Lovely Play & Recreation

Minor sports! A roundup of intriguing venture sports

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

There are many major sports that are popular worldwide, like soccer and baseball, but did you know there are also lesser-known “minor” sports quietly gaining fans in the background?

There are lots of these minor sports—sometimes called venture sports—that each have their own deep appeal, whether it’s unique rules or unusual equipment.

In this article, we’ll introduce a range of such minor sports that are sure to pique your interest—ones that will make you want to watch match videos or even try playing them yourself!

We’ve gathered a wide selection, from sports you may have never heard of to ones you know by name but aren’t quite sure what they’re like.

Enjoy!

Minor Sports! A Roundup of Captivating Venture Sports (11–20)

Padel

Do you know padel? Introducing the rules of the trending, new-sensation sport: padel!

Padel

Padel is also recommended for those who like tennis.

It’s a sport that was introduced to Japan around 2018.

The basic rules are the same as tennis, but there are major differences: the court is enclosed with glass or wire mesh, and you can return balls that bounce off the walls.

It may feel unfamiliar at first, but this unique style of play is sure to grow on you.

Incidentally, it’s said that in Spain, more people play padel than tennis.

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In conclusion

We have introduced a wide range of lesser-known sports that are attracting attention both in Japan and abroad.

You may have come across sports whose names you heard here for the first time, as well as ones you knew by name but only just learned the rules of through this article.

Each sport has real depth and appeal, so why not take this opportunity to watch plenty of match videos—or, if possible, try playing them yourself?