[June 2026] Japan Pickleball News Roundup: PICKLR Toyosu Opens Membership, International Tournament in Utsunomiya, and More Tournaments Nationwide
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"Where are next month's tournaments being held?" "Are there any permanent courts opening in Tokyo?" — Questions about "playing environments" like these have noticeably increased recently, both in stores and on LINE. Following last month (May), when Japanese players' successes abroad made headlines, **June 2026 seems to have been a month where both pickleball playing "locations" and "tournaments" started to gain momentum simultaneously.**
As someone (Coach Yoshi) who launched a pickleball business in Japan, I've compiled and delivered **June 2026 domestic news** with sources. This month, rather than a single splashy event, the focus was on **"environmental improvements" – subtle but important developments.**
1. Japan's First Permanent Facility, "PICKLR TOKYO TOYOSU," Begins Member Recruitment
Of all the domestic news in June 2026, this is what caught my attention the most. **PICKLR**, one of the world's largest pickleball facility brands, has started recruiting **Founder Members (special first-term members) from June 18, 2026**, ahead of the opening of **"PICKLR TOKYO TOYOSU," its first permanent location in Japan.**
- **Facility Name**: PICKLR TOKYO TOYOSU
- **Location**: 1-2-2 Shiohama, Koto-ku, Tokyo
- **Number of Courts**: 7 courts (PICKLR & PPA TOUR official hard courts)
- **Scheduled Opening**: September 2026 (planned)
- **Membership Plans**: 3 plans (PLAY, UNLIMITED, PRO). Founder benefits include 50% off enrollment fees and a permanent 10% discount on monthly fees.
According to the announcement, the facility will span approximately 1,850 square meters and feature indoor official-regulation hard courts. Until now, pickleball in Japan often involved "borrowing tennis courts" or "renting gymnasiums by the hour," so the emergence of a **permanent, dedicated facility in Tokyo where players can always play** feels like a development that could significantly change how the sport takes root.
Source: PR TIMES (Pickleball Japan Holdings Inc.) (June 18, 2026) (Photo source: PR TIMES, Pickleball Japan Holdings Inc. / The company notes that "the photos shown are images of PICKLR clubs in the US.")
💡 Coach Yoshi's Point
I believe the greatest value of a permanent facility is the ability to "play whenever you want, right away." Getting tired of the weekend reservation scramble and gradually losing interest is a common pattern for new players who quit. **Having an accessible place to play dramatically changes the speed of improvement.** If you're looking for places to play in Tokyo, please also refer to "Where to Play Pickleball in Tokyo."
2. International Tournament in Utsunomiya (July) | APP Asia Qualifier = World Cup Japan National Team Selection
In tournament news, the **"KINTO Utsunomiya APP Asia Qualifier 2026," announced on June 12, 2026**, is not to be missed. The announcement came from the **Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF)**.
- **Tournament Name**: KINTO Utsunomiya APP Asia Qualifier 2026
- **Dates**: **July 10–12, 2026**
- **Venue**: Nikkan Arena Tochigi (4-1-1 Nishikawada, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture)
- **Prize Money**: Total of 2 million yen (professional categories)
- **Significance**: This is an Asia Series event for the APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) and also serves as the **selection tournament for the Japan National Team for the "Pickleball World Cup 2026" (scheduled for August 30 – September 6, 2026, in Da Nang, Vietnam).**
- **Wheelchair Categories**: Wheelchair unified will be held again following the previous tournament, and wheelchair doubles will be held for the first time at this tournament.
While the announcement itself was in June and the tournament proper is in July, the fact that **the selection process for the Japan national team for an international tournament will take place in the regional city of Utsunomiya** is an event that reflects changing times. The expansion of wheelchair categories also conveyed a commitment to broadening the sport's reach.
Source: PR TIMES (Pickleball Japan Federation) (June 12, 2026) (Photo source: PR TIMES, Pickleball Japan Federation / Some images include a note stating "processed with generative AI.")
3. Tournaments Nationwide Continue to Grow | Yamaguchi and Rusutsu, Hokkaido, are the Two Big Topics in June
Looking domestically, tournaments were held in various locations throughout June. Among them, the two that stood out in terms of scale were **Yamaguchi** and **Rusutsu, Hokkaido**.
Yamaguchi | PJF Pickleball Japan Open in Yamaguchi (June 5–7)
A regional tournament organized by the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) was held from **June 5–7, 2026**, at the **Ishin Daiko Arena (within Ishin 100-nen Kinen Park)** in Yamaguchi City. It was a full-scale tournament featuring men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles, competing on indoor courts, categorized by skill level and age groups (35+, 50+, etc.).
Hokkaido | RUSUTSU Pickleball Open 2026 (June 28)
At the end of the month, the resort-hosted **"RUSUTSU Pickleball Open 2026"** took place on **June 28, 2026**. Held on 8 dedicated courts at Rusutsu Resort, it was organized by Rusutsu Resort and supported by the aforementioned Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF). This open tournament, friendly to beginners and intermediate players, featured men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles, and men's singles, each divided into beginner and intermediate categories. On the previous day (June 27), side programs such as trial events and lessons were also offered.
The style of holding tournaments at resort facilities is exactly how pickleball is enjoyed in America, "playing while sightseeing." In Japan, this culture of "traveling to play" seems to be gradually taking root.
💡 Coach Yoshi's Point
Both Yamaguchi and Rusutsu feature **well-defined age and skill level categories**. There's no need to hesitate thinking, "I'm still a beginner..." as the system matches you with players of similar levels. Tournaments are also a shortcut to improvement, so if it's your first time, feel free to try the beginner category. For details on how to find tournaments and trial events, please refer to "How to Find and Participate in Pickleball Trial Events and Beginner Classes."
4. Regional and Community Tournaments Also Active | UTR Tour Regional Matches and Various Leagues
In addition to large-scale tournaments, **regional and community-level tournaments** were also active in various locations throughout June. Based on information confirmed through official sources and the consolidated tournament calendar (Pickleball One):
- **June 20 (Osaka) & June 21 (Kanagawa)**: Regional matches of the UTR Pickleball Japan Tour 2026 powered by PJF (a tour series linked to UTR ratings, organized by the Pickleball Japan Federation/PJF)
- **June 27–28**: Chiba/Kashiwa (TTC Pickleball Match / June 27 Men's Singles, June 28 Team Match), Kobe (DPC KOBE Enjoy League 50+ / June 27), regional tournament in Kadoma, Osaka (June 27), etc.
The reality of pickleball in Japan today is that such small-scale tournaments are **held somewhere every weekend**. While top-tier tournaments tend to grab attention, the **increase in "easy-to-enter tournaments nearby"** might actually be the sign that the sport is taking hold.
Sources: UTR Pickleball Japan Tour 2026 powered by PJF (Pickleball Japan Federation) and Pickleball One Tournament Calendar *As this includes information from a consolidated calendar, it is recommended to confirm details with the official information of each tournament organizer if considering participation.
The increasing use of rating systems like DUPR and UTR in tournaments is explained in "Using DUPR in Japan."
5. Continued Media Exposure | TV Asahi's "Tsunagaru Pickle"
Beyond the sport and facilities, **TV exposure** also continued in June. TV Asahi (Kanto local) continued to air the pickleball program "**Tsunagaru Pickle**" (Sundays 11:45-11:50), hosted by comedian Miyazon, throughout June.
Although it's a short program, an increase in entry points like "**learning about it by chance on TV**" is significant for spreading awareness of the sport. The success of professional players, the expansion of facilities, nationwide tournaments, and media exposure – with these four elements progressing simultaneously, 2026 may be a year when pickleball in Japan **sees a further acceleration in its popularity.**
Sources: Tsunagaru Pickle (Wikipedia) and TVer On-demand (June 14, 2026 broadcast)
Recent Tailwinds | May's Feat and Data on "Future Growth Market"
The momentum in June is bolstered by the **recent surge (up to May)**. While not news from this month, it's crucial for understanding the current trend, so I'll briefly review it.
- **May**: Yuta Funamizu achieved **Japan's first tour victory** on the PPA Tour (after placing 4th, another first for a Japanese player, in the Grand Slam the previous week). For details, see "May 2026 | Japan Pickleball News Summary."
- **Market Growth**: The playing population continues to expand rapidly, and surveys show high interest among tennis players (sources and figures are compiled in "Latest Pickleball Situation in Japan").
"Players excel globally → Media covers it → Tournaments and facilities increase → More people start playing." This positive cycle is precisely **taking shape as facility and tournament news in June**—that's what this month was like.
Summary | June 2026: Japanese Pickleball "Environment" on the Move
Looking back at pickleball news in Japan for June 2026, the keyword was "environmental expansion."
- **PICKLR TOKYO TOYOSU** (Tokyo, Toyosu area / 7 courts) **began recruiting Founder Members on June 18**. Japan's first permanent dedicated facility is scheduled to open in September.
- **International tournament in Utsunomiya**, "KINTO Utsunomiya APP Asia Qualifier 2026," announced on June 12. To be held in July, it also serves as a selection event for the World Cup Japan national team.
- **Yamaguchi (June 5-7) and Rusutsu, Hokkaido (June 28)** hosted full-scale open tournaments. The trend of resort × tournament events is also emerging.
- **Regional UTR tour matches and various leagues** actively held nationwide at the community level.
- **Continued media exposure**, including ongoing broadcasts of the TV program "Tsunagaru Pickle."
While May was dominated by the news of players' achievements, June was a month where **both "places to play" and "tournaments to enter" increased simultaneously.** The improvement of the playing environment is the most welcome change for those just starting out.
Related Articles
- May 2026 | Japan Pickleball News Summary — Last month's domestic news, including Funamizu's achievement.
- Latest Pickleball Situation in Japan | Playing Population, Facilities, and Future Growth — Market data and background of its spread.
- Where to Play Pickleball in Tokyo — How to find courts, facilities, and trial events in Tokyo.
- How to Find and Participate in Pickleball Trial Events and Beginner Classes — For your first tournament or trial event.
- Using DUPR in Japan — How to utilize rating-compatible tournaments and events.
Related Products
References
- PR TIMES (Pickleball Japan Holdings Inc. "PICKLR TOKYO TOYOSU" begins Founder Member recruitment - June 18, 2026)
- PR TIMES (Pickleball Japan Federation announces "KINTO Utsunomiya APP Asia Qualifier 2026" - June 12, 2026)
- Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) Pickleball Japan Open in Yamaguchi 2026
- Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) RUSUTSU Pickleball Open 2026
- Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) UTR Pickleball Japan Tour 2026 powered by PJF Vol.2
- Pickleball One Tournament Calendar (June 2026 Domestic Tournament List)
- Tsunagaru Pickle (TV Asahi / Wikipedia)
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