Enjoy Japan’s national-level sports games near Misawa Air Base on Oct. 10 – 26!

A high school boy is jumping to serve a volleyball.

Beach Volleyball (Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

Sports fans near Misawa Air Base, mark your calendars for Aomori National Sports & Para Sports Festival 2026 that will be held Oct. 10-26!

The National Sports Festival will be held from Oct. 10-20, followed by the Para Sports Festival Oct. 23-26.

According to the event’s official website, it’s a must-see event, as Japan’s national-class athletes face off. Most of the events are admission-free (there will be a fee for some baseball games), and anybody can visit the venues to catch the action. According to Aomori TV (ATV) report, 800,000 athletes and spectators are expected to attend.

Since the national competition kicked off in 1946, each of 47 prefectures in Japan holds biannual competitions (fall and winter) on a rotating basis. During the games, athletes will represent their prefectures as they compete for the Emperor’s Cup (men) and the Empress’s Cup (women). Aomori Prefecture, where Misawa Air Base is located, will host the national competition the first time in 49 years.

While a total of 14 sports and 19 events will take place across various venues in Aomori Prefecture during the 15-day event, Misawa City will host hockey, basketball, baseball, softball and Jukendo (Japanese bayonet fighting martial art) competitions.

Prior to the main events in October, high school pre-tournaments are already underway. Yoshihito Morita, an employee of Misawa Commissary, recently visited some of the venues near Misawa City to watch hockey (Misawa City), handball (Noheji Town) and Beach volleyball (Aomori City).

“Through these three high school sports competitions, I was able to enjoy so many exciting games, enthusiasm and smiles, along with tears of the losers,” Morita said.

If you are in or near Misawa, don’t miss this great opportunity! Check out the schedule on the website and visit some venues to enjoy top-notch competition!