The Asian Games are not only about medals and sporting competition. They also provide an opportunity to discover the cities and venues that become part of the event. As Japan prepares to host the 2026 Asian Games, Okazaki City in AichiPrefecture will be one of the places welcoming athletes from across Asia.
Located around 35 kilometres southeast of Nagoya, Okazaki is a historic former castle town known for its samurai heritage, natural surroundings and local traditions. At the heart of its sporting landscape is the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium, which will host archery and volleyball during the Asian Games.
A versatile sporting venue
The Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium is a major sporting facility that opened in 1991 in the West Mikawa region. It has seating for more than 3,000 spectators and includes a martial arts hall, two training halls and a training room.
Its main arena covers around 2,646 square metres and can be adapted for different sports. Depending on the layout, it can accommodate four volleyball courts, three basketball courts, 12 badminton courts, two handball courts or up to 50 table tennis tables.
The gymnasium regularly hosts professional, amateur and community competitions. It also serves as a home venue for a men’s team in Japan’s SV League and has hosted professional basketball matches. Major volleyball events have also been held at the venue.
However, the gymnasium is not used only for professional sport. When major competitions are not taking place, schools, corporate clubs and local residents use the facility for training, tournaments and recreational activities. That community connection is an important part of the venue’s identity.
A city shaped by history and nature
While the gymnasium represents modern Japanese sport, Okazaki’s identity goes much further back. The city is a former castle town with a strong connection to Japan’s samurai history. Okazaki Castle remains one of its best-known landmarks and plays an important role in the city’s cultural identity.
Okazaki also offers a mix of urban spaces and nature. The city sits between the Mikawa Mountains and the fertile Okazaki Plain. The Okazaki ChuoSogo Park itself is located on higher ground and offers panoramic views of the city.
The city also has a distinct culinary tradition. Okazaki is particularly known for Hatcho miso, a dark and rich miso associated with the region.
More than a venue
For the Asian Games, the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium will become an international sporting stage. Athletes from across Asia will arrive looking for medals, while fans will get the chance to experience a city that combines sport, history and nature.
But the venue’s importance to Okazaki does not begin with the Asian Games. It has long been a place where professional athletes, schoolchildren, amateur players and local residents come together. That makes it an ideal Asian Games venue. It represents not only Japan’s ability to host major sporting events, but also the role sport plays within a local community.
When the Asian Games arrive, the focus will naturally be on the athletes and the medals, but behind every competition is a venue with its own story.
How to reach the venue
The Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium is accessible by bus, train and taxi, with public transport recommended during the Asian Games due to road restrictions and parking limitations around the venue.
By bus: From Higashi-Okazaki Station, take the Meitetsu bus from Bus Stop No. 2 at the North Exit towards Chuo Sogo Koen, which will take visitors directly to the park.
By train: From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, an express train to Higashi-Okazaki Station takes around 30 minutes. Visitors can then take a bus or taxi to the venue.
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