FUN! JAPAN TRAVEL KANSAI OSAKA PREFECTURE

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WMG 2021 KANSAI Example Itinerary 2 - Experience Sports, Sightseeing, and Cultural Exchanges in a Single Trip

  • May 27, 2020
  • Jan 24, 2020
  • Monique Lu
# Kansai # WMGKansai2021

The WORLD MASTERS GAMES (WMG) is a giant international sports convention in which any sports lover over the age of 30 can participate. From the 14th until the 30th of May 2021, WMG will be held in Asia for the first time in Japan's Kansai region.

A total of 35 sports of 59 different disciplines including field and track, badminton, basketball, and swimming, will be held throughout the 10 prefectures of Osaka, Okayama, Kyoto, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Nara, Hyogo, Fukui, and Wakayama.

By paying the basic registration fee*, you are eligible to participate in 5 of the 59 disciplines available. One of the most appealing points of WMG 2021 is that you’re not limited to only one discipline. From here, we will introduce example itineraries 1 through 3 for those who want to participate in multiple sports and events.

Going forward, we will separate and introduce example Itineraries 1 through 3 for people who want to participate in multiple sports and events. Due to the wealth of sports lovers from many different countries around the world who might not have much experience with competitions, for our 2nd article, we will introduce sports that anyone can easily participate in: table tennis, soft tennis, badminton, bowling, and ground golf. This example Itinerary will show you how to spend 20 days enjoying not only sports but a variety of other activities and experiences. Each sport introduced in this article can be played together with multiple people, so why not invite your family and friends to experience WMG 2021 KANSAI with you?

- Multiple Sport Participation Example Itinerary 1 👉WMG 2021 KANSAI Example Itinerary 1 - Experience Sports, Sightseeing, and Cultural Exchanges in a Single Trip!

*Depending on the sport/event, there may be additional fees. If you only wish to spectate the event, there is no fee or registration required for entry. 

Schedule (Outline)

20-day duration from 5/13 2021 (Thurs) to 6/1 (Tues)

Participation Events (Outline)

・Table Tennis – Men’s/Women’s Team Matches (5/15/21 (Sat) - 5/17/21 (Mon))👉Important Information About Table Tennis

・Soft Tennis - Recreational Division / Doubles (5/19/21 (Wed) - 5/20/21 (Thu))👉Important Information About Soft Tennis

・Badminton - Singles matches / Recreational Division / Doubles (5/19/21 (Wed) - 5/21/21 (Fri))👉Important Information About Badminton

・Bowling - Doubles (5/23/21 (Sun))👉Important Information About Bowling

・Ground Golf (5/28/21 (Fri) - 5/29/21 (Sat))👉Important Information About Ground Golf

*Please make sure to check all contest rules, safety information and important information listed at the above links.

Day 1 - After Arrival, Head to Opening Village (5/13/21 (Thurs))

You will arrive in Japan 1 day prior to the opening ceremony of the WMG 2021 KANSAI . Once you have arrived, you should first head to Opening Village in Kyoto where the opening ceremony will take place. Once you have arrived there, finish your registration for events to receive your Original Participation Kit and travel pass. Once you have received these items, you can begin your travels around Kansai. Please note there are 9 different prefectures throughout Kansai all with their own “village” where participants can meet up, such as “Masters Village” or “Center Village” which is close to Osaka Station. All of these villages handle registration and guidance for the event.

How to use your travel pass

The KANSAI ONE PASS, which you should have received at Opening Village upon registration, is an IC card that is accepted by all major public transport companies throughout Kansai. You pass through ticket gates at stations with a simple touch of the card. The card comes charged with 2500 yen. You can, however, charge it whenever you need to, meaning you will never have to deal with the inconvenience purchasing tickets each time you travel by train. There is also a 7-day pass which will allow you to ride on all JR train lines throughout the Kansai area. Since this plan covers 20 days of travel, we recommend using the KANSAI ONE PASS. Use this pass on the first day to head towards Hyogo prefecture’s Kobe City where the first scheduled events will be held.

Day 2 - The Opening Ceremony and Travel to Kyoto (5/14/21 (Fri))

After participating in the official practice for table tennis in Kobe, head to Kyoto for the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony hosts sports lovers from many different countries around the world and presents the perfect chance to make some new friends. You may even decide to explore the surrounding areas, try some new foods, and see the sights Kansai has to offer together during your trip.

・For more of Kyoto’s sightseeing information, click here👉 https://kyoto.travel/en/

・For more interesting spots to see in Kyoto, check out these articles👇

Days 3-5 – Sightseeing in Kobe and Table Tennis (5/15/21 (Sat) - 5/17/21 (Mon))

For your first competition, you’ll be participating in level B for Beginners (playing for hobby and exchange). While you’re surely competing in the games to win, don’t forget to talk with other participants and enjoy the social aspect of the event as well. There are plenty of great sights to see in the harbour town of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, such as its traditional western style residences. It’s not only the perfect spot for people wanting to take pictures to post on their social media pages, but also the home of world-famous Kobe beef. Don’t miss your chance to experience all Kobe has to offer while you’re here!

For more of Kobe’s sightseeing information, click here👉https://plus.feel-kobe.jp/en/

For more interesting spots to see in Kobe, check out these articles👇

Days 6-9 - Soft Tennis in Fukuchiyama or Badminton in Kyoto (5/18/21 (Tues) - 5/21/21 (Fri))

It’s time to head to Kyoto where you’ll be taking part in your 2nd competition. Fukuchiyama City, which is where the soft tennis games will be held, is known as the meat-lover’s paradise of the Kansai area. The ratio yakiniku (Korean BBQ) restaurants compared to the actual population of the area is astounding. Furthermore, yakiniku is not the only thing to get excited for here. The entire area is rich in restaurants that serve plenty of meat dishes such as sukiyaki, roasted pork fillet, hamburgers, steaks, and more.

Those over the age of 35 are eligible to take part in the badminton competition held in Kyoto. While in Kyoto, enjoy your fill of tea and sweets whilst resting both body and mind. Use this time to rest and prepare for the second half of your matches.

For more of Fukuchiyama’s sightseeing information, click here👉 https://dokkoise.com/

For more interesting spots to see in Fukuchiyama, check out these articles👇

For more of Kyoto’s sightseeing information, click here👉https://ja.kyoto.travel/


Days 10-12 - Bowling in Tokushima (5/22/21 (Sat) - 5/24/21 (Mon))

It’s time to head to Tokushima Prefecture for the 3rd event: bowling. To reach Tokushima, first head towards Osaka’s center village from Kyoto, then, use the special competition Tokushima shuttle bus to easily reach the area. Since registration for the bowling tournament is on the morning of the day of the game itself, you use the time before and after the event to explore the Tokushima area. Why not learn about the Awa Odori Festival, which boasts over 400 years of history, at the Awa Odori Kaikan? Or check out the Mount Bizan Ropeway from which you can see the entirety of Tokushima City. You might even want to try some Tarai Udon or Awa-odori chicken the area is famous for.

To get around within Tokushima, you can use a special pass available for use only on Tokushima JR Lines that allows you to ride as much as you want within a 5-day period. (Excludes certain lines and areas.)

・For more of Tokushima’s sightseeing information, click here👉 https://funfun-tokushima.jp.e.agf.hp.transer.com/

・For more interesting spots to see in Tokushima, check out these articles👇


Days 13-16 - Tottori Prefecture and Ground Golf (5/25/21 (Tues) - 5/28/21 (Fri))

Finally, we’ll head to Yurihama, Tottori, where the ground golf event will be held. To reach Tottori Prefecture, take the shuttle bus from Tokushima Station to Osaka Station, then use your Kansai Wide Area Pass to ride the Limited Express Train Super Hakuto (unreserved seats only) to reach Kurayoshi Station. In Yurihama, where the event is taking place, there are various hot springs such as Hawai Hot Springs and Togo Hot Springs. Worry not if you aren’t used to Japanese bathing customs; you can enjoy these large public bathing areas and hot springs in a bathing suit. The event crew will hold a welcome reception for ground golf participants on the 27th (Thurs). This is a great chance to enjoy cultural exchange with other participants prior to the start of the event, so don’t forget to attend!

Before the event starts, use your Kansai Wide Area Pass to visit Tottori. We recommend enjoying a walk along the Tottori Sand Dunes. Tottori also boasts the highest production of crab in the entirety of Japan. During the WMG 2021 event, the Red Snow Crab is typically in season, so don’t miss out on the chance to try this local delicacy.

・For more of Tottori’s sightseeing information, click here👉http://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/

・For more interesting spots to see in Tokushima, check out these articles👇

Days 17-19 – Return to Osaka for the Closing Ceremony (5/29/21 (Sat) - 5/31/21 (Mon))

At the end of our journey it’s time to return to Osaka for the closing ceremony. It is planned to take place at Osaka Castle Hall within Osaka Castle Park. Take this opportunity to meet up with all of your teammates you met through the various events you took part in during your stay. Don’t forget to check out the castle tower in Osaka Castle Park before leaving!

For more of Osaka’s sightseeing information, click here👉https://osaka-info.jp/en/

For more interesting spots to see in Osaka, check out these articles👇

Day 20 - Returning Home（6/1/21 (Tues))

Well done on completing your 20-day journey! It was a long journey filled with fun adventures, but now it’s time to head home while looking back over the amazing memories you created at WMG 2021 KANSAI .

Did you enjoy our itinerary? We’ll be introducing various other plan examples in the future to help you enjoy both WMG 2021 KANSAI and the sights the surrounding areas have to offer.

The start of registration for WMG 2021 KANSAI begins on the 2nd of February 2020. All applications will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis per competition type. When the event has reached its maximum number of participants, the registration will be closed. If you intend to participate, make sure to decide which events you want to join in January and then register in February as soon as possible.

Events Page 👉https://wmg2021.jp/en/games/list

Things to Keep in Mind

• Visa Exemptions by Country and Region (Short-term Stay): Citizens of countries other than Indonesia, Thailand (15 days), Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia (90 days), must register for a visa prior to visiting Japan. There may be changes to visa exemptions and short-term stay durations, so please confirm the latest information with your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate general.

• Travel passes can only be used after registering for the competition. All transportation related fees required to reach the registration window from plane touchdown must be covered by participants.

• The itinerary introduced in this article is simply a suggestion. Please make sure to create a schedule based on your plans.

• The times and locations of events may change in the future. Please check the Official WMG 2021 Website for all of the latest details about WMG 2021. 

• For any questions or concerns regarding events and participation, please use the official WMG 2021 KANSAI Inquiry/Contact Page. 

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