The Monthly dojo drop: Imanari Jiu Jitsu
Location
-160-0006 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Funamachi, 8−4 YKB舟町 B1
-Train station and bus stop near by
Lead By
Masakazu Imanari- Ashikan Judan, the greatest pioneer of leg locks in MMA
Cage Rage
World Featherweight Championship
DEEP
DEEP Bantamweight Championship
DEEP Featherweight Championship
DREAM
2011 Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix runner-up
2011 World Bantamweight Grand Prix semifinalist
Class Attended
Friday No Gi - 6:30-7:30am
Vibe
A very welcoming and open team who get multiple visitors from around the world every week. The training is very fun and at a pace that any level of grappler can enjoy while also having the chance to meet and train with world class grapplers.
Facilities
Clean, well‑maintained facility with showers, locker rooms, and dedicated changing areas for men and women.
good sized mat space that comfortably supports multiple matches at once.
Visitor Notes
Drop‑in fee is 5,000 yen.
Their website specifically says that you do not need to reach out before dropping in.
Staff speaks both Japanese and English.
Training Style
Technical instruction with plenty of time to drill and apply techniques in live scenarios.
Good situational sparring from various positions.
Coaches are hands‑on, attentive, and quick to clarify details when needed.
Sparring intensity is self‑paced, staying competitive but always safe and respectful.
Good For
Grapplers of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a home gym or just dropping in to make new friends, this location is highly recommended especially if you want to meet and learn from a leg lock legend.
My Experience
I personally have been following Imanari since around 2009 and have watched his MMA and BJJ careers closely. So, to have the opportunity to train with his team and learn from him was an absolute must for me. The training and sparing were very fun and everyone was very friendly and made their rolls appropriately competitive for who they were sparing with. Imanari himself even made it a point to meet with all of the visitors and give many of us an opportunity to roll with him for a round. They also sell their own rash guards and shorts at the dojo if you want an awesome souvenir to bring home. I highly recommend stopping in here if you are in Tokyo and from now on, I will be doing so every time I am in Tokyo.
If you want to see more from my time at Imanari’s and in Shibuya, check out my YouTube video below!
