Earth Sports Day 2026

Events

Summary

performance For families

A sports day where people from all walks of life participate using their own special skills

People from all over the world will gather to hold a sports festival. It’s a multifaceted event packed with fun—featuring competitions, cheering contests, music, colorful banners, and a picnic lunch. “Earth’s Sports Festival” aims to create an even more diverse and vibrant event by inviting a large number of international participants to this traditional Japanese sports festival, where artists, musicians, and even non-professionals can showcase their unique talents.

Date and Time: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Venue: NUNAGAWA Campus
Reservations: Registration via Peatix is scheduled to open in early August (advance reservation required). Information regarding the participation fee will be announced when registration opens.

[Important Notes]
・The event will be canceled if severe weather is forecast in advance. In such cases, we will notify you via the email address provided at the time of reservation and on the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field official website three days prior (September 17).
・Please be aware that the event will be filmed for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field archives, and media representatives will be present to take photos and conduct interviews.
・Participants may be asked to refrain from taking photos. Please follow the announcements on the day of the event.
・The organizers assume no responsibility for loss or theft.
・Reselling tickets for profit is strictly prohibited under any circumstances.

【Organizer: Earth Sports Day Executive Committee】
Executive Committee Chair: Dai Tamesue (Japanese record holder in the 400m hurdles)
Advisors: Mayor of Tokamachi city, Tsunan town, Kitagawa Fram (General Director of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field)
Executive Committee Members: Toshiki Abe (Representative, Ridilab Co., Ltd.), Maki Kanai (Refugee and Immigrant Festival Executive Committee), Kurakake Junichi (Principal, NUNAGAWA Campus; Author), Mitsu Hara (Secretary General, NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization)
Participating Artists: Jun Oka, Toyofuku Ryo, Kanji Yumizashi, and others

Daichi Sports Day: Purpose of the Event

“Sports Day” is a “festival” where the entire community comes together to compete and have fun; it is a unique Japanese cultural tradition not found in other countries. Team events, cheering competitions, music during and between events, colorful cheering banners, and lunch time when the entire spectator area turns into a picnic venue… It is also a comprehensive art form that incorporates elements of physical education, music, art, and home economics.In 2024, as an official event of the 9th Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, the “Echigo-Tsumari Sports Day”—an Echigo-Tsumari-style sports day involving artists and experts from various fields—was held, bringing together a diverse group of approximately 500 people from 24 countries and regions to enjoy a fun-filled day together. This year, we will once again hold the “Earth Sports Day” in the Echigo-Tsumari region. We will further enliven this “Sports Day experience you can only have here”—where people from diverse backgrounds, including foreign residents in Japan, locals, children, adults, seniors, people with disabilities, companies, and educational institutions, gather to enjoy themselves together—through art, music, sports, and food. We hope you will join us.

Earth Sports Day Executive Committee

A look back at last year

Photo courtesy of Nihon University College of Art

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Photo courtesy of Nihon University College of Art

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Photo courtesy of Nihon University College of Art

Photography: Kurakake Junichi

Click here for the column "Art Comes from the Earth"

Summary

Date and time	Sunday, September 20, 2026
Venue	NUNAGAWA Campus Grounds (576 Murono, Tokamachi city, Niigata Prefecture)
Admission	We will provide you with the pricing details when registration opens.
Note	Advance reservations are required to attend the event. We plan to begin reception of applications in early August.

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