On the evening of Friday, August 7, Akapla (Sapporo Kita 3-jo Plaza) near Sapporo Station felt even hotter than the actual air temperature suggested, as the “Corporate Pickleball &BIZ CUP in Sapporo” (a joint project by Mitsui Fudosan and TBS) was being held there. Teams of 5 to 8 players (mixed gender was mandatory), all of whom had to work for their respective enterprises, took part in the inter-company tournament, entry to which was free of charge. Matches were played as doubles, with the winner of each game being the first to reach 11 points. Serves were performed with an underhand motion from below waist height and directed diagonally into the opponent’s half of the court. Points could only be scored by the serving team, and rules were also in place regarding the timing of player substitutions.

The inter-company competition, which began at 6.00 pm, reached its climax in the final between Japan Post Group and Hokkaido Telecommunication Network Co., Inc.— from an initial starting line-up of 12 participating companies—in which Japan Post GroupLtd.were crowned the winners.

The closing ceremony after the final

Over the weekend (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9), Akapla served as the venue for an “open play” (taster) session. As no reservations or participation fees were required, many families and office workers in business attire could be seen enjoying the sport for the first time.

It is said that pickleball originated in the United States in 1965; it is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and is characterized by the fact that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. In Japan, the sport has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, with the number of players increasing from approximately 5,000 in April 2024 to around 45,000 by March 2025.

A pickleball court is about the same size as a badminton court; players use flat rackets known as ‘paddles’, and the ball is made of perforated plastic. One of the reasons for the sport’s popularity is that even those with no experience of tennis or similar sports can enjoy playing rallies after minimal practice. Volleys are prohibited within the area near the net, and this appears to be a key tactical element of the game.

Just like the “Corporate Tug-of-War Tournament” held last year, this event epitomizes the role of an urban public space or plaza, in which bonds between neighboring companies are strengthened through sport, played against the backdrop of the floodlit, red brick Former Hokkaido Government Office Building.

One of the appeals of pickleball is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders (a scene from the weekend’s open play session)