Aranami Dojo started as an open-air dojo operating at the Makiki District Park in Honolulu every Sunday morning and is run by Ryan Layman. Originally named Mochida Dojo, it was started by Yuri Taniguchi, who had moved to Japan and had started as a Hawai’i branch of Mochida Dojo. Ryan Layman had joined the dojo shortly after its founding, bringing with him 15 years of experience in Kyokushin karate from his time in Kanazawa and Vermont. When Taniguchi-sensei returned to Japan, he entrusted the dojo’s students to Ryan, who then continued to teach karate under the name of Aranami Dojo, in reference to the often hard training of Kyokushin karate and its location by the ocean in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

What used to be only every Sunday morning in the park now runs six classes on five separate days in the week with two separate locations with mixed-age range classes. In 2025, Aranami Dojo became a member of the World So-Kyokushin organization.

What Makes Aranami Dojo Special?

There’s a couple of things we think makes Aranami Dojo stand out:

• Bilingual instruction: Our head instructor is fluent in both English and Japanese. You can be assured that what is being taught is real, authentic, and traditional Kyokushin karate. Whether you intend to stay here in Hawai’i or train abroad in Japan, you can be assured that what you learn here will be useful in your martial arts journey elsewhere.

• Full contact experience: Not everyone looks for and seeks out competition, but if you are looking to compete, whether in kumite, kata, or otherwise, you’ve found the right place to pursue your ambitions. We can advise you on everything that makes up competing, whether it comes to technique, strength & conditioning, nutrition, strategy and more.

• Real experience with use of force: If you have been or will be in a position that requires use of force, or whether you’re simply interested in applications of self-defense you can be assured that the instruction you receive will be applicable.

• A diverse student population hailing from various martial arts: From boxing to Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, other styles of Karate and more, we encourage and welcome students who come from other martial arts backgrounds and we’re honored that they find something in us worth learning.