Gunze Supports Local Vitality, Sponsors "3rd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament"

Gunze Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Kita Ward, President: Takahiro Oka) will sponsor the "3rd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament" held in Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, its birthplace, and will provide the "Gunze Hakubutsuen" (Gunze Museum Garden) as the venue. Many of the rhinoceros beetles featured in this tournament were successfully raised outdoors by the NPO Satoyama Net Ayabe, utilizing wood and bamboo chips generated during Gunze's ongoing satoyama conservation activity, "Kyoto Model Forest Movement in Ayabe," which began in 2010. This initiative transforms the natural cycle, which started with the maintenance of abandoned bamboo forests, into summer entertainment with children as the main stars, disseminating it as a cutting-edge local SDGs model that connects the significance of environmental conservation with the future of the region.

The 2nd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament held last year.

About the 3rd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament

Date

July 20 (Mon, Holiday) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location

- Participant Reception: 9:00 AM - In front of the Ayabe Tokusankan Terrace. Entry fee: 500 yen

- Opening Ceremony: 9:45 AM - Gunze Hakubutsuen Tsudoigura

- Match Venue: 10:00 AM - Gunze Hakubutsuen Tsudoigura

- Match Viewing: 10:00 AM - Gunze Hakubutsuen Mirai-gura, 2nd Floor*

*This is a public viewing area for those who cannot enter the venue.

Admission Fee

Match viewing is free at both venues.

Organizer

Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament Executive Committee

(Ayabe Tokusankan, Gunze Hakubutsuen, Ayabe City Tourism Association, Ayabe City Tourism Exchange Division, Mizunomori Satoyama Kanbara, NPO Satoyama Net Ayabe)

Cooperation

Obata Castle Preservation Society, Satomachi Reiwa Kai

Sponsorship

Gunze Co., Ltd.

About Entry for the 3rd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament

【Application】

Please apply using the tournament application form at the following URL or via the QR code on the right.

https://forms.gle/C9mhTzRQjpWpDEbQA

*Personal information provided will be managed appropriately and used solely for the purpose of operating the Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament.

【Notes】

1. Participation with non-native species such as Hercules beetles is not permitted. Please prepare a Japanese rhinoceros beetle.

2. The entry fee (500 yen) does not include the rhinoceros beetle. Please prepare one in advance or purchase one at Ayabe Tokusankan on the day of the event.

(We will sell males for 500 yen and females for 300 yen.)

*Entry fees should be paid at the reception on the morning of the tournament.

3. Please note that eating and drinking are not allowed inside the "Tsudoigura" venue. (Only hydration is permitted.)

4. You will need to provide a name for your rhinoceros beetle (wrestler name) to enter. (Example: Kabuto-maru)

5. Considering the physical condition of the rhinoceros beetles, up to two reserve wrestlers are allowed. In this case, they must compete under the same wrestler name.

6. Please be aware that photos taken on the day of the event may be used for publicity purposes on the website and social media managed by the Executive Committee.

Awarding of the Championship Trophy (2nd Ayabe Rhinoceros Beetle Sumo Tournament)

Events held in the Ayabe Tokusankan Area

- Festival booths, various food trucks

- Sale of adult rhinoceros beetles on the Ayabe Tokusankan Terrace