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Fresco Ball Miura Cup 2025: A Welcome Return to Miura Beach!

The Japan Fresco Ball Association (JFBA), led by director Kenji Kuboshima, has officially announced the Fresco Ball Miura Cup 2025, taking place at Miura Beach, Kanagawa Prefecture, on July 12-13. This marks the first official tournament in six years!

Miura Beach, a beloved location for Japan’s Fresco Ball scene, once hosted the Japan Open, known for its booming visitor numbers, peaking at over 1 million. However, following the pandemic, visitor numbers dwindled to around 80,000 in 2023, resulting in the cancellation of beach operations in the previous year due to a lack of applications from beach house operators.

Amidst these challenges, Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. has been brought on board to reinvigorate this vibrant location. They plan to transform it into 'MIURA FUN BEACH,' not only during the summer swimming season but also through beach sports, arts, and events throughout the year. The return of beach activities signifies the reopening of a popular seaside destination after a two-year hiatus.

Thanks to its vast, flat beach, Miura Beach has become a designated 'Beach Sports Area', making it an ideal venue for hosting the official Fresco Ball tournament, part of the Fresco Ball Japan Tour 2025. The second stage of the tour will feature the national team members who will also be participating in the Brazil Championship scheduled for June 7-8. This is an opportunity not to be missed for fans to witness the best rallies in Japan!

The visual design for the event will be handled by Asuka Watanabe, adding an artistic touch to the festivities.

At MIURA FUN BEACH, visitors can look forward to not just swimming but also indulging in local cuisine at the FUN Dining and various music events planned for the summer. Make sure to include Miura Beach in your summer itinerary!

Event Overview

• - Event Name: Fresco Ball Miura Cup 2025 - MIURA FUN BEACH Opening Commemorative Tournament
• - Dates: July 12 (Saturday) - 13 (Sunday), 2025
• - Location: Miura Beach, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture (MIURA FUN BEACH)
• - Organizer: Japan Fresco Ball Association (JFBA)
• - Cooperation: Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc.
• - Public Swimming Beach Duration: July 12 (Saturday) - August 31 (Sunday) (51 days)
• - Swimming Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
• - Access: JR and Keikyu Shinagawa Statio to Keikyu line, about 70 minutes to 'Miura Kaihin' Station, then a 5-minute walk. By car, around 10 minutes from 'Kinugasa IC' on the Yokohama-Yokosuka Road to 'Koenbo Exit' on the Miura Vertical Road.

What is Fresco Ball?

Fresco Ball is a beach sport that originated in Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, in 1945. It has gained popularity worldwide and is characterized as a unique, cooperative scoring sport rather than a competitive one. Players maintain a distance of 7 meters and rally against the clock for 5 minutes, emphasizing teamwork and communication, hence being dubbed a 'sport of compassion.' As of May 2025, there are 27 JFBA-certified regional clubs and 6 recognized student organizations in Japan, fostering community through Fresco Ball. Established in 2013, the JFBA actively works to promote this sport’s appeal and aims to set up clubs in all 47 prefectures in Japan by 2025.