adult weekly grid is still headed 2025 and awaits restatement
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; full time 19,800 yen a month, 8 days 17,600, students 17,600, kids 17,600, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- Kids jiu-jitsu Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri at 17:30 and Sunday 10:00, kids grappling Wednesday, and a kids competition class Saturday
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F MA Building Mita II, 5-1-13 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo (by Mita and Tamachi stations)
- Instructors
- Head instructor Diego Henrique, black belt, with deputy head Sueru Okaizumi and a published staff of five black belts
Alliance, Tsuyoshi Kosaka's dojo (TK Jiu-Jitsu)
Who this academy suits
A beginner drawn to Japanese MMA heritage: ground training in a UFC and PRIDE veteran's dojo, a free trial by phone or email, and 45-minute blocks with free entry and exit
Why we say it: The own site publishes the record, the trial policy, and the class format (verified 2026-07-18)
The budget-minded adult: 11,000 yen a month, with a 2,500 yen day-visitor rate
Why we say it: The own Tokyo page publishes the fee table and visitor rate (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Striking classes tooFree trialDrop-ins welcomeKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Observation and a free trial, booked by phone or email with your preferred date and time (pro practice excluded)
- Class schedule
- 45-minute blocks across MMA, striking, grappling, and kids wrestling with free mid-class entry; the current published class list carries no gi jiu-jitsu class
Classes and cost
- Membership
- General membership 11,000 yen a month (enrollment 11,000); women and high schoolers 7,700, junior high 6,600, elementary and under 5,500, day visitor 2,500, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F Akasaka Andron, 8-12-12 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (8 minutes from Akasaka Station)
- Instructors
- Founder Tsuyoshi Kosaka, a UFC and PRIDE veteran by the dojo's own page, leads a staff that includes active pro fighters
Carpe Diem HQ Aoyama Dojo (カルペディエム本部 青山道場)
Who this academy suits
A total beginner nervous about fight-gym culture: a free trial with a free gi in any class, no-forced-sparring in writing, and a white-belt-only class
Why we say it: The own first-time page prints the free trial, free gi rental, the no-forced-sparring line, and the white-belt-only class (verified 2026-07-18)
A traveler or visiting practitioner: a published drop-in tariff from one day to one month, rare in Tokyo
Why we say it: The own system page publishes the visitor tariff and reservation rule (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone comparing plans on paper: full published pricing at the network's head dojo, eight minutes from Omote-sando
Why we say it: The own system page publishes every tier, and the network's own directory lists Aoyama as HQ (verified 2026-07-18)
Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialDrop-ins welcomeKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- One free trial per person, with free gi rental, in any class, booked by form or LINE; observation visits are welcome any number of times
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; 8 days a month 14,300 yen, unlimited 17,600, students 13,200, kids 13,200, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- A kids membership for ages 5 to 12
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1F, 4-26-16 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (7 to 8 minutes on foot from Omote-sando Station)
Fight Fit Akihabara (Toikatsu Dojo chain)
Who this academy suits
The budget starter: 9,000 yen a month unlimited across the chain, real gi jiu-jitsu cells with beginner and drilling slots, no-gi four times a week, and a free web-form trial
Why we say it: The own page publishes the fee and trial funnel; the own timetable carries the jiu-jitsu cells with a named coach (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialNo-giStriking classes tooPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial booked by web form; the 3,300 yen enrollment fee is waived on same-day joining
- Class schedule
- A weekly grid with gi jiu-jitsu three times a week (beginner and drilling cells included), no-gi jiu-jitsu four times, and striking classes
Classes and cost
- Membership
- 9,000 yen a month, unlimited at every chain location; a 3,300 yen enrollment fee, waived on same-day joining, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1F Mutsumi Building, 2-13-33 Kanda-Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (by Akihabara Station)
Japan Top Team (JTT)
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants striking and grappling under one Akasaka roof: five arts on one published grid, with a 4,000 yen trial in any of them
Why we say it: The own grid carries all five arts and the first-timer page publishes the trial policy (verified 2026-07-18)
A parent near Akasaka: kids classes rotate four arts through the week and the kids trial is free
Why we say it: The own kids page describes the format and the first-timer page states the free kids trial (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Striking classes tooNo-giKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A trial class at 4,000 yen, one per person (kids free), gear lent free, booked by form; jiu-jitsu trials route through the Tri-Force Akasaka reservation page
- Class schedule
- A published weekly grid with an adult jiu-jitsu class (18:45 to 20:15), kids jiu-jitsu (17:30), evening grappling including a basics slot, plus wrestling, kickboxing, and MMA
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; regular membership 22,000 yen a month across all facilities, kids 15,400, under 25 at 16,500; Tri-Force network members visit for 1,000 yen a day, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- Kids classes rotate wrestling, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and grappling through the week, with a free kids trial
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F, 3-10-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (月世界ビル building)
Master Japan Tokyo (マスタージャパン東京)
Who this academy suits
The Suidobashi or Jimbocho starter: a 1,000 yen trial with free gi rental, 30 seconds from the JR west exit
Why we say it: The own trial page publishes the policy and the site the address (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone who wants a live fight-team atmosphere with plain pricing: an active pro stable, and women and student tiers at 9,900 yen
Why we say it: The own staff page publishes the champion instructor and the price page the tiers (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Striking classes tooDrop-ins welcomePricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A trial class for 1,000 yen with free gi rental, by reservation, refunded in full on same-day enrollment
- Class schedule
- A published timetable with trial-eligible classes marked
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; general membership 13,200 yen a month, women 9,900, students under 25 at 9,900, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4F Sankyo Central Building, 3-6-13 Misakicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (30 seconds from JR Suidobashi west exit)
Phone 080-3185-2640 (reception weekdays 17:00 to 22:00, Saturday 15:00 to 19:00) Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Oga Dojo Chiyoda (大賀道場, Newaza World)
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants pedagogy, not vibes: beginner half-mat classes inside regular slots, level-adjusted instruction, and a free trial with the clearest booking etiquette in the ward
Why we say it: The own schedules page describes the half-mat beginner format and the tour page publishes the exact trial rules (verified 2026-07-18)
The policy reader: a complete fee table with a 7,700 yen women and student tier, a published cross-training tariff, and a free gi with enrollment
Why we say it: The own price page publishes every tier and the tour page the cross-training tariff (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone who wants to learn ground fighting from a researcher: Oga wrote the Newaza no Gakko series and still teaches in person
Why we say it: The own site publishes the authorship, seminars, and the attributed champion claim (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialDrop-ins welcomePricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- One free trial across the three dojos, booked by form by 20:00 the day before; observation is free during opening hours, and sportswear without metal fittings is fine if you have no gi
- Class schedule
- Published per-dojo calendars with instructor names; classes listing two instructors run a beginner class on half the mat for the first 45 minutes, and regular classes welcome beginners
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 9,900 yen with a gi and belt included; a special tier at 14,300 yen a month with a monthly 30-minute private, standard 11,000, twice-monthly 7,700, and women, students, and kids at 7,700, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4F Musashino Building, 2-15-9 Kanda-Tsukasamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Instructors
- Representative Mikio Oga teaches; by the dojo's own account the first Japanese black-belt jiu-jitsu world champion, and author of the four-volume Newaza no Gakko series
PUGNUS Akihabara (パグナス秋葉原)
Who this academy suits
An Akihabara-side starter who wants a free first lesson on new mats: opened August 2025, a free trial in any class, gi and belt lent free
Why we say it: The own site publishes the opening date, the trial policy, and the gear policy (verified 2026-07-17 and 2026-07-18)
A woman comparing on price: a women's unlimited tier at 12,000 yen, published plainly
Why we say it: The own site publishes the gender-tiered rates (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Striking classes tooFree trialPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial lesson, once per person in any class, with the gi and belt lent free
- Class schedule
- A published timetable with a named Brazilian jiu-jitsu class
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Unlimited membership 15,600 yen a month for men and 12,000 for women, with visit-count plans from 9,800, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F Chiyoda Sangi Building, 46-3 Kanda-Higashimatsushitacho, Chiyoda-ku (5 minutes from Akihabara Station)
- Instructors
- Brand representative Shintaro Ishiwatari, an ex-Pancrase champion by the gym's own pages
Phone 080-9054-2260 (shared with the Kanda room), or LINE Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Reversal Gym Tokyo Standout, Kojimachi Studio (ACCEA FITNESS co-brand)
Who this academy suits
The Kojimachi or Hanzomon office worker: gi jiu-jitsu 30 seconds from the station, first-timer framing on every class, and a 2,000 yen trial refunded on joining
Why we say it: The own studio page publishes the access, the class, the beginner framing, and the refund line (verified 2026-07-17 and 2026-07-18)
Pricing published Franchise networkStriking classes tooKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Trials anytime for 2,000 yen, refunded on joining per the studio's own page
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; a 24-hour tier at 18,700 a month, unlimited classes 14,300, 6 days 12,100, students 11,000, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- A kids class for ages 4 through elementary school
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 3F, 4-1-5 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (30 seconds from Kojimachi Station exit 2; the building is styled 志村ビル or ハヤカワ麹町ビル across the gym's own pages)
- Instructors
- Representative Masato Kataoka, an ex-MMA fighter and BJJ black belt by the gym's own page
Reversal Gym Tokyo Standout, Tamachi-Shibaura Studio
Who this academy suits
A Shibaura-side Tamachi resident who wants gi jiu-jitsu close to home: published gi and sparring classes, a 2,000 yen trial, and a membership spanning four studios
Why we say it: The gym's own pages publish the class descriptions, the trial wording, and the membership rule (verified 2026-07-18)
Pricing published Franchise networkStriking classes tooPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Trials anytime for 2,000 yen, arranged by messaging the gym with your preferred class time
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; a 24-hour tier at 18,700 a month, unlimited classes 14,300, 6 days 12,100, students 11,000, across all four studios, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1F Sejour Tamachi, 2-14-13 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo (9 minutes from Shibaura-futo Station)
- Instructors
- Representative Masato Kataoka, an ex-MMA fighter and BJJ black belt by the gym's own page, and a referee for RIZIN and QUINTET
Phone 03-3481-6521 (the gym's line for all studios) Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Shrapnel Jiu-Jitsu Academy Kanda (シュラプネル柔術アカデミー神田)
Who this academy suits
A pure-BJJ start at Kanda's door: a dedicated jiu-jitsu academy one minute from JR Kanda, with a free beginner trial booked by web form
Why we say it: The own Kanda page publishes the station access and the free trial with its booking link (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone comparing on price, especially women and students: full published rates on every tier and a dated monthly timetable
Why we say it: The own page publishes the complete fee sheet and dated monthly schedules (verified 2026-07-18)
A beginner who cares that the brand's head proved his method: a start at 29, black belt in under six years, and every title published, including two Master world championships
Why we say it: The own profile page publishes the full timeline and title list (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialDrop-ins welcomeKids classesPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial lesson aimed at first-timers, booked through the site's web form
- Class schedule
- A dated monthly timetable, with the July grid posted June 19
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen (8,800 for students, women, and kids); full time 13,200 a month (11,000 for women and students), 8 days 11,000 (8,800), kids 8,800, in Japanese yen
- Programs
- A kids membership for elementary age and under at 8,800 yen a month
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F Takato Building, 3-3-3 Kanda-Kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (1 minute from JR Kanda Station north exit)
- Instructors
- Representative Ichiro Kaneko, black belt: four JBJJF All-Japan adult black-belt titles, two IBJJF World Master titles, and a JBJJF hall of fame induction, by his own published profile
THE TOKYO JIUJITSU
Who this academy suits
A Minato office worker who wants quality without a big-gym contract: 5,500 yen a month under a fourth degree black belt, two evenings a week under Tokyo Tower
Why we say it: The own site publishes the fee, the head's degree, and the twice-weekly grid (verified 2026-07-17 and 2026-07-18)
A beginner who prefers a small-club cadence: a fixed twice-weekly evening grid and a trial from 1,100 yen booked online
Why we say it: The own site publishes the grid, the trial line, and the booking pages (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone who wants the most Tokyo mat address imaginable: the room sits inside the Tokyo Tower Media Center
Why we say it: The own site publishes the Media Center address (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Pricing publishedDrop-ins welcome
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A trial class from 1,100 yen, booked through the site's online booking pages
- Class schedule
- Jiu-jitsu classes every Monday and Thursday, 19:30 to 21:00, with a Wednesday class announced from August on the gym's own feed
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Monthly membership 5,500 yen, visitor drop-in 2,000 yen per session, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- Inside the Tokyo Tower Media Center, 4-4-7 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Instructors
- Kenzi Urabe teaches, a fourth degree black belt by the gym's own site
Tri-Force BJJ Akasaka (トライフォース赤坂)
Who this academy suits
The Akasaka or Tamaike-Sanno office worker: mats right at station exit 11, hours 10:00 to 22:30, and a free trial booked online anytime
Why we say it: The own domain publishes the exit-11 address, the hours, and the trial reservation portal (verified 2026-07-18)
A beginner who wants a syllabus: a 30-lesson, 150-technique basic curriculum open to all belts, on a freshly renewed grid
Why we say it: The own class page describes the curriculum cycle and the schedule page carries the July 13 grid (verified 2026-07-18)
Someone choosing a first coach by record: the owner teaches, a third degree black belt and 2015 All Japan Masters champion by the academy's own page
Why we say it: The own instructor page publishes the degree, the title, and the lineage (verified 2026-07-18)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialDrop-ins welcomeStructured curriculumNo-giPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Free trial and observation anytime, booked through the academy's web reservation page or LINE
- Class schedule
- A weekly timetable on the academy site, with a new grid effective July 13, 2026 and a monthly curriculum calendar
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Enrollment 11,000 yen; full time 16,500 yen a month, weekdays or 8 days 14,300, a women's tier at 14,300, under 25 at 13,200, junior and senior high 11,000, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2F, 2-12-17 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Martial Arts building, right at Tameike-Sanno Station exit 11)
- Instructors
- Owner and head instructor Shunsuke Ito, a third degree black belt by the academy's own page, 2015 All Japan Masters champion, promoted by Mitsuyoshi Hayakawa
Vos Gym Japan (Johan Vos Sports School)
Who this academy suits
Someone near Nogizaka who wants ground basics without joining a BJJ academy: a grappling class inside a storied kickboxing gym, a free trial, and 8,800 yen a month
Why we say it: The own class page publishes the class, the trial invitation, and the fee (verified 2026-07-18)
Pricing published Striking classes tooFree trialPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial and observation, booked by phone from 16:00 or through the site form
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Monthly membership 8,800 yen, in Japanese yen
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1F Eclair Nogizaka, 8-11-19 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone 03-5771-1299 (reception from 16:00) Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Wajutsu Keishukai Otemachi Dojo (和術慧舟會 大手町道場)
Who this academy suits
The Otemachi or Marunouchi office worker who has never trained: a zero-commitment free 10-minute taster on the way home, Wednesday evenings
Why we say it: The own site publishes the taster policy, the address, and the program list (verified 2026-07-18)
Striking classes too
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free 10-minute taster on Wednesdays between 17:00 and 19:00, by reservation; a taster, not a full free class
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B1, 1-1 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (都第1ビル building)
- Instructors
- Hiroharu Matsufuji teaches, with a pro MMA record by the dojo's own page; his BJJ belt is unstated
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.