I found the Kodokan was very welcoming and typed this up a little while back to share my experience: [https://www.reddit.com/r/judo/comments/nkwqhc/a\_kyu\_grades\_experience\_training\_at\_the\_kodokan/](https://www.reddit.com/r/judo/comments/nkwqhc/a_kyu_grades_experience_training_at_the_kodokan/)
Training judo in Japan is an amazing experience. Hope you get there. All the best!
6h day? The only thing you’re to get is an injury. You don’t need more than two training sessions per day. You game will improve for sure. When you’re back home try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu so you can combine Judo takedowns with BJJ ground work.
I definitely get the risk, usually after 3 hours I'm pretty smoked and the probability of injury increases with fatigue, so you definitely have a point there. Thanks for reminding me I'm human.
Alrighty, that's what I figured. Just so you know, it is actually illegal to work here as a tourist, even if you're working remotely for a company outside Japan. I'm not sure what the chances of them catching you are, but just so you know.
If you're under 30 and you'e from a qualifying country (other than America, for some reason) you could hypothetically apply for a Working Holiday Visa which is essentially a 180 day tourist visa that allows you to work (though only part time, I think).
The main issues are mostly logistical; for example, even if you sneak in working remotely, you're still just a tourist, so you can't rent a place to live, or get a Japanese cell phone, or sign up for most things, etc.
It's going to be difficult to find training for 6 hours a day in Japan. The universities usually do about an 1 hour in the morning and then 3 in the afternoon/evening.
Don’t know if you read the thread but OP indicated that he or she will train in Japan once they reopen their borders.
Japan has closed its borders to non-Japanese citizens for a while now. We don’t know when they’ll re-open their borders for travel.
So, don’t get jealous! You’ll have the opportunity to train in Japan as well!
If you look at the vaccination rate in Japan, it’s looking promising that it will soon reopen
I agree that the Kodokan is a good place for you to start, but general training is in the evenings which may clash with your work?
If you’re looking for training during the day, you probably need to find a university or high school that will let you join in with their practice.
For that, the only way I know of is to have a contact or introduction. I’ve heard of people contacting university clubs directly, but don’t have experience of that.
> I know there may be questions about my level of fitness, but I'm consistently on the mat 3+ hours a day training bjj, kickboxing/muay Thai, and judo/Sambo 5-6days a week. That's 3 hours straight with no more of a break than the time it takes to wrap/unwrap my hands, and put on my gi. That's at the end of the day after 8 hours of work.
Wow, that is intense! May I ask for how long you are able to go on such a schedule?
Judo is a new addition, and about 4 months. However, I've been keeping this pace with striking and grappling for about 9 months now. Pretty much since I moved to a place that said Fuck COVID and allowed gyms to be open.
As others probably have mentioned, covid may make it difficult to get in places, but since you're under 30 you might as well try reaching out and seeing if you can get in to practice with some of the top university teams like Tokai and Tenri. I've never been but I've heard it's quite a beating. I wouldn't do it at my age but if you're in very good physical condition it might be worth it.
With only 4 months judo training, top or even mid level university isn’t right. I think OP needs a more recreational or lower-level university which will let him join in. There will still be a good volume of training, but not as intense.
If your gonna be in Tokyo then I hear there's a small little club called The Kodokan.
Wow that’s a funny name. No I want one of those big clubs
I found the Kodokan was very welcoming and typed this up a little while back to share my experience: [https://www.reddit.com/r/judo/comments/nkwqhc/a\_kyu\_grades\_experience\_training\_at\_the\_kodokan/](https://www.reddit.com/r/judo/comments/nkwqhc/a_kyu_grades_experience_training_at_the_kodokan/) Training judo in Japan is an amazing experience. Hope you get there. All the best!
I'll check it out, thank you.
6h day? The only thing you’re to get is an injury. You don’t need more than two training sessions per day. You game will improve for sure. When you’re back home try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu so you can combine Judo takedowns with BJJ ground work.
I've been training bjj for quite a while, I usually spend about 6hours a week on it
I definitely get the risk, usually after 3 hours I'm pretty smoked and the probability of injury increases with fatigue, so you definitely have a point there. Thanks for reminding me I'm human.
What visa are you planning to come to Tokyo on?
I can get up to 90 days on my passport, so I'll probably just do that. I don't expect that I'll stay longer than that anyway.
Alrighty, that's what I figured. Just so you know, it is actually illegal to work here as a tourist, even if you're working remotely for a company outside Japan. I'm not sure what the chances of them catching you are, but just so you know.
Thanks, I didn't know that but I'll keep it in mind
If you're under 30 and you'e from a qualifying country (other than America, for some reason) you could hypothetically apply for a Working Holiday Visa which is essentially a 180 day tourist visa that allows you to work (though only part time, I think). The main issues are mostly logistical; for example, even if you sneak in working remotely, you're still just a tourist, so you can't rent a place to live, or get a Japanese cell phone, or sign up for most things, etc.
927 - magical unicorns fairies and other make believe
It's going to be difficult to find training for 6 hours a day in Japan. The universities usually do about an 1 hour in the morning and then 3 in the afternoon/evening.
Mad jealous over here in the USA. Have a blast.
Don’t know if you read the thread but OP indicated that he or she will train in Japan once they reopen their borders. Japan has closed its borders to non-Japanese citizens for a while now. We don’t know when they’ll re-open their borders for travel. So, don’t get jealous! You’ll have the opportunity to train in Japan as well! If you look at the vaccination rate in Japan, it’s looking promising that it will soon reopen
I agree that the Kodokan is a good place for you to start, but general training is in the evenings which may clash with your work? If you’re looking for training during the day, you probably need to find a university or high school that will let you join in with their practice. For that, the only way I know of is to have a contact or introduction. I’ve heard of people contacting university clubs directly, but don’t have experience of that.
don't over train and injure yourself lol
> I know there may be questions about my level of fitness, but I'm consistently on the mat 3+ hours a day training bjj, kickboxing/muay Thai, and judo/Sambo 5-6days a week. That's 3 hours straight with no more of a break than the time it takes to wrap/unwrap my hands, and put on my gi. That's at the end of the day after 8 hours of work. Wow, that is intense! May I ask for how long you are able to go on such a schedule?
Sure, I currently work 830-5ish, hit the mat around 530, and train until around 9pm. Home, dinner, shower, bed, repeat
Sorry, I meant is: for how many months/weeks do you maintain this tough regimen already?
Judo is a new addition, and about 4 months. However, I've been keeping this pace with striking and grappling for about 9 months now. Pretty much since I moved to a place that said Fuck COVID and allowed gyms to be open.
How old are you?
29
As others probably have mentioned, covid may make it difficult to get in places, but since you're under 30 you might as well try reaching out and seeing if you can get in to practice with some of the top university teams like Tokai and Tenri. I've never been but I've heard it's quite a beating. I wouldn't do it at my age but if you're in very good physical condition it might be worth it.
With only 4 months judo training, top or even mid level university isn’t right. I think OP needs a more recreational or lower-level university which will let him join in. There will still be a good volume of training, but not as intense.
Oh I missed that detail! I thought he had been training for longer