Last Update : 2011/9/8
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Spo-tour-navi is a tourism portal site operated by the Tourism Agency
Topics
Significance of sport tourism
There are abundant sport resources in Japan
First, in spectator sports, there are plenty of games ranging from professional baseball leagues and J-leagues that can be proud of their high levels and enchant a multitude of fans.
Next, in the case of practical sports, running, walking, cycling, etc. have been gaining popularity beyond generations, and the people gathering in sports events have been activating regions.
Moreover, Supporting Sports such as management of sports teams closely cooperating with regions, assistance for sports events as citizen volunteers, international game events backed up by states and regions altogether, and attractions for camps have been contributing to send effective signals for attractions.
Sports generate impressions, inspire communication among people and promote mutual understanding between different countries and regions. That is, it can be said sports and tourism are closely related.
At a time when the domestic demand by tourism has rapidly become necessary, we must make the best use of these attractive sport resources to make it a stimulus for the expansion of inbound and the promotion of domestic tourism.
Message from Commissioner of the Tourism Agency
Spo-tour-days of this month by Hiroshi Mizohata, a man igniting a storm ♪~(Updated July 30, 2010)

Commemorative photo after an interview with the winner of triathlon
How are you all! This is an update of the last two months.
How did you spend the three consecutive holidays of July? I visited Tottori Prefecture for the 30th All Japan Triathlon Kaike Meeting. As a sport event rooted in the locality, iron men gave a wonderful showing in the race under the hot midsummer sun and high temperatures, invigorating each region in unison, with support from 4000 volunteers. I was also deeply moved by the aspect of cutting the goal tape hand in hand with families and fellows.
The following day of the meeting, I delivered a speech and acted as the presenter of special awards at the closing ceremony. I extended my message to all the people present with uncontrollable passion stemming from the impression of the players, who fought intense races, and respect to the people who devoted themselves to the operations for the meeting, including organizers, volunteers and others.
During my travel at this time, I visited the tourism resources located in various districts in Tottori Prefecture, in addition to attending meetings, and I realized that there abounded wonderful treasures such as nature, traditions, and local cuisines not to mention sports tourism resources. I felt it was a region with an enormous potential that will bring out sufficient effects for the expansion of inbound and the promotion of domestic tourism by packaging with story lines for these resources.
In view of sports tourism, the West district of Tottori Prefecture, with mountains and the sea closely located and satisfactory access from the airport, you can enjoy a full package of sports tourism, the harvest of sea and food from mountains, and obtain healing by soaking in a hot spring after experiencing various sports of both sea and land. Viewing from the aspect of nature, you can enjoy the beautiful Mount Oyama which has various features according to different viewing angles, and geo-tourism along the Sanin seacoast lately authorized as a geo-park, not to mention the Tottori dunes. Although I was guided by Governor Hirai himself, I was really overwhelmed by the natural beauty and magnificence, and my mind was relaxed to the extent that all my trifling worries were blown away.
Moreover, speaking of Tottori Prefecture, we can also mention a comic artist and mogul, Shigeru Mizukli! Not to mention the well-known GeGeGe Kitaro. Yonago Airport has taken on this ghost's name to become the Yonago Kitaro Airport, aiming to increase the number of tourists with concerted actions in the region. Although I experienced the ghost shower and Mizuki Shigeru way from the ceiling painting, I reconnected with Kitaro, well-known from my childhood, and enjoyed Kitaro's father (Medama-oyaji) and the wonderful impersonations. It indeed is a tourism resource that can be enjoyed by both adults and children of families!
In this way, there are plenty of regions offering inherent attractions and where sports and tourism can be truly enjoyed by visiting and experiencing them, not only in Tottori Prefecture but in everywhere throughout Japan. Since I will communicate to you the attractions of Japan’s tourism in the future on a hands-on policy basis like a salesman, please pay attention to my messages!!

Conferring of special award (for finishers)

At the ferry for Geo-park with Governor Hirai (second from left)

Beauty spot at Sanin Geo-park (Senkan Matsushima)
Sports information corner
Here I introduce websites for each sports association and team. (add linked URL as needed)
Sports events supported by the Tourism Agency
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ZERO EMISSION ECO INBA
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Fukuoka West Sub-Center Street Walking 2010
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2010 bj-KBL Championship Games
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Tokyo Edomae Triathlon 2010
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The 31th Tateyama Wakashio Marathon
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2010 Japan Cup Cycle Road Race
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JBV Tour 2010 8th Game “Pevonia Familio Tateyama Cup”
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Tokyo Earth-Ride 2010
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FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Round 16 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX SUZUKA 2010
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Sports Commission Symposium 2 – Aiming at the Regional Activation Utilizing Sports -
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Yokohama Seaside Triathlon in Yokohama Hakkeijima Seaparadise
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Summer Vacation Sports Kids Town Festa 2010
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World Judo Championships Tokyo 2010
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Sunport Takamatsu Triathlon 2010 – Setouchi International Sports Festival 2010 -
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TOUR DE FUKUOKA – Top- runner city FUKUKA creates the future of Asia -
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Marine Diving Fair 2011
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The 6th Friendship Cycle Festival in Fuji Speedway
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Japan-Korea Communications Hiratsuka Tanabata Commemorating Succor Pre-season Match
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The 20th World Children’s Baseball Games
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Sports Commission Symposium – Aiming to activate regions utilizing sports -
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IRONMAN 70.3 centrair Tokoname Japan
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AIDA Free Diving World Championships 2010 Okinawa
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The 30th All Japan Triathlon Kaike
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Women’s Volleyball World Championship JAPAN 2010
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The 1st Tateyama Wakashio Triathlon
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SANIX 2010 WORLD RUGBY YOUTH TORNAMENT
Spo – Tour – TV
Tourism Information Corner
Free paper with special offer coupons for sporting events
Japan is full of wonderful sports facilities encouraging people all throughout Japan to excitedly enjoy viewing sports or to actively take up sports themselves, whether young or old.
Viewing or taking part in events or sports held in the Tokyo area using the coupons in this free paper for can bring fantastic encounters a little different from shopping or sightseeing at famous spots.