Japanese fencing has been gaining attention thanks to its strong performances in recent international tournaments. Still, many people may feel they don’t really understand the rules or how to enjoy watching it.
This time, at "XR Fencing," jointly hosted by JTB and Canon, the techniques of Kyosuke Matsuyama—who has won international tournaments—were digitized. Through an MR (Mixed Reality) device, you can experience the thrill as if the match were happening right in front of you.
We joined the experience to see firsthand the appeal of fencing and the new possibilities for spectating.
Why Fencing Now?
Japanese fencing is often called the strongest in history, yet it remains a minor sport with only around 7,000 registered players. Many people have never even watched a match. The rules seem confusing, it’s hard to know the exact moment a point is scored, and the tip of the sword is nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. For beginners, the hurdles feel quite high. What solves these issues is "XR." It lets you experience the excitement of fencing in a real, tangible way—which is exactly why XR Fencing is perfect for first-time spectators.
What is XR Fencing?
"XR" is a general term for innovative technologies (AR/VR/MR) that blend the real and digital virtual worlds. At this "XR Fencing" event, you can actually experience fencing with Kyosuke Matsuyama’s performance! By combining reality and computer graphics with high precision through an MR device, you can closely observe and feel the speed of sword movements and exchanges that the naked eye can’t fully catch, through slow motion or changing viewpoints. You can instantly understand the flow of attacks, such as the moment a move lands or when a point is scored, making it easy even for beginners to enjoy intuitively.
Fencing Basics for Beginners
o what kind of sport is fencing in the first place? Let’s go over the essentials.
Fencing is a combat sport using swords. On a narrow 14m-long strip called a piste, athletes known as fencers face off one-on-one, clashing with slender, flexible swords. There are three types of swords, each with different cross-sections and flexibility: "Foil," "Épée," and "Sabre." The type of weapon and the scoring target areas determine the event. There are both individual and team matches. Individual matches are played in three 3-minute sets, with victory going to the first fencer to reach 15 points. Team matches involve three members per team, fighting in a round-robin format across nine 3-minute bouts, with the first team to reach 45 points winning.
Differences Between Events (Foil / Épée / Sabre) – Quick Reference Table
| Event | Shape and Features of the Sword | Valid Target Area (scoring area) | Attack Methods | Priority Rules | Competition Style and Characteristics |
| Foil (Fleuret) | Total length 110 cm or less, weight 500 g or less. A light, thin sword used only for thrusting. | Torso excluding head and limbs. Bib mask (cloth part) also counts. | Only thrusting | Yes. The fencer who initiates the attack gains "priority." If both land a hit at the same time, the one with priority scores. | Elegant and stylish with "blade work." Speedy exchanges and tactical duels are key features. |
| Épée | Total length 110 cm or less, weight 770 g or less. The heaviest among the three. A sword used only for thrusting. | Entire body | Only thrusting | No. The one who hits first wins. If both hit at the same time, both score. | The simplest and most straightforward. Strategies like waiting for the opponent to attack or counterattacking are common. |
| Sabre | Total length 105 cm or less, weight 500 g or less. A flat, light sword. | Upper body including head (above the waist). | Both thrusting and cutting | Yes. Same as foil. The one with priority scores when both hit at the same time. | The fastest and most dynamic. Both cut and thrust are allowed, making it very speedy and spectacular. |
Core Rules: Target Areas, Scoring, and Right of Way
Foil targets only the torso, Épée targets anywhere from head to toe, and Sabre targets only the upper body. Foil and Épée allow thrusts only, while Sabre allows both thrusts and cuts. When a valid target is hit, a colored light turns on and the fencer who struck scores a point. Foil and Sabre use "priority," which is given to the fencer who extends their arm and points their sword at the opponent first. If both land a valid hit at the same time, the point goes to the fencer with priority. However, if the attack is blocked, priority transfers to the opponent. In Épée, there is no priority, so if both land a hit simultaneously, both score.
Highlights for First-Time Spectators: Rhythm, Initiative, and Distance
In Foil, matches are a back-and-forth of skillful blade work. The rapid cycle of attack, defense, counterattack, and counter-counterattack is the main appeal. Battles for priority and defensive maneuvers are part of the thrill. Épée, like Foil, scores with thrusts, but since the whole body is a valid target, lightning-fast thrusts within 1/25th of a second are required. This creates intense tension, with the atmosphere heavy with focus throughout the match. The appeal lies in its fast pace and constant shifts. Unlike Foil and Épée, which allow only thrusts, Sabre also includes cuts, making it the most dynamic of the three, with fierce exchanges from the very first move.
How to Start Watching or Attending Matches
If you want to see a live match for yourself, we recommend the 78th All Japan Fencing Championships, scheduled to be held this November and December. This is the biggest tournament in Japan, with team competitions in foil, épée, and sabre (Nov. 21–23 at Mutsu Maeda Arena) and individual competitions (Dec. 26–28 at Tokyo Minato City Sports Center). Both men’s and women’s matches feature top-level athletes competing intensely. Some of the matches will also be streamed live on the official YouTube channel of the "Japan Fencing Federation." On the channel, you can also watch recordings of past events such as the World Cup and other tournaments held in Japan.
👀 YouTube channel of the "Japan Fencing Federation"
If you’d like to learn more about fencing, check out the official website of the "Japan Fencing Federation." You’ll find information about other regional tournaments, as well as domestic player rankings.
👉 Official Website of the Japan Fencing Federation (Japanese & English)
XR Fencing Experience Report
Finally, time to try "XR Fencing" for the first time! The experience lasts about 3 minutes and up to 4 people can join at once. After registration, we were guided to our seats. Holding the MR device—special goggles—in both hands, we enjoyed the 3D images that appeared.
Waiting with excitement for the start, suddenly on the small table in front of us appeared miniature versions of fencer Kyosuke Matsuyama and his opponent! The 3D visuals looked almost real. Before the match began, the video explained the differences between the fencing disciplines and the basic rules.
When we shifted our gaze from the table to the open space, we could see life-sized athletes too. It felt just like watching a real match unfold right before our eyes! It was so realistic it seemed we could reach out and touch them. Since the movements were digitally visualized, we could clearly see details that are too fast for the naked eye, as well as the impact of each technique. Best of all, beginners could appreciate fencing even more by watching moves in slow motion from every angle—something impossible in real matches!
Matsuyama scored a brilliant touch on the target area with his elegant swordplay, securing victory! And just like that, the thrilling 3 minutes were over. The beautiful techniques completely drew us into the match atmosphere.
Interview with Fencer Kyosuke Matsuyama: The Potential of XR Fencing
This one-of-a-kind sports experience was made possible with Canon’s cutting-edge MR (Mixed Reality) system, "MREAL." We asked Kyosuke Matsuyama, who took part in this "XR Fencing" project, how he felt about it.
What did you think after experiencing "XR Fencing"?
"First of all, it was very refreshing since I had never experienced seeing myself from a 360-degree perspective during a match. By using XR, people can enjoy fencing matches up close with a real sense of presence. Unlike normal video, you can feel the true distance and atmosphere of the match, and it gives you the impression of standing right there at the same eye level as the athletes. Even for those who have never tried fencing, it’s easy to understand the trajectory of the moves and the moment when a valid touch is made. That makes it easier to convey the excitement and appeal of fencing, which I think is really great."
The Potential and Future of "XR Fencing"
"Fencing is still a minor sport with a relatively small number of participants. Through 'XR Fencing,' I hope people can directly experience what fencing is all about and think 'This is fun!' This kind of experience is valuable and could even inspire children to one day try fencing themselves."
Being able to watch a fencing match from the perspective of an athlete is a rare opportunity…! "XR Fencing" has the potential to boost awareness and interest in the sport, ultimately increasing the number of participants. It also raises expectations as a future style of sports viewing.
Could XR Change the Way We Experience and Travel?
XR is expected to expand beyond fencing to create new sports experiences, opening up more possibilities for the future of sports viewing. This experience, created through the collaboration of JTB and Canon, isn’t quite ready for general use yet. However, the aim is to develop new tourism experiences and advance sports tourism using XR technology, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Experiences You Can Try Right Now to Learn Through XR
Finally, here are some XR attractions and content you can experience today.
XR Theater & Café JapaDive Osaka
An entertainment facility where you can use VR goggles to immerse yourself in Japanese traditional performing arts and pop culture. In a screening of about 15 minutes, you can enjoy Noh, Kyogen, and performances by virtual artists. Comes with one drink and a Japanese sweet.
XR Theater & Café JapaDive Osaka
Access: 4 minutes on foot from Namba Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji, Yotsubashi, and Sennichimae Lines)
- Hours: 12:00–17:00 ※ Experience lasts 25 minutes (15 minutes + 10-minute break)
- Closed: Open daily
- Price: From ¥3,000 ※ Varies depending on seat type ※ Admission by reservation only
- Official site here
👉Book XR Theater & Café JapaDive Osaka
The XR RIDE - The Magic Words 'OSAKA-BEN' Bus Tour- *Until Wednesday, October 29, 2025
This buzzworthy bus tour uses cutting-edge XR technology. The front, ceiling, and side windows are all surrounded by displays, layering AR images over the actual view outside, creating an immersive experience. During the 40-minute ride through Osaka’s landmarks, you can also enjoy a unique chance to learn Osaka dialect alongside an AI character and a human guide.
This tour is available for a limited time until Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The XR RIDE - The Magic Words 'OSAKA-BEN' Bus Tour-
Address: Umekita Green Place Bus Parking Lot, 5-27 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from Osaka Station
- Route: Around JR Osaka / Osaka-Umeda Station → Nakanoshima area → Osaka Castle area → Around JR Osaka / Osaka-Umeda Station
- Hours: 11:00–18:00 *Until Wednesday, October 29, 2025, approx. 60 minutes
- Closed: Only operates on tour days
- Fee: ¥6,500
- Official site here
RED° TOKYO TOWER
At the foot of Tokyo Tower, a new kind of entertainment facility, "RED° TOKYO TOWER," has opened. Among the most popular attractions are the unique sport "Robot Fight," where you suit up in a robot to battle, and the thrilling VR ride "Flying Cinema," which spins you 360°. Enjoy a whole new dimension of entertainment where you can get moving and have fun.
RED° TOKYO TOWER
Address: 3F TOKYO TOWER Foot Town, 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from Higashi-Azabu-bashi Station
- Hours: 10:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00) *Varies by day
- Closed: Irregular
- Fees: 1-Day Passport [Weekdays] Adults ¥4,400, High School Students ¥3,600 (ages 16–18), Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥2,200 (ages 6–15) *Prices may vary depending on the day
- Official site here
Book RED° TOKYO TOWER
👉Book a 1-Day Passport (kkday)
👉Book a 1-Day Passport or Night Passport (Jalan)
Tokyo National Museum Museum Theater
The museum theater, where you can view works in VR, is especially popular. The massive screen projects ultra-high-definition 4K images, vividly bringing cultural treasures to life. From recreations of their original forms to spaces that feel as if you could actually touch the objects, the experience is full of impact. From Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (public holiday) to Sunday, December 21, 2025, the VR work "Kofuku-ji National Treasure Ashura Statue" will be shown.
Tokyo National Museum
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 10 minutes on foot from JR Ueno Station
- Hours: 9:30–17:00 *Until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and on Sundays when the following Monday is a national holiday
- Closed: Mondays, Dec 16, and year-end/New Year holidays
- Fee: [Admission] Adults ¥1,000, University Students ¥500 *Additional fee for Museum Theater: High school students and above ¥600, Elementary and Junior High School Students ¥300
- Official site here
👉 Apply for the Tokyo National Museum Guide & Ueno Area History Tour
XR may transform not only our travel and entertainment, but also sports viewing and sports instruction. The XR fencing experience we covered this time was a one-time event, but if you get the chance to attend similar events in the future, we highly recommend joining and experiencing the "future" for yourself!
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