For weeks now, you’ve been preparing for Japan. You’ve done your homework and devised a precise game plan. But here’s something you may have missed - Japan is in fact as sports mad as Australia. Have you prepared for this last minute surprise? Here’s a guide to a vital thread in the tapestry of Japanese culture, from traditional sports based on ancient philosophies to international sports imported from the West. Australia, meet your kindred spirit, a brother in jersey, cleats, sweat, tears and glory. Header 1: Combat Sports Subheader 1: Sumo Wrestling Let’s begin with Japan’s unofficial national sport, sumo wrestling. These larger-than-life wrestlers are the country’s superstars. To watch a dual is to go back in time to ancient Shinto rituals …show more content…
Here, you’ll get to witness tournaments as well as training sessions for all styles. Header 2: Half Time! Snowball fighting is actually a professional sport. Take a seat and catch your breath. Welcome to Yukigassen. Japan has turned every child’s favourite winter pastime into a competitive sport that’s now played in Australia, Canada and across Europe. Think dodgeball but with snowballs. The game is played on an ice-covered court. Two teams of seven players have 90 snowballs at their disposal. The aim: to strike the opponents out of the game by hitting them with a snowball or to capture the opposing team’s flag. Start stretching your arms, you can try Yukigassen at Sobetsu Town in the region of Hokkaido. Header 3: Modern Sports Subheader 1: …show more content…
That’s right, baseball is actually the nation’s most popular sport. Known as yakyu, it was introduced by an American at the end of the 19th century and ever since, the nation has fallen madly in love with the game. Even high school baseball is broadcast nationwide with great interest. Some differences to point out between Japanese and American baseball: in Japanese baseball, the ball, strike zone and playing field are smaller while hot dogs have been subbed out for the likes of bento, sushi and ramen. Talk about super subs! There are two leagues with six teams in each. The regular season starts in late March with the top three teams from both leagues advancing to the playoffs and finally concluding with the Nippon Series in late October. For the bigger teams like the Giants, Tigers or Hawks, tickets will need to be purchased in advance while for other teams, tickets are readily available on gameday. Baseball in Japan is a raucous and delicious spectacle that you simply have to experience. To pre-purchase tickets, click here. Subheader 2: