[Applications Open] Sports Culture Tourism Award 2026

## Call for Applications

The Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan Sports Agency, and the Japan Tourism Agency have launched the call for applications for the 'Sports Culture Tourism Award 2026,' as part of their efforts to promote sports culture tourism.

## About the 'Sports Culture Tourism Award'

The three agencies are promoting 'Sports Culture Tourism' to create new regional and Japanese brands, and to advance tourism and regional revitalization by integrating sports and cultural resources with tourism.

As part of this initiative, the 'Sports Culture Tourism Award' is held to select and recognize outstanding initiatives that combine sports or regional cultural resources with tourism.

## Application Details

Please check the following details and the application guidelines.

### Award Categories

This award consists of the following three main categories. Additionally, a Special Award is granted for outstanding initiatives related to Budo (Martial Arts), Japan Heritage, food culture, or new types of tourism.

#### Main Awards
- Sports Culture Tourism Award
- Sports Tourism Award
- Culture Tourism Award

#### Special Award
- Selected from outstanding initiatives in fields such as Budo, Japan Heritage, Food Culture, and new types of tourism.

### Eligibility Requirements

Events or initiatives that meet all of the following criteria (1-4) are eligible:

1. Initiatives that integrate 'tourism' with either or both of 'sports' and 'cultural resources' (Sports x Culture x Tourism, Sports x Tourism, Culture x Tourism).
2. Initiatives that promote an increase in domestic and international travelers, have mechanisms to encourage long-term stays, or include ideas that lead to economic ripples in the region.
3. Initiatives that lead to a steady increase in regional vitality.
4. Events held multiple times since 2019 (preliminary events, test events, or explanatory meetings are not included).

### Application Period

From Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to 17:00 on Monday, August 31, 2026.

### Support for Selected Initiatives

Selected initiatives will receive the following support:

- Award presentation by the commissioners of the three agencies at the '10th Sports Culture Tourism Symposium' scheduled for January-February 2027.
- For Main Award recipients, exhibition opportunities will be provided at 'Tourism EXPO Japan' scheduled for 2027.

### How to Apply

Application guidelines and forms can be downloaded from the official Agency for Cultural Affairs website.

## Contact Information

- Submission: Tourism Resources Division, Tourism Region Promotion Department, Japan Tourism Agency
- Email: hqt-sports@ki.mlit.go.jp
- Phone: 03-5253-8925 (Direct)
- Inquiries: General Affairs Section, Counselor (Cultural Hubs), Agency for Cultural Affairs
- Phone: 03-5253-4111 (Ext. 4869)