Many different sports are played in Japan. Traditional martial arts like judo are very popular, as well sports imported from overseas, such as baseball, soccer (football) and more recently rugby. Many Japanese go to the sea for surfing and scuba diving in the summer, while skiing and snowboarding are popular winter pursuits.

Sumo, Japan's national sport, has a history spanning more than 1,000 years. As it used to be held as a way of giving thanks for harvests, sumo still involves many rituals. Rikishi (sumo wrestlers), whose hair is styled like that of ancient warriors, wear only a special silk belt and fight using only their bare hands. Most weigh between 100 and 200 kilograms. They fight in the 4.5-meter wide dohyo (ring) until one either leaves the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet.

Along with Sumo, Football is also a growing sport as many Japanese footballers are now in prestigious European football leagues in Japan and Italy, notably including Keisuke Honda who plays for AC Milan as a midfielder. Rugby is also on the rise with Japan more recently shining at the Rugby Union world cup with a very famous win over South Africa.