9 Popular Sports in Japan

At the go to the website core of this culture is high school baseball, especially the annual National High School Baseball Championship held at Koshien Stadium. This tournament, known as Koshien, attracts nationwide attention and is considered a rite of passage for young players. The drama and passion displayed during these games have turned Koshien into a cultural phenomenon, with many future professional players making their mark here. Professional baseball features 12 fiercely competitive teams and draws millions of passionate supporters every season. Additionally, the popularity of amateur baseball, especially high school baseball tournaments like the iconic Kōshien, further solidifies the sport’s appeal.

They occur in a circular ring called a dohyo, made of clay and covered with sand. The goal is always to either push your opponent out of the ring or make any part of their body, other than the soles of their feet, touch the ground. The Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, in the mountain town of Yamanouchi, offers an enormous variety of winter sports options. The vast mountainous landscape is under the watchful eyes of the “snow monsters”.

He played nine seasons for the Hiroshima Carp before signing with the Cubs, batting .309 with 189 career homers. The 30-year-old Suzuki has been an important part of the Cubs lineup for the past three seasons. He just finished his best season in the big leagues, batting .283 with 21 homers, 73 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 27 doubles. He played seven seasons for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan before coming to the U.S., where he had a record along with a miniscule 1.82 ERA. Four other Japanese players — LA’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, along with Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga — will be on the field in a display of how deep the talent pool is in the country.

Along with countries such as the United States, Canada, and Russia, Japan is widely considered to be a leading country in the sport. There are opportunities to play various sports for all ages, and school plays an important role in community. Kindergarten and lower elementary school students can play in a private sport club that can be joined for a moderate fee. When a student starts 5th grade, school offers free after-school activities for its students to participate. Middle and high schools also encourage their students to join school sport clubs.

Besides the national sport of Japan, what other sports are popular in the country?

Japan’s diverse geography, from mountainous regions to expansive coastlines, provides ample opportunities for these activities. Indoor climbing gyms have proliferated in urban areas, making the sport accessible year-round. Similarly, surfing communities in areas like Chiba and Shonan are thriving, with beginners and seasoned surfers alike enjoying the waves. Rental equipment for climbing or surfing typically costs around ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 (approximately $20 to $35) per session, allowing newcomers to explore these sports without significant investment. When it comes to outdoor sports in Japan, for most people winter sports like skiing and snowboarding come to mind. The southern island Okinawa is the most famous for cave snorkeling and scuba diving, while surfing is quite popular at the Izu Islands.

Soccer

The sport enjoys a strong following, with numerous clubs and facilities across the country. Japan hosts several major tournaments, including the Rakuten Japan Open, which attracts top international players and boosts local interest in the sport. Basketball, driven by the success of the B.League, Japan’s professional basketball league, has quickly grown in popularity. Established in 2016, the B.League brought structure and visibility to the sport, featuring exciting games and fostering a dedicated fanbase. Players like Rui Hachimura, who became the first Japanese-born player to be drafted in the first round of the NBA, have inspired young athletes across the country.

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• From trekking and canyoning in the mountains, to snorkeling, paragliding and white-water rafting, this paradise for outdoor activity devotees is never short of fun all year round.

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• Misato Michishita is a renowned Paralympic marathon runner who has achieved significant success on the international stage.

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• In addition to sumo wrestling, which is the national sport of Japan, other popular sports in the country include judo, karate, kendo, baseball, and soccer.

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• The skill and precision required make Yabusame a spectacular and respected demonstration of Japan’s martial heritage.

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• Wrestlers, known as rikishi, showcase immense strength and skill in bouts that have captivated the Japanese people for centuries.

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• The Japan Open Tennis Championships is a crucial event on the national circuit, featuring both local and international players.

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Baseball and Soccer in Japan

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Waseda University was one of the first teams to cross the ocean to improve their skills. In 1905, the team traveled to the United States, where it played college teams from around the country. Other universities in Japan made similar trips, and U.S. teams traveled to Japan to play. Traditional sports, such as sumo and martial arts, as well as Western imports like baseball, association football, basketball and tennis are popular with both participants and spectators. Tennis has gained considerable popularity in recent years, partly due to the success of players like Kei Nishikori.

Engagement with fans and international appeal are crucial, which has led to a more global audience and increased popularity outside of Japan. The first recorded instance of rugby being played in Japan was in 1874, when British sailors staged a game in Yokohama. The sport was introduced to students at Keio university in 1899, by Professor Edward Bramwell Clarke and Tanaka Ginnosuke.