Beach Handball made its debut at the ‘Japan Beach Games Festival Odaiba 2024’ with a trial event which took place earlier this month on the human-made island of Odaiba, the popular shopping and entertainment district situated in Tokyo Bay.

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May, ‘Thetis Tokyo’ Beach Handball club showcased the sport with its players and coaching staff engaging young people and adults at the festival which started back in 2017 and which saw over 30,000 people attend over the two days this year.

One of the main aims of the festival, according to its website, is to promote and popularise ‘beach and marine sports competitions in Japan’ which it does by ‘giving the public the opportunity to watch and experience games of various sports through specific events,’ through the creation of a ‘barefoot theme park’ where visitors ‘can experience beach and marine sports, and interact with top athletes, to have the opportunity to experience beach sports more closely’.

Looking to capitalise on the interest from the event in Odaiba, the first Beach Handball tournament organised by Thetis Tokyo will also be held in the Japanese capital, with a celebration of the sport set to take place on Tachihi Beach in Tachikawa City, Tokyo on Sunday 21 July.
 

“I wanted to create a tournament like the ones I experienced in Europe, where there is a festival atmosphere, but where the games are serious and the players play great,” said founder of Thetis Tokyo and Official Beach Handball Ambassador for the Japan Handball Association (JHA), Rika Yahara, to ihf.info.

“After reading an IHF feature on me a few years ago, a Spanish team invited me to join them which allowed me to participate in various European competitions with them every year. 

“At these tournaments I was surprised not only by the high level of the players, but also by the size of the competition and I am very eager to share with Japan what I have experienced in Europe.”

And it was not just what Yahara experienced on the sand in Europe which inspired her to set up her own tournament, but off the sand too.

“When I first competed in European competitions, I was surprised that they often included meals together as in Japan, there are many convenience stores, so each of us buys food there and eats,” she said. 

“I thought the culture of talking and eating together with all the competitors was very nice. The Thetis Tokyo tournament will take place at the BBQ (barbecue) place at Tachihi Beach where we practice, so it seemed fitting to hold it there.

“It has an artificial beach where beach soccer and beach volleyball matches are also often held. All levels of children and adults are invited, and players and audiences will be able to enjoy a BBQ after the games.”

In recent years Japan has seen an increase in the number of Beach Handball teams with 11 men's teams and seven women's teams participating at last year’s All Japan Beach Handball Championships.

Yahara and Thetis continue to promote the sport at all levels, recently providing a ‘Beach Handball Experience’ for third to sixth-grade elementary school students (9-12 years old) and a showcase event at the request of the JHA both in Shibuya, the famous entertainment district of the Tokyo Metropolis.

“Shibuya is a world-famous place and is crowded with shoppers and tourists so it's a very good place to promote Beach Handball,” said Yahara. “For the showcase event, we set up a court on the roof of a very famous building, but it's a bit small, so official matches were not possible.
 

“The event featured top female athletes with players from Thetis Tokyo and SWAG combining together to play Kunoichi Kunoichi. Everyone had a very exciting time and it was a great opportunity to see top level Japanese Beach Handball matches in Tokyo.”

For Yahara and the rest of the Beach Handball community in Japan there is hope that the continued growth of the sport will be sustainable and provide opportunities for its players and coaches to represent their clubs and country at home – the 2024 All Japan Beach Handball Championship will be played from 26 to 27 October this year – and on the world stage.

“Japan rarely participates in international competitions and even though I have personally experienced the top competitions in the world such as playing in Nazare, Portugal with my Spanish team, I would like to compete in Asia with a Japanese team,” she said.

“The Japan Handball Association is preparing for it, and I am appealing to them too for the chance. Japanese Beach Handball teams practice hard and some even compete in international tournaments themselves.

“I believe that Thetis Tokyo head coach Ken Matsumoto is one of the best coaches in Japan and with many new players and members for our club I believe we can become the best in Japan again. All of our players have experience, but above all, we love the sport and enjoy it.

“For all of us in Japan, by not only participating in matches, but also through teaching children and organising tournaments, the Japan Beach Handball circle will expand even further with more and more people wanting to experience it.”

Photo credit: Jason Halayko