On May 21, 1865, he left for Edo along with Toshizo HIJIKATA, Kashitaro ITO, Hajime SAITO and Heisuke TODO, and they applied to enlist when recruitment efforts were underway.
慶応元年4月27日、土方歳三・伊東甲子太郎が斎藤一・藤堂平助を伴って江戸へ下り、隊士募集をした際に応募。