Nakano Judo Academy

Nakano Judo Academy is an amazing place to learn and practice judo. I’ve been training here for about two years, and the environment is welcoming, supportive, and truly a safe space. Nakano Sensei provides excellent instruction for all ages and levels, and the community here—especially the high-level judokas—are respectful, kind, and always willing to help. This dojo has been an invaluable place for me while continuing judo in college. I highly recommend Nakano Judo Academy! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Judo here is top tier, I've trained for 10 months and my grappling capability and confidence has greatly improved. Nakano is an incredible teacher and the other Judokas here are just as helpful and knowledgeable. It's a fantastic community of hobbyists and competitors, if you train here for 3 months you will definitely feel safer on the streets, more confident in grappling and have a fun fitness journey. Nakano is a very attentive coach, during my first competition he was guiding me through my matches, fighting for me, calling out what I should do and reminding me to stay calm. He fought for me by calling out the judges on a bad call, his coaching attitude makes me feel appreciated and comfortable when competing knowing I have a coach who has my back.

We have been members for about a year for my 6 year old. Shintaro Sensei is very respectful, knowledgeable and understanding with the kids. He knows everyone by first name, firm but kind, and has a way of connecting with the kids that I haven’t seen elsewhere!

Nakano Judo Academy is an exceptional place for kids to learn judo in a supportive, welcoming environment. Sensei Shintaro is not only a highly skilled instructor but also genuinely cares about each student’s growth, both on and off the mat. He treats the kids with respect, levels with them, and encourages independence, trusting them to take on challenges they can handle. All the students are friendly, and my child, who started at 4, has grown tremendously in confidence and skill and even inspired some of her friends to join! From the very first class, my daughter felt encouraged and included. It’s been wonderful to watch her confidence, discipline, and love for judo flourish in such a fun and inclusive community. We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Nakano Judo Academy and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a place where children can learn, grow, and have fun.

Training at Nakano Judo Academy has been a truly great experience. I came from a prior MMA background and had prior concerns about culture and ego. Those concerns quickly disappeared here. Training is collaborative, respectful, and safety-focused, which makes it a comfortable place to learn and improve. Everyone looks out for each other. The high level of respect, bowing, and appreciation for one another makes learning enjoyable and stress-free, while still being challenging and rewarding. Everyone is friendly, supportive, and welcoming, creating a strong sense of community and a great collegial atmosphere. Sensei Nakano is one of the best and most accomplished instructors and judoka I’ve trained with. He teaches strong fundamentals and advanced techniques, drawing from his many years of experience and exceptional attention to detail. His teaching ability makes a huge difference in how quickly you learn and how confident you feel on the mat. He is always approachable, attentive, and genuinely cares about his students’ progress. He truly invests time in his students. I’ve made several great friends at the academy, and the social outings and community activities add even more fun to the experience. If you’re looking for a place where you can learn a lot, train safely, and enjoy a happy, supportive environment, I highly recommend Nakano Judo Academy.