#Japan #Sports #Shizuoka #Frescoball

FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR: A New Chapter in Sports Tourism

The Japan Frescoball Association (JFBA), under the leadership of Executive Director Kenji Kuboshima, recently announced the unveiling of a new tagline: "Traveling Communication Design Sports" for the FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR. The second stage of this exciting journey is set to launch on June 6-7 in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Originating in 1945 on the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Frescoball has grown from a beach pastime to a captivating sport in Japan since the establishment of the JFBA in 2013. Known as a unique competitive activity focused on collaboration, it has inspired many players across the nation to engage in its rallies.

In 2022, the annual series that determines the national representative was rebranded from "Frescoball Champion Race" to "FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR." This rebranding is accompanied by an expansion of tournament locations to include areas such as Iwate, Okinawa, Okayama, Kagawa, and Fukuoka, emphasizing the creation of community relationships through official matches and promoting sports tourism.

The recent addition of the Awajishima tournament marked a significant milestone, attracting athletes and tourists alike, eager to experience local culture while enjoying the sport.

The historic city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, known as the western sanctuary of Frescoball, hosts the National Championship annually, enriching the sport’s legacy in Japan. Looking ahead, the FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR will also introduce an urban beach event at Fukuma Beach in Fukuoka in 2025.

The JFBA is keen to redefine Frescoball's inherent appeal as a "Communication Design Sport," highlighting its synergy with sports tourism. The new tagline encapsulates the spirit of the sport: "There are towns to visit, rallies to play. Traveling, Communication Design Sports" creates an image that resonates deeply with the current culture of Frescoball in Japan.

In 2026, the tour is set to kick off on February 7-8 in Okinawa, followed by events in Shonan, Awajishima, and Odaiba. The future stages include the Makinohara Cup in Shizuoka on June 6-7, and events in Miyazaki and Iwate later in the summer. All viewers are welcome to attend for free to experience and engage with the sport, joining in the journey of Frescoball's unique travel-focused culture.

Overview of the FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR 2026

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1st Stage

1. February 7-8: ChuraSUN Beach, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa - Frescoball Okinawa Cup 2026
2. March 7-8: Kugenuma Beach, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa - Frescoball Shonan Cup 2026
3. April 11-12: Oham park, Sumoto City, Hyogo - Frescoball Awajishima Cup 2026
4. May 3-4: Odaiba Beach, Minato City, Tokyo - Frescoball JBG®F Odaiba Cup 2026

2nd Stage

5. June 6-7: Sagara Sun Beach, Makinohara City, Shizuoka - Frescoball Makinohara Cup 2026
6. July 11-12: Kirishima Beach Park, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki - Frescoball Kirishima Cup 2026
7. August 8-9: Takata Matsubara Beach, Iwate - Frescoball Rikuzen Takata Cup 2026

Final Stage

8. September 19-21: Hyogo (Tentative)

What is Frescoball?

Frescoball is a unique beach sport that started in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Conceived in 1945 at Copacabana Beach, it has now become popular on beaches worldwide. What sets Frescoball apart is that it is a scoring activity based on collaboration rather than competitive rivalry. Matches are played for five minutes, maintaining a distance of seven meters between competitors. This cooperative approach to scoring has led to Frescoball being referred to as a "sport of empathy."

The JFBA is working toward international rule unification by collaborating with the Rio Frescoball Federation (FEFERJ) to establish a global organization called UAFI by October 2025. With a vision to promote Frescoball as a sport that can be enjoyed throughout the year while traveling, its integration with sports tourism continues to gain momentum. Currently, there are 29 registered regional clubs and five accredited student organizations in Japan, marking a significant step in the sport's growth.

Join us on this exciting journey as we embrace the world of Frescoball and the vibrant culture it fosters!