Welcome to Budokan Judo Dojo
Budokan Judo Dojo has been a part of Seattle judo for over 50 years through serious instruction, strong tradition, and a commitment to excellence on and off the mat. We’re a nonprofit club where beginners, competitors, and lifelong judoka train together in a focused, respectful environment.
Students build real skill here through consistent training, high standards, and a strong dojo community. Our certified instructors are deeply committed to teaching judo the right way.
Budokan is affiliated with the Northwest Yudanshakai, the United States Judo Federation, and USA Judo. We regularly host seminars and clinics with respected guest instructors from across the country and abroad. Our athletes compete at every level, from local tournaments to international events.
Whether you’re new to the mat or looking for a serious dojo to continue your journey, you’re welcome here.
Japanese Olympian Misato Nakamura visiting Budokan Dojo
Budokan is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization that provides high quality instruction for all skill levels for all of our students
We are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please refer to our class schedule page for more information
Budokan Dojo has instructors from all over the world from various backgrounds
Signup Today! WASHINGTON OPEN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIP
https://americanjudo.smoothcomp.com/en/event/29683
Saturday, May 30th, 2026
#judo #ippon #washingtonjudoacademy #tournament #americanjudo
PNW Martial Arts & Seattle Sports community, it’s time to rally for one of our own. The Pond Family needs us 💗
Skylar Pond is a brother to many in our communities—an athlete, coach, trainer, mentor, and BJJ brown belt under salaverryivan and a man of immense character.
He and his wife, Alicia, have dedicated their lives to healing others through their clinic, Sports Medicine Northwest strengthasmedicine , helping many of us get back on the mats, fields, and doing what we love after injury and ailment.
Now, Alicia is in the fight of her life.
Alicia Pond is a mother, a dreamer, and a healer who has been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.
The cancer has already spread through her pelvis, her spine, and her limbs, wearing her body and spirit down to the bone. We are here to fight alongside her and the Pond Family.
There is no cure, but there is hope for a high quality of life and more years with her two sons—if she can access the right treatments. Most of the intensive, holistic interventions and specialized care she needs are not covered by insurance, leaving the family with staggering out-of-pocket costs.
The world is a better place with Alicia Pond in it.
We need to show up for Skylar, Alicia, and their boys now.
_____
🥋 HOW TO HELP THIS SATURDAY
1️⃣ ATTEND THE FUNDRAISER SEMINAR:
Join the community for a "Roll for Alicia" fundraiser seminar organized by Terren Casson (torrentterren) and led by many of the region`s best BJJ leaders and practioners.
WHEN:
This Saturday, MAY 16th, 11:30 AM (doors open) - 3:30 PM
WHERE:
Ivan Salaverry MMA (ivansalaverrymma)
230 8th Ave N, Seattle, WA
2️⃣ DONATE TO THE GOFUNDME: Every dollar helps Alicia access the intensive cancer treatment centers and specialized care she desperately needs.
❤️Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-alicia-to-survive-cancer
3️⃣ SHARE THIS POST: If you can’t donate, sharing this story helps more than you know.
Let’s come together as a community to give Alicia more time with her family.
All gyms, teams, and friends welcome 🤝
See you on the mats this Saturday 🤙
#RollForAlicia #PNWBJJ #CommunitySupport #CancerWarrior #SeattleSports
This year’s Kodomo no Hi was full of Festival Fun! The JCCCW welcomed friends and families to celebrate Children’s Day with crafts, food, and sunshine.
➡️ Swipe to see photos, and don’t forget to take our 1-minute survey (link in bio)!
(1) Yo-yo fishing in the Kintsugi Garden
(2) All sorts of traditional festival games, including: ball toss, coin drop, fishing, and omikuji (paper fortunes at Japanese shrines and temples). There was even a torii gate photo-op!
(3) Mask making was very popular, and there were many options, from ninjas to maneki neko (lucky cats) to inu (dogs)
(4) Lively youth performances such as taiko from kazedaikoseattle and judo from seattlebudokan
(5) Beautifully koto (Japanese harp) music by Koto no Wa and tea ceremony by East West Chanoyu Center
And there were so many activities, performances, and vendors that we can’t share them all here! From karate by Seattle Swiss Karate to JASSW’s “Japan in a Suitcase” presentation to delicious food by tokaragashi and kozmokitchen – read about the festival fun at this year’s Kodomo no Hi in the blog post linked below and check out all the photos!
A big thank you to the nearly 50 volunteers who came out to help support the event - we couldn’t have done it without you! We’d also like to express our gratitude to King County’s 4Culture for providing financial support to the JCCCW. Without them, we would not be able to hold events that are free and open to the public.
If you attended, please consider taking our quick 1-minute survey - link in bio and below! Your input helps us improve our programming and gain funding for future events.
✅ Read about Kodomo no Hi!
https://www.jcccw.org/nikkei-news/festival-fun-kodomo-no-hi-2026
✅ Take the survey!
https://forms.gle/na4Fv63PVvHYt4dQ9
Join us on May 30th (Sat) for the WASHINGTON OPEN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIP. Sign up now.
Registration now open on Smoothcomp!
https://americanjudo.smoothcomp.com/en/event/29683
#judo #tournament #ippon #washingtonjudoacademy #americanjudo
🎏 This year’s Kodomo no Hi celebration is just a few days away, and the schedule is live! Click the link below (or in bio) to see some of the performances, crafts, and festival games we have on deck! Tell your friends and come excited for a day of play.
The Hosekibako Japanese Resale Shop will also be open during the event, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
✅ See the Schedule and Updates!
https://www.jcccw.org/kodomo-no-hi
🍙Kozmo Kitchen Pre-Orders:
https://shop.kozmokitchen.com/collections/kodomo-no-hi-2026
New venue: Kentridge High School East Gym
Train with one of the best in the world.
Tsunoda Natsumi — 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist, 3x World Champion, former World #1 — is coming to Washington.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn directly from the top.
📅 June 6–7, 2026
📍 Kentridge High School East Gym
👊 Youth & Adult Sessions
Spots are limited.
👉 Scan the QR code to register
https://americanjudo.smoothcomp.com/en/event/31602
#judo #judocamp #pnwjudo judotraining judoka olympicjudo bjj grappling washingtonjudo
Not every win comes in gold 🥋
2nd place at Budokan Annual Judo Tournament , but this one hits different.
Scored my first two ippons 🔥, made a comeback against a familiar opponent, and pushed through every match.
Didn’t take home 1st place , but that’s part of the journey. Learn, adapt, come back stronger.
Progress greater than podium. Always.
#Judo #Budokan #Ippon #judoka #judocanada
The PNW took a force of over 25 athletes to the @ncjajudo 2026 Collegiate and High School Championships in Fresno, CA! Judoka from Budokan, @judo.uw, @zenyujudodojo, @seattle_dojo, @kentridge_judo, and Kent Schools fought hard and represented well!
🥇 Kaiya, Canbo (UW), Sofie (Green River College), & Kate (South Puget Sound)
🥈 MJ (KR), Bethany (Kent Schools), Amelia (Seattle Dojo)
🥉 Jaxon, Jonathan (UW), Mason (UW), & Andrew (KR)
🚨 SAVE THE DATE!🚨
Get ready for games, judo, and tons of fun! ☀️🥋
Seattle Dojo Summer Camp 🔜 June 22- 26
More info coming soon….
Open to all Pacific Northwest judo dojos.
#JudoKids #SummerFun #SeattleDojo #TrainTogether#SummerCamp2026 ☀️ 🥋 😎
We are incredibly proud of all our judoka who competed at this past weekend’s NCJA Collegiate & High School National Championships!
High School Medalists
🥇Khloe, Rosey, Raiden
🥈Ellyana
Collegiate Medalists
🥇Meleenae x2, Alen, Xavier, Koyrune x2, Maria (UC Berkeley)
🥈Lillian, Dominic
Thank you so much to all of our judo families, referees, coaches, and judoka for supporting this event! 💙❤️
Congratulations to @obukanjudo for a successful 70th Annual tournament & 100th year of existence! It’s an honor to be part of this judo community with you. Shoutout to our judoka who participated in the competition and thanks for our families and coaches for supporting us!
🥇Krista
🥈 Kondo, James, & Kaito
Referees: Sensei Gary & Nathan
Congratulations to Nathan for being awarded the Jim Onichi Memorial Scholarship!
Mark your calendars! 2026 NCJA College/High School National Championships on March 28-29 at Fresno State University 🐾🥋Registration link in BIO!
College Elite winner qualifies for the 2027 World University Games!
Great start to 2026! Thanks to everyone for coming to our New Year’s Day practice this morning. Back to our regular schedule next week!
2025 was a year to remember for Team Budokan! Looking forward to what next year has in store 👀
🚨 Special Clinic Announcement 🚨
We’re honored to host Satoshi Ishii at our dojo on February 7th & 8th! 🥋
2008 Olympic Gold Medalist (+100kg) and one of the most accomplished crossover grapplers of his generation, Ishii has competed at the highest levels of Judo, submission grappling, and MMA (PFL, Bellator, Rizin).
This clinic will focus on elite judo applied to modern gi & no-gi grappling, straight from an Olympic champion.
All levels welcome | Ages 12+
📍 Don’t miss this rare opportunity to train with the best.
👉🔗 Register now: www.wajudo.com/satoshi
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#judo #bjj #submissiongrappling #mixedmartialarts #MMA
結果が全てじゃないですが、今回マジで勝ちたかった。ダサかったけど、まだやめたくないと思います。もうすぐアメリカに帰らなきゃいけないのは悲しいけど、もしチャンスあったらもう一回戦って、みんなにきちんと「さよなら」って言わせて欲しいです。🩷
Results aren’t everything, but I really wanted to win this one. I was so lame, but I still don’t want to stop just yet. Sadly I have to go back home to America soon… however if I have the opportunity, let’s say goodbye with one more fight here in Japan. 🩵
今回一緒に戦ってくださったスポンサーの皆様、ありがとうございました。🩷
Thank you to the sponsors and supporters who fought alongside me.🩵
🇯🇵 三ツ木建設工業株式会社 様
🇯🇵 猫OK賃貸千葉 様
🇯🇵 3TF4 様 _3tf4_
🇯🇵 TAYUMAZ 様 tayumaz
🇯🇵 HONESTATE 様
🇺🇸 Shiga’s Imports 様 shigasimports
🇺🇸 VZN Apparel 様 vznshop
🇺🇸 WPJC 様 officialwpjc
🇺🇸 Seattle Budokan 様 seattlebudokan
🇺🇸 Ivan Salaverry/Team Ivan 様 ivansalaverrymma
ヘア：神座大和 様 ymcparadise
コスチューム：Hodophilax 様
チーム：Fighter’s Flow の皆様 fighters_flow
上田先生、隼人先生、アキラさん、この試合のために一緒に準備してくれた皆さん、ありがとうございました。
To coach Ueda, coach Hayato, Mr. Akira, and my teammates at Fighter’s Flow, thank you for helping to prepare me.
Ueda_Takao Hayato.Suzuki.0719 Akira.fll_swing Fighters_Flow
また、DEEPの皆さんもありがとうございました。そして対戦相手の黒岡裕真選手、僕との試合を受け入れてくれてありがとうございました。
Thank you as well to everyone at DEEP, and my opponent Yuma Kurooka for the fight.
DEEP2001Official
最後に応援にきてくれた友達、家族、本当にありがとうございました。次は分からないけど、終わらない！
Lastly, thank you to all of my friends and family for your support. I don’t know what’s next, but this isn’t the end!
Congratulations to all of our judoka who participated in the Zenyu Fall Challenge!
🥇 Kaiya x2 & Artiom
🥈 London, Gus, Evan, & Artiom
🥉 Kondo, Kaito, Takeshi, & Ryan
Referees: Senseis Calvin, Gary, Takumi, Nathan, & Derek
Medical: Sensei Doug
Finally taking a moment to recap our Farewell Dinner for the Hiraoka family. What an honor to have them in Seattle for a whole year! Not only did we do a lot of judo, but we also built lasting friendships and learned lots of lessons. We miss you all and can’t wait to see you again soon!
Happy World Judo Day! Team Budokan is all about Jita-Kyoei, mutual welfare and benefit, and our families, judoka, and senseis are at the heart of it all ❤️
Last month, we had one last opportunity to learn from Hiraoka Sensei before he and his family headed back to Japan. Judoka from around the PNW gained so much from his exercises, drills, and technical instruction. Thank you to everyone for attending and supporting the clinic. It was a bittersweet day!
Congratulations to our judoka who competed at the Rainer Cup Championships last Saturday!
🥇 Kaiya
🥈 Kondo, Alvaro, Mae, & Canbo
🥉 London x2
Referees: Sensei Gary, Takumi, London, Takeshi, & Masa
A big shout out to Sensei Aaron Castillo and the @hilo.hongwanji.judo crew for braving the cooler weather and visiting the PNW Judo community! We look forward to seeing you all again soon. Mahalo!!🤙🏽
From Hilo to Washington 🛫🥋 Huge shoutout to seattlebudokan for the great training and warm hospitality! Mahalo for hosting us - hope to see you on the mats in Hilo someday!
🌟2025 PNW Girls & Women’s Summer Workout🌟
Our biggest turnout yet! More than 50 incredible females on the mat from 3 different states showcasing strength, community, and love for Judo!
Huge thanks to:
🥋 senseiwatercastle for organizing this amazing event
🥋 lakeland_judo & karolpalacios for teaching
🥋 judonwyudanshakai for sponsoring
🥋 kandalexilicious for the awesome shirts
And don’t forget: “It’s not who’s going to let me, it’s who’s going to stop me.” 💪🏼
#judo #girlboss #washingtonjudo #seattledojo
🌟2025 PNW Girls & Women’s Summer Workout🌟
Our biggest turnout yet! More than 50 incredible females on the mat from 3 different states showcasing strength, community, and love for Judo!
Huge thanks to:
🥋 senseiwatercastle for organizing this amazing event
🥋 lakeland_judo & karolpalacios for teaching
🥋 judonwyudanshakai for sponsoring
🥋 kandalexilicious for the awesome shirts
And don’t forget: “It’s not who’s going to let me, it’s who’s going to stop me.” 💪🏼
#judo #girlboss #washingtonjudo #seattledojo
Announcements
Special Visitor | June 2026 | Budokan Judo The Northwest Yudanshakai is hosting its Summer Kickoff Clinic with Natsumi Tsunoda…
Results | May 2026 | Budokan Judo Team Budokan turned out in force for the Seattle Dojo Annual Tournament &…
A look at the Spring and Summer 2026 judo calendar — novice and championship tournaments, the KR Judo Team Mariners…
Medal recap for Team Budokan at the Obukan tournament in Portland and the NCJA High School and Collegiate National Championships…
We need help setting up mats Friday, April 17 and running the tables on Saturday, April 18 at Kentridge High…
Register Now for the 2026 Budokan Annual Judo Tournament https://americanjudo.smoothcomp.com/ko/event/29804 Budokan Dojo is excited to welcome athletes, coaches, referees, and…
Updated July 2024. Q: Does Budokan teach adults? A: Budokan has an adults judo class. We call it “seniors” class,…
Annual tournament will take place at Kentridge High School on April 13th, 2024. More information to come at a later…
Two time Olympian Nick Delpopolo will be visiting Budokan Dojo on Thursday, October 5th at 8 PM. Come join us…