Program of Japan Cup 2025
Programme and Condition of Play
（The event held regularly every 2 years until 2022 called Japan Open. Now the event name has been changed to Japan Cup.）
From 13th – 15th September 2025
At Shiawase-no-mura, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Schedule;
- 12th September (Friday): All arrival
- Check in to the hotel
- Meet at Dinner in the hotel
- 13th September (Saturday)
- 9-11am Practice
- 11:30 am Opening Ceremony
- 13-16:10 Section play (2 games)
- 14 September (Sunday)
- 9-16:40 Section play (4 games)
- 15 September (Monday- Public Holiday in Japan)
- 9-15:40 Section play (1 game) + Final Knock Out tournament (2 games)
- 18:30-21:00 Presentation and Closing Ceremony
- 16 September (Tuesday)
- Check out and departure
Venue: Shiawase-no-mura Lawn bowls Green
Outdoor, Synthetic Green, 10 rinks
Shiawase-no-mura 1 -1, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture (the
Airport is Kansai International Airport KIX)
16 teams (14 over-seas teams & 2 Japan teams) will arrive at
Kobe-Sannomiya Station on 12th September and Bowls Japan
will usher to the accommodation/venue.
Format: Open Triples (men and women), Two Bowls Triples
Team composition
One team consists of at least one male player and one women player. Plus one reserve or a manager will be in the team. A team consists of up to 4 players (3 or 4). If 4 players in a team, players will play alternatively in the event.
Trial Ends
The roll up will be only the first day in the morning. (Practice time of Day1)
Section Play
The event will be played round-robin in 2 sections ( each section of 8 teams) and top 2 of each section will go forward to the semi-final while the others will be played to rank from 5-8th, 9-12th and 13-16th. No extra end will be played
Knock Out Play
The Top two teams in sectional play will qualify for Semi Final.
Also, the team that won’t go to Semi will be played (divided into 4 groups) to rank in the group.
Extra End of Knock Out Play
If the score is tie, an extra end will be played.
Ends and Time limit
Section play :10 ends (80 minutes)
Semi-Final and Final/Knock Out: 12 ends (100 minutes)
Score
3 Points in each win of the section play
1 Point of draw
The section winner will be determined as below.
- Highest number of math points
- Higher number of margin
- Higher number of shots
- Higher number of ends
- Result of against each other
Restriction Movement of Players
The leads: after delivery their second bowl
The seconds: delivery of their second bowl
The Skips: After delivery of each of their bowl
Re-spotting the jack
If a jack in motion passes completely outside the boundaries of the rink of play comes to rest in any hollow in the face of the bank, or rebounds to a distance of less than 20 meters from the mat line, the jack should be placed at 2 meter spot.
Entry Fee
US$2800 per team (up to 4 players)
Including 4 nights accommodations, breakfasts, lunch and dinner
and a closing party (from a dinner on 12th to a breakfast on 16th )
Minimum Entry Number
The event must receive 10 entries from overseas to proceed.
A county can send up to 2 teams.
Contact for information
Director of Bowls Japan for International matters,
Midori Matsuoka- midori.beautypoint@gmail.com
Secretary General of Bowls Japan,
Hirokazu Mori- hmori@hi-net.zaq.ne.jp
Welcome Message
by Kizo Hisamoto, Mayor of Kobe City
We are delighted that the “Japan Cup International Lawn Bowls Tournament 2025” can be held in the lush, nature-rich surroundings of Shiawase-no-Mura.
It is truly a pleasure to welcome many athletes and tournament officials to Kobe, and we extend our heartfelt welcome to all.
In recent years, interest in lifelong sports that contribute to health promotion and physical fitness has been increasing. Amidst this trend, lawn bowls—a sport that can be casually played by beginners and veterans alike—has been cherished by a wide range of individuals and has played a significant role in promoting health.
In modern society, where aging is advancing, we hope that lawn bowls will continue to expand its reach, allowing everyone to enjoy sports and lead vibrant, fulfilling lives.
We sincerely hope that participating athletes will showcase the results of their daily training and experience a truly enriching time, both physically and mentally.
As Kobe continues to deepen exchanges with foreign countries through its port, we hope you will take this opportunity to appreciate the charm of a city that has fostered diverse cultures.
Lastly, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in organizing this tournament. As we welcome participants from around the world to this event, we extend our best wishes for your health and well-being, along with our warmest greetings.
