A part of the Berkeley and Albany community for 60 years, Hanabi Judo offers classes for all. Our goal is to become a healthy and fun part of your life.
Judo, meaning “The Gentle Way,” is a very effective means of self-defense while being a safe, non-violent way of controlling an opponent. Judo emphasizes throwing techniques and ground-work but also features chokes and arm-locks. Judo is an Olympic event and the world’s second most popular sport (behind soccer). Hanabi means "Fireworks" in Japanese and its energy, brightness and excitement truly e
07/22/2026
Special Visitor: Tomohiro Ishikawa
Hanabi was lucky to have Tomohiro Ishikawa Sensei visit us this past week from Japan. While Japan is the home of many, many elite judo players only a selected few go on to become professionals. Ishikawa Sensei is a member of Toyota’s professional judo team, one of the strongest in Japan. Ishikawa taught us his own style of Osoto Gari, his “tokui waza,” or favorite technique. Thank you for visiting Hanabi!
07/21/2026
July In-Class Shiai
On July 25 we will be hosting our monthly in-class “Shiai” or tournament. Our little Chibi and Hajime students will be competing in Sumo at 9:55 while our bigger, Honto students, will be taking part in a real judo team tournament at 11:00. Please come and enjoy the competition and the energy!
Sana Sensei doing “Ukemi”, or break falls. with the Hajime students. 🥋🎇
07/18/2026
A big Hanabi welcome to Tomohiro Ishikawa from Japan! 🇯🇵
Ishikawa Sensei is a professional judo player who fights on the Toyota sponsored judo team.
Thank you for visiting us and sharing your judo spirit! 🥋🎇
07/17/2026
Hanabi’s Pokemon Camp students enjoy playing with their Pokemon cards. 🥋🎇
07/16/2026
Hanabi students warm up prior to the Summer Nationals in San Francisco this past weekend. 🥋🎇
Luca performs a beautiful Tani-Otoshi counter at the Summer Nationals in San Francisco this past weekend. 🥋🎇
Bitore gets a beautiful Osoto Gari at the Summer Nationals in San Francisco this past weekend. 🎇🥋
07/13/2026
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2026 USJF Summer National Championships! 🎇🥋
07/11/2026
🎋Tanabata at Hanabi Summer Camp! 🎋
Our kids celebrated Tanabata, one of Japan’s traditional festivals, by writing their wishes on colorful paper strips.
What did they wish for? That’s our little secret! 🙊
Maybe you’ll find out if you visit Hanabi! ✨
What is Tanabata?
Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival based on the legend of two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are allowed to meet only once a year across the Milky Way. People celebrate by writing their wishes on colorful paper strips and hanging them on bamboo branches, hoping their dreams will come true.
| Monday | 4:30pm - 8pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30pm - 8pm |
| Thursday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |
| Friday | 5:10pm - 8pm |
| Saturday | 8:15am - 2:30pm |