Hanabi Judo

Hanabi Judo offers Oyako Judo, Chibi Judo / Pre-Judo, Hajime! Judo / Beginning Judo, Honto no Judo / Honto (Real) Judo, Otona Judo / Adult Judo, Kata / Formal Forms, and a Summer Camp at Hanabi Judo. Classes include parent participation in Oyako Judo, games, songs, and Japanese language in Chibi Judo, and throws, ukemi, grips, groundwork, randori, and kata work in the older programs.

Programs

• Oyako Judo — Ages 2 and up, with a parent · Saturday, 8:15-8:45 AM · $180–$215 per month · Parent participates in class alongside child; perfect introduction to judo for the family; focus on fun, safety and bonding.
• Chibi Judo / Pre-Judo — Ages 3-5 · Mon, Wed & Fri, 4:30-5:15 PM; Saturday, 9:00-9:45 AM · $180–$215 per month · Fun, playful, confidence-building pre-judo with games, songs and Japanese language; small class sizes; no prior experience needed; free gi for new members.
• Hajime! Judo / Beginning Judo — Ages 6-11 · Mon, Wed & Fri, 5:25-6:25 PM; Tue & Thu, 4:30-5:30 PM; Saturday, 9:55-10:55 AM · $220 per month · Beginning judo with throws, ukemi, grips and groundwork; belt ranking system; after-school care available; optional tournament participation.
• Honto no Judo / Honto (Real) Judo — No age limit; experienced students from Hajime · Mon, Wed & Fri, 6:30-8:00 PM; Tue & Thu, 5:35-6:55 PM; Saturday, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM · $230–$240 per month · Advanced technique, randori and competitive preparation; for students who have moved up from Hajime; competitive tournament track available.
• Otona Judo / Adult Judo — Adults only · Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00-8:30 PM · $240 per month · Adult judo evening training at the Albany dojo; first class is always free.
• Kata / Formal Forms — Saturdays · Saturday, 12:30-2:00 PM · Formal and standardized forms of judo; included with monthly membership.
• Summer Camp at Hanabi Judo — Ages 6-14 · A full-day judo immersion with physical and cultural adventures; judo training plus Japanese culture and art activities; full-day supervision; limited enrollment.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Price range: $180–$240 per month
• General schedule: Classes run six days a week. Weekly timetable: Monday, Wednesday and Friday Chibi 4:30-5:15 PM, Hajime 5:25-6:25 PM, Honto 6:30-8:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday Hajime 4:30-5:30 PM, Honto 5:35-6:55 PM, Otona 7:00-8:30 PM; Saturday Oyako 8:15-8:45 AM, Chibi 9:00-9:45 AM, Hajime 9:55-10:55 AM, Honto 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, Kata 12:30-2:00 PM.
• Facility hours: Monday-Friday afternoons and evenings; Saturday 8:15 AM-2:00 PM; Sunday closed

About the provider

Hanabi Judo was founded in 1965 in Albany and is described as one of the longest-running judo clubs in the East Bay and one of the Bay Area's original judo clubs. The leadership team includes Head Instructor Dan Augustine, 6th Dan, and Founder Mel Augustine, 7th Dan. The program is USJF and USA Judo certified and affiliated, with a 4.9★ Google rating, and Team Hanabi placed third in the State of California. The mission statement says it is where champions and good people are made, and the community involvement includes monthly in-class shiai, family-oriented programs, after-school programs, and students and families training together.

Structured, safe classes; no prior experience needed for some programs; parent participates in Oyako; after-school care available for Hajime; optional tournament participation for Hajime; competitive tournament track available for Honto; included with monthly membership for Kata; limited enrollment for summer camp.

What families say

“We want to thank Hanabi Judo and Master Sensei Dan for welcoming our son into this amazing kids’ judo program. Since joining, he has grown tremendously—not just in skill, but in confidence and discipline. Sensei Dan is exceptional with children; his patience and ability to connect with them make every class enjoyable and productive.” — McNeil Jackson

“Hanabi is our second family! The community here is so welcoming and supportive that the children feel safe and cared. My son is seven now and he has been playing Judo at Hanabi since he was four. Hanabi has definitely made a huge contribution in building confidence in my son.” — Shingis Qudaibergen

“There are so many things we love about Hanabi. The Sensei’s know well how to engage the young ones, keep them focused, disciplined, yet have fun at the same time. The older one’s are taught to look after the younger children, help them, and engage with them in a fun and caring way.” — Chaya-Ryvka Diehl

Last updated September 18, 2026.