The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, marking the first time in 32 years that the event takes place in Japan. During the Games, excitement spreads not only at the competition venues but also throughout the streets of Aichi and Nagoya.
This time, we experienced the appeal of the Games throughout the day, from cheering on the fencing competition featuring Kyosuke Matsuyama, an athlete from JTB (a major Japanese travel agency that operates FUN! JAPAN), to watching women’s basketball, and visiting the official celebration fan zone “ONE ASIA WORLD.”
The day I visited was September 22. In the morning, I cheered on the fencing competition held at Aichi Sky Expo, then watched women’s basketball at Aichi International Arena in the afternoon. In the evening, I returned to the fencing venue. In between, I also stopped by “ONE ASIA WORLD” held at Hisaya Odori Park, fully enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Games.
I experienced the unique excitement of the Asian Games, from the intense matches and cheers at each event to the interactions among people from various Asian countries and regions. In this report, I’ll share the passion and excitement of the Asian Games as I visited various venues throughout the day.
🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here
🛫Book your flight ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here
😄Enjoy a more convenient trip to Japan with NAVITIME eSIM!👉Click here
👉Book Hotels & Ryokan on JAPANiCAN🏨
Fencing: Watching the Morning Qualifiers Up Close—Experience World-Class Tactics
The day began with watching the men’s individual foil fencing competition at Aichi Sky Expo. When I arrived at the nearest station, Chubu Centrair International Airport Station, many visitors were already heading toward the venue. The flow of people from the station to the venue showed just how much attention the Games were attracting.
Upon entering the venue, the athletes were in the middle of their warm-ups before the competition. The distance between the spectator seats and the competition area was much closer than I had imagined, allowing us to see the athletes’ expressions and movements up close.
The highlight of the day was Kyosuke Matsuyama, a JTB athlete representing Japan. Before the match, he looked relaxed as he chatted with his wife, who is also a fencer, and other associates, but you could sense his growing focus on the competition. In the stands, a cheering squad of JTB employees could be seen. Waving original towels, handmade banners, and cheering boards, they sent enthusiastic support to Matsuyama.
Finally, the qualifiers began. As the matches started, the venue was enveloped in the unique atmosphere of fencing. The moments when the athletes faced each other were surprisingly quiet, with the audience focusing intently on each tactical exchange. Every time a point was scored, loud cheers and applause erupted, followed by silence once again. This repeated tension and excitement made the sport even more captivating.
Matsuyama demonstrated quick footwork and calm judgment, finishing the qualifying pool with four wins and one loss. Even after scoring, he showed little emotion and immediately focused on the next point, embodying the strength of a top athlete. He continued to perform steadily in the final tournament after qualifying, securing a spot in the semifinals to be held in the evening. When his victory was confirmed, the audience erupted in applause and cheers, and the entire venue was filled with joy.
We fully experienced the unique tension and excitement of the fencing venue, feeling both the powerful performance of player Matsuyama and the passionate cheers from the audience. Being able to watch top-level matches up close is one of the special attractions of the Asian Games. Looking forward to Matsuyama’s performance in the semifinals held in the evening, we headed to our next destination—the women’s basketball venue.
Basketball: In the afternoon, Aichi International Arena. Watching Japan’s women’s basketball team vs. the Philippines
When we arrived at the women’s basketball venue, Aichi International Arena, the place was bustling with many spectators. The excitement was palpable even before the game started.
The match we watched that day was the final group phase game between the Japanese women’s national basketball team and the Philippines. As we entered the arena, we found a completely different atmosphere from the fencing venue we had visited in the morning. If fencing is a sport where you hold your breath for split-second tactics, basketball is a sport of excitement where players and spectators come together as one. The anticipation grew even before the game began.
At the entrance, cheering balloon sticks were handed out for free, and the audience used them to make noise and support the Japanese team. Many fans could be seen in the stands wearing “JAPAN” towels and Japanese national team uniforms.
Once the game started, the excitement only increased. Every time the Japanese team scored, a huge cheer erupted, making the atmosphere feel like a live concert. During defense, loud chants of “Defense!” echoed throughout the arena, with the audience becoming part of the game and supporting the players.
From the beginning, the Japanese team took control and won convincingly against the Philippines. Of course, there were loud cheers for the Japanese team, but enthusiastic supporters for the Philippines were also present, and the voices cheering for each country and region echoed throughout the arena. This made us realize that even within the same Asian Games, each sport has its own unique appeal.
Enjoy even without a ticket! “ONE ASIA WORLD” at Hisaya Odori Park
During a break from watching the competitions, we visited “ONE ASIA WORLD,” held at Hisaya Odori Park. ONE ASIA WORLD is the official celebration and fan zone of the Asian Games. During the event period, it was held every day from 11:00 to 21:00 (hours vary by area), and was bustling with many visitors.
Unlike the competition venues, the appeal here is that you can enjoy the Asian Games even without a ticket. Live broadcasts of the competitions were shown on large screens, and visitors stopped to watch. In the evening, medalist celebrations were also held to honor the day’s achievements, allowing visitors to see the medalists up close.
The venue was filled with a diverse crowd, including families, groups of friends, people who stopped by while shopping or taking a walk, and tourists from overseas.
There were plenty of food booths offering gourmet cuisine from Asian countries and regions, as well as hands-on areas where visitors could casually try out different sports. Not only those who came to watch the competitions, but also families with children, people without tickets, and those interested in Asian culture and food—all kinds of people enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the event.
At "ONE ASIA WORLD," the venue was lively all day, with people getting excited at the public viewing area and taking commemorative photos at the photo spot featuring the event mascot "Honohon." The scene of so many people enjoying the Asian Games in a different kind of excitement from the competition venues left a strong impression, making it feel as if the entire city had become one big event venue.
Fencing: Back to the Fencing Venue to Cheer for Matsuyama’s Medal Challenge
In the evening, I headed back to Asia Sky Expo to watch the men’s individual foil semifinals. Matsuyama’s opponent was Kazuki Iimura, who is also a member of the Japanese national team. Since it was a match between teammates, there was a unique sense of tension in the air. The high-level battle between two athletes who knew each other well continued, and every point scored was met with loud cheers and applause.
Although Matsuyama narrowly lost in the semifinals, he won the bronze medal in the men’s individual foil. Meanwhile, Iimura went on to win the final, earning Japan’s first gold medal in the men’s individual foil in 20 years. Warm applause from the audience celebrated the efforts of both athletes. In the men’s team foil event held on September 25, the team, led by captain Matsuyama, performed brilliantly and won the gold medal. Following their individual efforts, the Japanese team united as one to take on the challenge and claim victory together, inspiring many spectators.
Summary | Enjoying the Asian Games Throughout the City
At the fencing venue, I felt the intensity of the athletes focusing on each strike; at the basketball venue, I experienced the excitement of the roaring crowd; and at Hisaya Odori Park, I was able to experience the culture and food of various Asian countries and regions. Above all, being able to witness the efforts of Kyosuke Matsuyama from JTB up close was a memorable experience unique to this day.
Not only the serious competitions of top athletes, but also the cheers of the crowd filling the venues, the exchange events and public viewings held throughout the city—Aichi and Nagoya as a whole became the stage for the Games. Whether watching the competitions or just visiting the city, everyone could enjoy the Asian Games in their own way. It was a day that truly showcased the appeal of the event.
🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here
🛫Book your flight ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here
😄Enjoy a more convenient trip to Japan with NAVITIME eSIM!👉Click here
👉Book Hotels & Ryokan on JAPANiCAN🏨
Comments