pool WHY JAPAN? Sports

Originating as a religious occasion, Japan’s national sport sumo to this day still retains many rituals closely related to the Shinto religion. This sport is a competitive form of wrestling where “rikishi,” Japanese for sumo wrestler, attempt to force their opponent out of a ring or into touching the ground. Sumo wrestlers may be famous for their body size, but just like any other professional sporting atheletes, they lead a highly regimented life of training and competition. Nowadays, sumo is a popular sports among spectators. There are six Grand Sumo tournaments every year. Come watch these skillful wrestlers compete against each other in Japan.

There are six Grand Sumo tournaments being held each year. Wrestlers from all around the country gather together to fight against each other for two-weeks to win the tournament and to reach the highest rank. Watch these impressive sports matches for a taste of an authentic Japanese culture.

Originally created as a teaching method to train people physically, mentally and morally, judo has evolved from a martial art into an Olympic combat sport. Literally meaning “the gentle way,” judo is more than just a set of techniques. It is also a philosophy. Nowadays, judo has spread well beyond the Japanese archipelago, attracting thousands of people worldwide to participate this special sport that trains body as well as mind.

Being a common traditional sport, most high schools in Japan have a judo club. There are privately run judo schools outside of high schools, too. Join a school club or one of these private schools to learn this traditional martial art in its homeland Japan!

Tokyo Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race, or “Hakone Ekiden” for short, is one of the most viewed of Japan's university relay marathon races. It is held between Tokyo and the popular tourist destination Hakone each year on January 2 and 3. It was started in 1920 by the father of Japanese marathon running Shizo Kanaguri to foster runners to compete on the world stage. The total distance of the relay race is roughly 218 kilometers, and is telecast on Nippon TV. Japanese novel Run with the Wind is also based on the Hakone Ekiden, and has been adapted into manga, film and anime.

Many students in high school in Japan join after-school clubs, especially sports ones such as baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc. Most students are very serious about their club activities. Sports clubs often go on overnight training camps, and they participate in regional and even country-wide contests to win the glory for themselves as well as their schools.

Extracurricular activities are very popular among high school students in Japan. Joining an after-school sports club is the fastest and the easiest way to make friends in high school.

Enjoy the breathtaking nature and take a leap of faith with canyoning in Japan. There are a number of canyons that are suitable for canyoning, including the Kinugawa River at Nikko and Fujigawachi Valley. Follow trails to take in the lovely nature of these locations. Canyoning is a challenging outdoor activity that often requires a variety of skills including hiking, climbing, jumping and swimming. In someplaces you might even have to jump from a meters-high rock! It sure is an exciting way to enjoy nature!

When it comes to outdoor sports in Japan, for most people winter sports like skiing and snowboarding come to mind. However, the water sports are quite common and popular too! The southern island Okinawa is the most famous for cave snorkeling and scuba diving, while surfing is quite popular at the Izu Islands. Get wet and wild this summer with these exciting activities!

Explore Japan with exciting water sports! Scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing are popular on the southern islands as well as along coastal areas. Or you can raft through a mangrove forest with local guides to enjoy the wonderful nature here.

For ski-lovers, Japan is definitely the country to go to in East Asia. From November to May annually, tourists from around the world swarm into ski resorts throughout Japan to enjoy the wonderful powder snow here. Some resorts even take advantage of the local onsen, providing relaxing ski-and-hot-spring packages! It is also a great place for professionals to try out their skills.

There are many ski resorts all across the country. Some of these are best for professionals or experienced ski-lovers, while others are beginner-friendly. Popular ski hot spots include Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata. Each of these places has different types of snow, slopes and pistes for skiing and snowboarding. If you’re a new to skiing, some of these ski resorts also provide beginner class in English and Japanese.