Japan Frescobol Association Announces "Traveling, Communication Design Sport" as New Tagline for 'FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR'; 2nd Stage Kicks Off June 6-7 in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture

The Japan Frescobol Association (JFBA, Representative Director Kenji Kuboshima), an incorporated general association promoting "Communication Design Sport" Frescobol domestically, is pleased to announce "Traveling, Communication Design Sport" as the new tagline for the 'FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR,' with the 2nd stage set to open in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in June.

Frescobol, a beach sport originating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1945. Since the JFBA's establishment in 2013, its unique competitive nature—a scored competition where two players cooperate to continue rallies—has captivated many Frescobol players across Japan.

In 2022, the annual series name for determining Japan's representatives was changed from "Frescoball Champion Race" to "FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR." Activities have continued with the goal of "contributing to the creation of related populations, sports promotion, and sports tourism through official match hosting," expanding tournament venues to areas such as Iwate, Okinawa, Okayama, Kagawa, and Fukuoka Prefectures. This cumulative effort has given rise to a unique Japanese Frescobol culture of "enjoying Frescobol all year round, as if traveling." Recently, the first Awajishima tournament was held, attracting many players from across the country who also enjoyed sightseeing as part of their visit.

The Japan Championship is held annually in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the "sacred ground of the west"; the "contrast with the pine forest" of Tsuda's Matsubara is uniquely Japanese.

In 2025, it will be held for the first time on Fukuma Coast in Fukuoka, known as the "Shonan of Kyushu"; the urban beach of Odaiba will be the stage for a historic match.

Therefore, the JFBA has redefined Frescobol's intrinsic appeal as a "Communication Design Sport" at its core, while also acknowledging its strong affinity with "Sports Tourism" as characteristic of Frescobol. We are now adopting "There's a town I want to visit. There's a rally I want to play. Traveling, Communication Design Sport" as the tagline that embodies the current Frescobol culture, and will strengthen our promotional activities as a sport highly compatible with "Sports Tourism."

The 'FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR 2026' opened in Okinawa Prefecture in February, followed by official matches in Shonan, Awajishima, and Odaiba. From June 6-7, the first official match as the 2nd stage will be held at Sagara Sun Beach in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Spectating and experiencing are free. Why not join us for a "journey through Frescobol" and get a taste of the sport?

Outline of 'FRESCOBALL JAPAN TOUR 2026'

――1st Stage―― ① February 7th (Sat) - 8th (Sun) | Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture - Chura SUN Beach 『Frescobol Okinawa Cup 2026』 ② March 7th (Sat) - 8th (Sun) | Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture - Kugenuma Beach 『Frescobol Shonan Cup -Kugenuma- 2026』 ③ April 11th (Sat) - 12th (Sun) | Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture - Ohama Park 『Frescobol Awajishima Cup 2026』 ④ May 3rd (Sun) - 4th (Mon/Holiday) | Minato Ward, Tokyo - Odaiba Beach 『Frescobol JBG®F Odaiba Cup 2026』 ――2nd Stage―― ⑤ June 6th (Sat) - 7th (Sun) | Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture - Sagara Sun Beach 『Frescobol Makinohara Cup 2026』 ⑥ July 11th (Sat) - 12th (Sun) | Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture - Kirishima Beach Park 『Frescobol Kirishima Cup 2026』 ⑦ August 8th (Sat) - 9th (Sun) | Iwate Prefecture - Takatamatsubara Beach 『Frescobol Rikuzentakata Cup 2026』 ――Final Stage―― ⑧ September 19th (Sat) - 21st (Mon/Holiday) | Hyogo Prefecture (planned)

What is "Traveling, Communication Design Sport" Frescobol? Frescobol is a beach sport originating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was conceived in 1945 on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro and is now enjoyed on beaches around the world. The greatest feature of Frescobol is that two people facing each other do not compete, but rather cooperate to continue rallies, making it a scored competition. The game time is 5 minutes, and matches are played while maintaining a distance of 7m. It is also called the "sport of consideration" due to the way players cooperate to continue rallies. The JFBA reached a basic agreement in October 2025 with the Rio Frescobol Federation (FEFERJ) to establish 'UAFI,' the world's first international organization for unifying international rules. Furthermore, with Japan's unique Frescobol culture of "enjoying Frescobol all year round as if traveling" as its core, the association is strengthening promotional activities as a sport highly compatible with sports tourism. Domestically, 29 official regional clubs and 5 official student organizations are currently registered.