In 1980 the Sakurada Club Tokyo Tennis College started its junior development program with the support of its late owner, Mr. Hajime Akiyama and was led by principle Ai Iida and other incredibly experienced coaches at the Jindaiji Temple in Chofu, Tokyo. Based on the free instructional style of ‘Respecting the personalities and determination of our junior players’, which has become the standard in our modern age, Sakurada Club has amassed both results and achievements by being the first institution to implement such techniques and programs, including consistent training programs, group-style lessons, long-term overseas tours, a boarding-style training system from early childhood, as well as inviting instructors from overseas to give clinics and lessons.
Our long running history of OB and OG include Soichi Nakamura, Kaoru Maruyama, Shuzo Matsuoka, Ryuso Tsujino, Yasufumi Yamamoto, Hideki Kaneko, Takao Suzuki, Yaoki Ishii, Akemi Nishiya, Ei Iida, and Miho Saeki, some of whom were representatives of Japan in the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and our known as Japan’s national champions. There are also many other OB and OG who are currently active in different fields of the tennis world, such as coaches, agents, managers, and commentators.
And since we also have OB and OG who are active in industries other than tennis, we can say that we are now a junior development institution rich in creativity with a proven history and track record.

MESSAGE

In the second year of Reiwa (2020) the Sakurada Club Tokyo Tennis College will see both its 40th anniversary as well as a new beginning.
Our seniors have been raised in beautiful green mountains, they are people who have rich personalities and who have the smell of the earth, and even now are active in various positions throughout the tennis world with their rich personalities.
Our motto is taken from the idea that personalities should be used and that each and every person blooms at a different time.
One can see from the actions and efforts from the OB and OG that have graduated from Sakurada Club that they have been nurtured under the motto that both the personalities of the students and the teachers should be used in order to grow and develop our members.
I have observed the children who enter the school, looked forward to when their charming personalities as humans would blossom without becoming standardized. Observing not the standardized movements of a child, but the child’s natural movements and expressions, which can help raise and bring out the plays that are in that child. In tennis matches, it is important to have an expressive power that is rich in sensitivity.
I strongly hope that past these upcoming Olympics this ‘Private Junior Training Club’ continues to guide and nurture people for both its 50th and 100th anniversaries with the same heart and spirit it has always had for the past 40 years.

Please support us with a heart and mind that loves the forest of Jindaiji Temple.
Forever and ever.
As a place for children to dream.

Ai Iida

If you go up along the animal trail surrounded by nature, you will begin to see a tennis court.
The thoughts and dreams of each person envelop our bodies.
The innocent smiles of small children. Parents who watch over them warmly.
In a tense atmosphere, the rally continues on the court.
People who are stimulating each other and having fun before they even realize it.
There, unconsciously, is an indescribably warm atmosphere.
And there, everyone departs on a journey of growth.

This time, a new team has begun to make moves.
I would like to keep cherishing such a place with such an environment.

Kaoru Maruyama

Why was I able to break through the walls of the world with tennis and play internationally?
It has been 20 years since I retired and started training juniors. Since then I have constantly pondered the reason why.
I was by no means a player who had a natural gift in tennis. However, just because you have tennis skills does not guarantee that you are able to play on an international stage.
There is but one more important factor. That is mentality. It is even said that mentality is about 80% of playing.
Even Kei Nishikori, the famous player gifted with incredible talent, once said to me “Tennis is 90% mental!”
Tennis is a sport that requires a diverse range of mental abilities, including self-reliance, decisiveness, and imagination.
I was able to naturally learn that kind of mentality which happens to be incredibly important for tennis.
The place that infused that spirit into Shuzo Matsuoka was Sakurada Club.
The place that gave that environment to Shuzo Matsuoka was Sakurada Club.
When you can feel the Jindaiji Temple, and run up the mountain, a tennis court surrounded by Mother Nature spreads out before you.
As nature and mind open, there exists a place where one has the freedom, nature, and sense of self to be able to express themselves to their heart’s content.
And the one who used that environment and helped improve my tennis abilities was Ai Iida sensei.
Ai Iida sensei led me to the world.
At the Sakurada Club’s tennis courts there was always a feeling of tension, but never the feeling that we were obligated or being forced in any way. What was there was the reassuring feeling of knowing that you could discuss anything there and the trust and freedom that pointed us in the right direction so that we could find the answers to our questions ourselves. There, I was able to find something that only I could do, I was able to find the tennis style of Shuzo Matsuoka. I don’t think it was about whether or not I could do something, it was the fact that I was able to play and believe that I could.
Sakurada Club truly brought Japan’s tennis to the world.

Because it’s Sakurada Club, they have the power to aim for the world. For that purpose, local support is indispensable. I truly hope that many people, or even just one person, are raised at Sakurada Club with one heart to become international tennis players.

Shuzo Matsuoka

I remember the first time I took part in Sakurada Club’s training was in 1990.
A place where I could practice in between national conventions and overseas tours from Hokkaido, and while I interacted with many coaches, staff, same-age athletes, and seniors there, I felt the strength of Japan’s top pros on my very skin, and became influenced by coaches from overseas. Upon deciding to try and become a pro athlete was also the moment I became determined to enter the Sakurada Club from high school.
From there, while experiencing the domestic Inter-High School Championships and the All Japan Junior Tennis Championships, I have had more and more opportunities to challenge myself at pro circuits and aim for the ITF Junior Tournament and the Junior Grand Slam.
Practicing and playing nationally is not necessarily a negative thing, but meeting stronger opponents is required in order to feel that I have become stronger.
By getting to know other countries and people outside of Japan you can really feel the differences between cultures and race, and through practice and matches I can understand through my own experiences what my playstyle is and what level I am at on a global standard.
I know that unless you continue to fight in these harsh situations and conquer your rivals then you will not be able to increase your own level, but first you have to gain experience, or else nothing will really start. Sakurada Club taught me that important first lesson, and the growth I have gained from the roaring support of so many people has become the foundation for when I enter a match as a player, when I interact with another player as a coach, and when I am active as a commentator.

Now, I hope that these new activities that I am starting are supported by just as many people, and that it becomes the power for junior athletes too.

Takao Suzuki

HISTORY

  • 1955

    • 1955

      The late tennis enthusiast Hajime Akiyama establishes a tennis court at the Jindaiji Temple in Chofu, Tokyo

    • The Sakurada Club was founded by the Akiyama family and their friends to serve as a cultural community in Asia.

  • 1980

    • Feb. 1980

      Tokyo Tennis College Founder Chairman The Late Mr. Hajime Akiyama

    • Akira Takahashi appointed as head coach

    • Completion of the club house/six clay courts

    • Aug.

      First Tokyo Junior Circuit Sakurada Tournament is held

    • Oct.

      Mr. Bill Bond (USPTA) is invited and a junior clinic is held

    • Dec.

      The first tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1981

    • Feb. 1981

      The start of a genuine junior program ( 20 - 30 members ) as the Sakurada Club Tokyo Tennis College

    • Ai Iida is appointed as general manager

    • Apr.

      Mr. Nick Bollettieri ( USPTA ) is invited and holds clinics for the juniors and trainers

    • Completion of lighting installations ( Three courts )

    • Dec.

      The second tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1982

    • Jan. 1982

      The first prince cup Sakurada Club Winter Junior is held

    • Feb.

      Isao Hashizume is appointed coach and manager, Koichi Maruyama is appointed chief coach, and a strong training system is prepared with leader AI Iida

    • Aug.

      Won the title in four events at the All Japan Junior Championships

    • Sep.

      The first prince cup Sakurada Club Autumn Junior is held

    • Dec.

      The third tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1983

    • May. 1983

      The completion of hard courts ( 10 clay / 2 hard )

    • The first prince cup Sakurada Club Early Summer Junior is held

    • Jul.

      Won the title in five men’s and women’s events at the Kanto Junior Championships

    • Sep.

      Mr. Masayuki Sato helps as a physical trainer

    • Dec.

      The fourth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1984

    • Aug. 1984

      Won the title in three events at the All Japan Junior Championships

    • Dec.

      The fifth tour to Florida / Arizona, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Kaoru Maruyama / Akemi Nishiya start as the first pro players

  • 1985

    • Jan. 1985

      17 members enter the All Japan junior ranking

    • Mar.

      Kaoru Maruyama is selected for the Davis Cup world group match against America

    • Nov.

      Tsujino, Okada, and Yamaguchi are selected as Japan’s representatives for the first World Youth Cup

    • Dec.

      The sixth tour to Florida / Arizona, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1986

    • Jan. 1986

      Over 20 members enter the All Japan ranking ( Regular / Junior )

    • Aug.

      Won the title in four events at the All Japan Junior Championships

    • Dec.

      The seventh tour to Florida / Arizona, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Shuzo Matsuoka / Ei Iida starts as a pro players

  • 1987

    • Feb. 1987

      Shuzo Matsuoka is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Aug.

      Won the title in three events at the All Japan Junior Championships

    • Dec.

      The eighth tour to Florida / Arizona, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 1988

    • Jan. 1988

      Participated in the ITF South American Junior Circuit

    • Dec.

      The ninth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy )

    • Ryuso Tsujino / Shiho Okada starts as a pro players

  • 1989

    • Jan. 1989

      Participated in the ITF South American Junior Circuit

    • Feb.

      Junichi Maruyama is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Dec.

      The tenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Hopman Camp Saddlebrook )

  • 1990

    • Apr. 1990

      Foreign coaches are involved in training and development as regular staff members

    • Dec.

      The eleventh tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Hopman Camp Saddlebrook )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Yasufumi Yamamoto starts as a pro player

  • 1991

    • Feb. 1991

      Yasufumi Yamamoto is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Sep.

      Yasufumi Yamamoto wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles

    • Dec.

      The tour to Sydney, Australia

    • Hideki Kaneko starts as a pro player

  • 1992

    • Feb. 1992

      Ryuso Tsujino is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Sep.

      Yasufumi Yamamoto wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles for the second time in a row

    • Dec.

      The tour to Sydney, Australia

  • 1993

    • Jan. 1993

      Tour to Australia and appearance at the Australian Open Juniors

    • Participated in the ITF South American Junior Circuit

    • Apr.

      Ei Iida wins the Japan Open Women’s Doubles with partner Maya Kidowaki

    • Aug.

      US Open Junior Championships expedition

    • Dec.

      The twelfth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Hopman Camp Saddlebrook )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Mami Donoshiro starts as a pro player

  • 1994

    • Jan. 1994

      The tour to Sydney, Australia

    • Apr.

      Mami Donoshiro wins the Japan Open Women’s Doubles with partner Ai Sugiyama

    • Dec.

      The thirteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Palmer Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Participated in the ITF Latin American Junior Circuit

    • Miho Saeki starts as a pro player

  • 1995

    • Feb. 1995

      Takao Suzuki is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Jun.

      Shuzo Matsuoka advances to the best 8 at the Wimbledon Men’s Singles

    • Apr.

      Miho Saeki wins the Japan Open Women’s Doubles with partner Yuka Yoshida

    • Sep.

      Hideki Kaneko wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles

    • Dec.

      The fourteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Palmer Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Participated in the ITF Latin American Junior Circuit

    • Takao Suzuki starts as a pro player

  • 1996

    • Feb. 1996

      Hideki Kaneko is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Jun.

      ITF tour to Europe ( Denmark / Netherlands )

    • Sep.

      Takao Suzuki wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles

    • Dec.

      The fifteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ ITA )

  • 1997

    • Sep. 1997

      Takao Suzuki wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles for the second time in a row

    • Dec.

      The sixteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ ITA )

  • 1998

    • May. 1998

      Miho Saeki advances to the third round of the French Open Women’s Singles

    • Aug.

      Miho Saeki enters best 8 at the US Open Women’s Doubles with partner Yuka Yoshida

    • Miho Saeki is selected as a Fed Cup member

    • Oct.

      Yaoki Ishii wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles

    • Yaoki Ishii starts as a pro player

  • 1999

    • Jan. 1999

      Participated in the ITF South American Junior Circuit

    • Apr.

      Hayato Furukawa wins the ITF Asia Junior Men’s Singles

    • Jun.

      The tour to Wimbledon Junior

    • Oct.

      Hayato Furukawa enters the ITF Super Junior ( Grade A ) Men’s Single’s best 4

    • Dec.

      The seventeenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ ITA )

  • 2000

    • Feb. 2000

      Yaoki Ishii is selected as a Davis Cup member

    • Nov.

      Sakurada Club’s 20th anniversary ceremony is held and Ai Iida hands over the baton of leadership to Emiko Mochizuki

    • Natsumi Hamamura starts as a pro player

  • 2001

    • Jun. 2001

      ITF Junior Tour Team Activities

    • Oct.

      Takao Suzuki advances to the AIG Japan Open Men’s Singles best 8

  • 2002

    • Dec. 2002

      The tour to Melbourne, Australia ( ＠ Vida Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Tennis Australia Official Junior Circuit

  • 2003

    • Dec. 2003

      The tour to Sydney, Australia

  • 2004

    • Sep. 2004

      Miho Saeki with Coach Natsuki Harada ( OB ) wins the All Japan Regular Women’s Singles

    • Dec.

      The eighteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ IMG Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

    • Hayato Furukawa starts as a pro player

  • 2005

    • Dec. 2005

      The nineteenth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ IMG Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 2006

    • May. 2006

      Under 14s tour to Europe ( Germany / Czech Republic / Slovakia )

    • Dec.

      The twentieth tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ IMG Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 2007

    • May. 2007

      Strengthening expedition trip to Shanghai, China ( ＠ SETA )

    • Sep.

      Takao Suzuki wins the All Japan Championships Regular Men’s Singles for the third time

  • 2008

    • Dec. 2008

      Strengthening expedition trip to Shanghai, China ( ＠ SETA )

  • 2010

    • Sep. 2010

      Japan’s representative team wins the Junior Davis Cup under 16s ( Representative member Soichiro Moritani )

  • 2013

    • 2013

      Soichiro Moriya starts as a pro player

  • 2015

    • Api. 2015

      Daisuke Watanabe is appointed head coach for the training department

    • Oct.

      The Sakurada Club’s 35th anniversary event is held ( Approximately 300 people attend )

  • 2016

    • Api. 2016

      ATPCA conference with invited lecturers from overseas

    • ( Australian coach training program is held in four Japanese cities )

    • Sep.

      Ai Iida begins supporting as an advisor

    • Dec.

      The twenty-first tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Gomez Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 2017

    • Aug. 2017

      Japan’s representative team takes 3rd at the World Junior Championships under 14s ( Representative member Hibiki Arimoto )

    • Dec.

      The twenty-second tour to Florida / New Jersey, USA ( ＠ Center Court Tennis Academy )

    • Participated in the Junior Orange Bowl

  • 2018

    • Aug. 2018

      15 members participate in the Kanto Junior Championships, and 13 members participate in the All Japan Junior Championships

  • 2019

    • Jun. 2019

      The start of the Sakurada Tour Team Program

    • Participated in the ITF China, New Zealand and other Asian-Oceania tournaments

    • Dec.

      The twenty-third tour to Florida, USA ( ＠ Pro World Tennis Academy )

  • 2020

    • Jun. 2020

      Participated in the ITF South American Junior Circuit

    • Feb.

      The institution saw its 40th anniversary