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.
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.
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 X 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 Trail Running Race
The Oku-Mikawa Trail Running Race is a trail running event held in the Oku-Mikawa region in northeastern Aichi Prefecture. It is the successor to the "Oku-Mikawa Power Trail" that has been held since 2015, and in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Tokai Nature Trail, a 35km course will be held in 2024.
-
Rally Japan 2024
Rally Japan is the Japanese round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and is one of the world's top automobile competitions. In 2024, it will be held in various parts of Aichi and Gifu prefectures for four days from Thursday, November 21st to Sunday, November 24th.
-
IRONMAN 70.3
This is one of the global triathlon series, and the only Ironman competition in Japan, held for the first time in the Higashi Mikawa region. Top finishers in each age group will be given the right to participate in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
Higashimikawa Japan Atsumi Peninsula
Aichi Prefecture hosts a number of large sporting events throughout the year. The Nagoya Aichi Marathon Festival is well worth a visit, with thousands of spectators lining the road to cheer on the runners. So is the world-famous Ironman 70.3 event in Higashi Mikawa and the Atsumi Peninsula. It's easy to participate in and great to watch. Plus, the Oku-Mikawa Trail Running Race and the exciting Rally Japan take place in Aichi's lush, fresh nature 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! -
League H is a new handball league organized and managed by the Japan Handball League (JHL), and aims to be the top league in Japan and the world. Four teams, both men's and women's, are based in Aichi Prefecture: Toyoda Gosei Blue Falcon Nagoya, Daido Steel Phenix TOKAI, Toyota Auto Body Brave Kings Kariya, and HC Nagoya. -
SV. LEAGUE is a Japanese semi-professional volleyball league whose first season began in October 2024. It is organized by the General Incorporated Association SV. LEAGUE. Four teams are based in Aichi Prefecture: JTEKT Stings Aichi, Wolfdogs Nagoya, Quincys Kariya, and Denso Airy Bees.
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.
