aispo!web

NavigatorChris Glenn
Radio DJ, TV presenter, event MC, interviewer and translator, born in Adelaide, South Australia. Research specialist and lecturer in Japanese history and culture, conducts popular historical tours and talk shows providing a foreign view.

“aispo!” is Sports Kingdom, Aichi Prefecture’s
professional sports magazine, providing you with
detailed information on professional and works teams.

Free Magazine
“aispo!”

“aispo!” is a free magazine provide Aichi Prefecture’s professional athletes and works team information. Get tournament information, and enjoy interviews with leading athletes in “aispo!”

EVENT

“aispo!” introduce attractions across Aichi Prefecture, by operating booths at major sporting events such as the Shinshiro Rally, the Marathon Festival Nagoya-Aichi, Nagoya Grampus matches and more.

SOCIAL MEDIA

“aispo!” also sends sports information via Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, and provides real-time reports of sports events as they happen in Aichi Prefecture.

Most of Japan’s famed samurai warlords and warriors of the Sengoku, or Warring States and Edo periods, had their beginnings in Aichi Prefecture. Located in the center of Japan, Aichi offers great access to Tokyo and Kyoto, and has become a popular destination for foreign travelers too. Aichi, with its many attractions, is also a Sports Kingdom, boasting top baseball, football and other sports teams. Please see “aispo!” Magazine, and “aispo!” Web for your introduction to Aichi’s sports.

Sports Events held in Aichi Prefecture attract people and participants from all over the nation!

Marathon Festival Nagoya-Aichi
Around 40,000 people take part each year in the Marathon Festival Nagoya-Aichi. The Nagoya Women’s Marathon serves as the national selector World Games, and along with other events, makes for some exciting entertainment.
Oku Mikawa Power Trail
A challenging 70km trail from the Mt. Chausuyama plateau to the Yuya Onsen hot springs with a cumulative elevation of 4,000 meters. Support from the warm and friendly locals adds to the atmosphere.
　
　
Shinshiro Rally
Aichi’s major motor sports event! Based around Shinshiro General Park, the rally takes to the winding roads around Shinshiro. There’s great rally action, and great food to be enjoyed too!
　
Ironman 70.3
Centrair Chita Peninsula Japan
Japan’s premier Iron Man race! A challenging course held around Centrair International Airport and featuring a 1.9km swim, 90.1km bike and 21.1km running stages.

Major sports tournaments and events happen right across the year in Aichi Prefecture. The Marathon Festival Nagoya-Aichi is well worth catching, as thousands of spectators line the roadsides to cheer on the runners. Same too with the internationally popular Iron Man 70.3 event, held around the Chubu International Airport, Centrair. It’s easy to participate in, and great to watch! Then there’s the Oku Mikawa Power Trail and the exciting Shinshiro Rally, staged in the rich, fresh nature of Aichi before enthusiastic and appreciative crowds!

Introducing the leagues, teams and members from baseball and football, right through to basketball and rugby.

Japan’s professional baseball is divided into a Central League and a Pacific League. Aichi’s Chunichi Dragons, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Hanshin Tigers, Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars,Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Yakuruto Swallows six teams all belong to the Central League.
Japan’s J-League, professional football league, was established in 1993. Currently 54 clubs represent the league. Teams are divided into score based J1, J2 and J3 rankings between February and November.
The Futsal National League was established in 2007, with 12 teams ranging from Hokkaido to Kyushu participating. The only pro team in the F-League is the Nagoya Oceans.
B-League men’s basketball began in 2016 and is divided into B1 and B2 ranks. Aichi has three clubs in B1 and one club in B2 rankings.
Japanese workingmen’s rugby leagues (15 per side) entered the National Leagues during the ’03-’04 National Premier League season. Two of the 16 teams are from Aichi!

Aichi’s premier teams are the Chunichi Dragons baseball and Nagoya Grampus soccer teams. Many of our athletes honed their skills abroad, and so we can expect some fine play in future matches. Aichi is also heating up in the world of Futsal, with the Nagoya Oceans becoming more powerful with each title gained, while the B-League is attracting many spectators with some entertaining games. In 2019, the Rugby World Cup will be staged at Toyota Stadium. This will be an action packed, exciting series of battles! Don’t miss it!

Chunichi Dragons

The Nagoya based Chunichi Dragons are the only baseball team in the Central Japan region, and as such, have a wide fan base. They were the Number One team of 2007, and belong to the Central League.

Nagoya Grampus

Based in both Paloma Mizuho and Toyota Stadiums, Nagoya Grampus won the 2010 soccer league title. Last year slipped to J2 ranking, but following recent playoffs have returned to the J1 standing after a one-year absence.

Nagoya Oceans

Trained in the Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya Oceans is a professional Futsal team. They have won 23 titles and nine F-League Championships.

B1 Club : Nagoya Diamond Dolphins

Based in Aichi Prefecture’s Nagoya City, the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins have a relatively young team, featuring successful Japan National team member Harimoto Tenketsu and others.

B1 Club : SeaHorses Mikawa

Based in Kariya City, SeaHorses Mikawa has hopes of securing the Central Districts titles with Japan National team members Hiejima Makoto and Kanamaru Kosuke on the roster.

B1 Club : San-En NeoPhoenix

Based in Toyohashi City, NeoPheonix are noted for their fast paced action centering on Japan National team member Ota Atsuya.

B2 Club : F Eagles Nagoya

Fighting for promotion to B1 ranking, the F Eagles Nagoya and train in the Nagoya City Biwajima Sports Center.

Toyota Verblitz

A strong team three National Rugby Championship wins. Practice is held at the Toyota Sports Center.

Toyota Industries Shuttles

Toyota Industries Shuttles of Kariya City gained Top League ranking in 2010. The team features Rio Olympics sevens a side National Rugby player, Sakai Katsuyuki.

Aichi Prefecture has so much enjoyment to offer, and not just watching sports, but participating in it too.

Trail Run

Experience trail running through Aichi’s stunning nature, including the great courses through the Mikawa Plateau of Shinshiro, around Inuyama, Joko-ji Temple, Sanage and Mt. Horai-ji.

Canoe

Canoeing is enjoyed by all ages in Toyogawa, where the river is wide, the flow is gentle, and a canoeing school operates in the pleasant shop area.

Bouldering

Use your entire body strength, hands and feet, to climb the rock face in bouldering. Beginner classes are staged at Climbing Gym in Nagoya City.

Surfing

Waves are good at Tahara City, where the World Surfing Championships are held. Surf shop operates a school catering from beginner to advanced levels.

Windsurfing

Marine sports thrive in Shinmaiko, the nearest beach to Nagoya. Near shop allows you to experience windsurfing and stand-up paddling.

Paragliding

Experience paragliding in Okazaki City. Make unforgettable memories, enjoy an invigorating aerial walk and great views from the sky.

Skateboarding

Popular street sports, skateboarding can be enjoyed, with a range of facilities including ramps and hips.

With oceans, forests, rivers and abundant nature, Aichi Prefecture allows you to enjoy various sports including trail running and surfing. Aichi also has many historical sites and cultural resources, including Nagoya Castle, Okazaki Castle Inuyama Castle and more. You’ll experience exciting games with players showing that samurai spirit, then enjoy the journey through the samurai heartland to historical and cultural spots after the games. Aichi is unique in being able to offer such great sports tourism.

Free Magazine “aispo!”