[oyaji poi]

It's a big country, there are many gyms in Tokyo, some in Osaka. The Shooto and Pancrease websites have lists of gyms. Tokyo itself if a very large sprawling city, and the rent and transportation costs are quite high. I'm not trying to be a dick, just saying your friend knows his situation the best, and asking "where in a country is a gym that will get you fights?" is a bit broad.

And ya, LHW is very difficult to find someone to train with and to fight against. Even at 83kg I only had one or two training partners my size in a gym of about 50 regular members. LHW you would be lucky to find 1 person in 100 that size.

To give you an idea of costs, living in a shared accommodation in Tokyo is a minimum $400 for a shared room with 6-12 people. $600 for a private room about the size of a small bathroom, with shared toilet and kitchen. Usually you need to pay one-months deposit plus the first month rent just to get into a share house.

For private accommodation expect to pay minimum $3000 just to get in the door (first month rent, fees, deposit). Then you would have to buy an AC, stove, fridge, etc. So you're looking at $4000 just to walk in the door of an apartment.

Gym fees too, are about $200-$300 for the initial entrance fee and first 2 months upfront.

In his first month in Japan he can expect to pay $5000 to live in a budget accommodation which will likely be far from the gym, gym fees, and expect to spend an hour on the train (one way) to the gym for the first month until you find an apartment near to the gym. Then you'd have to move again...

It's tough and expensive to train in Japan. Especially for bigger guys.