defeating Amsterdam Rabobank (NED) 21 - 17 to win the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2025 on April 27 UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Miami (USA) repeat their Utsunomiya heroics The American side shine in the Japanese city yet again Though sporting a new-look compared to last season Mitch Hahn and James Parrott were key in their qualification games but huge contributions from Henry Caruso and Dylan Travis took them all the way to the final They would face reigning champs Amsterdam Rabobank who maintained their winning ways as well catching fire and going unbeaten all the way to the final matchup A back-and-forth battle ensued between two of the premier teams in the circuit with Miami utilising their flowing offense to notch early points while the Reigning champs worked in the paint to answer back It turned out to be a physical matchup throughout with neither team allowing the other to find rhythm Dutchman Jan Driessen and Worthy de Jong pulled the offensive duties for their side attempting to hold on to Miami who took the lead thanks to big outside shots from Dylan Travis and Mitch Hahn With scores at 14 - 10 to the American side with under 4 minutes to go the Dutch responded with a timely two from Maarten Bouwknecht to halve the deficit would cap off a scorching game with back-to-back twos to put the game firmly in their grasp Hahn would deliver the final blow with a huge two to make it an 20 - 15 advantage with seconds left Amsterdam’s late bucket would be simply consolation as Dylan Travis would call game on the free throw line a 21 - 17 victory for the Americans to repeat the W in Utsunomiya Mitch Hahn was immense as always for Miami notching a team-high 30 points throughout the tournament His aggression on both ends of the floor proved to be pivotal in their success in Utsunomiya as he would take home the MVP award FRA) won the Wilson Shoot-Out Contest while Dengxing "Dunk King" Chen won the Ashikaga bank dunk contest The economic and societal benefits brought by a new tram system operating in the north of Tokyo have made it a model that other cities in Japan and around the world are studying with an eye on emulating its successes Some 4.75 million passengers had used the renewable energy-powered tram system in Tochigi Prefecture when it marked its first anniversary on Aug exceeding the initial estimate by approximately 20 percent according to the operator Utsunomiya Light Rail Co The tram project was established by Utsunomiya city and the nearby town of Haga and runs between the east side of JR Utsunomiya Station and Haga covering the 14.6-kilometer route in 42 minutes Although the population of the prefectural capital Utsunomiya is decreasing the tram dubbed "Lightline" and operated by a public-private venture has promoted the development of housing with at least 16 high-rise buildings Powered by electricity generated in the burning of household biomass waste and from excess energy produced by household solar installations the trams were built by Niigata Prefecture-based company Niigata Transys Co and designed to allow easy access for the elderly and passengers with a stroller or in a wheelchair With many municipalities in Japan looking for similar projects to bring new life to their areas the tram has brought much domestic attention but it has also generated interest overseas a group of bureaucrats and rail firm employees from outside Japan visited Utsunomiya to learn about the tram system one of the group members and an official from an Indonesian company operating a Jakarta railway said she was impressed with the barrier-free accessibility and well-designed stations The 35-year-old who is head of planning and development for areas surrounding train stations in Jakarta said she could see the light rail line "has played a significant role in the revitalization of Utsunomiya's urban areas stimulating economic growth and encouraging development along its route." more than 300 groups of visitors -- officials from municipal governments and railway operators across Japan and from 35 countries -- have inspected the tram system They have "strong interests in not only the tram itself but its contribution to the regional development," a city official said The city said it hopes to extend the tramway by five kilometers from the west side of Utsunomiya Station by 2035 Utsunomiya Mayor Eiichi Sato told reporters "The tram has drastically changed the east side of the city Fans flock to Hokkaido station featured in film as line section closes Japan promoting pedal power to give abandoned railways new prospects FEATURE: Man fills void in rural Japan city by opening movie theater To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible Tulsa celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Sister City partnership with Utsunomiya Mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Carol Bush honored 18 visitors from Utsunomiya to receive honorary Tulsan certificates on Tuesday "It is always an honor to welcome our sister city partners to City Hall where we can exchange viewpoints and learn from each other," said Mayor Nichols "I am grateful for our ongoing partnership with Tulsa Global Alliance and for all the efforts they make to foster relationships like these." Utsunomiya has participated in the exchange program since 1995 and is one of nine sister cities to Tulsa Tulsa has enjoyed and benefitted greatly from its Sister City partnership with Utsunomiya Japan," said City Councilor Carol Bush "As a strong supporter of the Sister City program I believe these visits are an excellent opportunity to learn and share our respective cultures I look forward to meeting with this year's students and hearing their stories." The Sister City partnership program is managed by the Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA) "The annual Utsunomiya delegation is always a highlight of our year at Tulsa Global Alliance," said Micah Keyan Executive Director of Tulsa Global Alliance "After becoming Sister Cities in 1992 so we're thrilled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this program alongside thousands of participants across several generations I'd like to thank our Utsunomiya committee volunteers and TGA supporters who help make this heartwarming Tulsa-Utsunomiya tradition possible year after year." SIGN UP FOR THE CHANNEL 8 NEWSLETTER By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy On the outskirts of Otsunomiya, Japan, Takashi Kuribayashi is redefining the boundaries between contemporary art and wellbeing. For Oya Genkiro No.6, his most recent permanent installation, the experiential artist invites to visitors to let loose in thick clouds of herbal steam and become part of the work itself. At first glance, Genkiro rises like the remnants of an ancient tree with its towering 59-foot form sculpted from local hinoki planks. Step closer and a narrow hallway of mirrors emerges. Moving further, a multi-storied, glass-lined core reveals itself, thick plums of a herbal steam envelop visitors in an immersive sensory ritual. Semi-finals & Final | World Tour 2024 | Utsunomiya GET ALL THIS.Stream free live sport events Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Tributes to Kevin Braswell as Basketball World Mourns His Passing Kevin Braswell brought infectious energy coaching acumen and a passion for winning to the basketball court.  Braswell coached his final game before the B.League All-Star break on January 12 leading the Brex to a 96-87 home win over the Northern Happinets Utsunomiya improved to 25-5 in Braswell's first season as head coach He served the previous season as the Brex's associate head coach helping the squad achieve a league-best record of 51 wins and nine losses while putting his stamp on the Brex's identity as a title-chasing team Braswell's life took an unexpected turn in mid-January He was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and needed emergency triple bypass surgery on January 17 Braswell remained hospitalized for several weeks, during which the Brex turned to New Zealander Zico Coronel to serve as acting head coach the Brex announced that Braswell had passed away that day at a hospital in Utsunomiya tributes poured in for Braswell on social media and via traditional media outlets Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was among those who paid tribute to the former 6-foot-2 playmaker "There are so many young men and women who grew up playing basketball in Baltimore "We would like to express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to Mr Braswell for his dedication to the development of the club and his contribution to the growth of the team over the course of two seasons," the Brex said in a statement In a fitting tribute to Braswell's zest for winning Utsunomiya won its first game since his passing beating the visiting Levanga Hokkaido 81-64 on Saturday The Brex lead the B.League's eight-team Eastern Conference with a 32-6 record Brex backup guard Atsuya Ogawa two assists and a steal in the series-opening win but I'm glad we were able to come together and win the game with a strong spirit," Ogawa told reporters "Head coach Braswell told me to keep working hard because you will be a great player and I learned a lot from his attitude toward basketball." Teammate Makoto Hiejima "I think we prepared as well as we could while supporting each other as a team vowing that we would definitely win this season with our style of basketball." who stepped in during Braswell's absence in January spoke after Saturday's game in a press conference.  He exuded class in discussing the sorrow surrounding the team and in showing appreciation to the Levanga for their patience during a pregame moment of silence I don't know if [the Levanga] had anyone on their team that has ever been on the same team as him Coronel acknowledged the news of Braswell's passing was "a big shock for everyone but we all came together [on Monday] In preparing to play a two-game series against Hokkaido training sessions on Thursday and Friday were "really And I think the guys deserve immense credit and also the staff the sacrifices that they made… they had to put the players first no matter how they may be feeling." Reacting to the news of Braswell's passing, Northern Happinets head Kenzo Maeda issued a statement on Tuesday "I am speechless and torn by the news of the passing of head coach Kevin Braswell," said Maeda "My deepest sympathies go out to his family and all those involved with him." Maeda took a leave of absence as Akita head coach before the 2022-23 season when his wife Natsumi became ill Maeda is grateful for the positive energy and moral support Braswell gave him and the team that season "I spent many days with him during the 2021-22 season which was the club's first playoff appearance [in the B.League]," Maeda recalled His positive and confident personality was a great source of energy for Akita."  I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the passion and love he poured into my life I will cherish the precious days he wanted to live and I will go on with my own life [And] I would like to express my sincere condolences." Braswell's basketball talents led to a four-year collegiate career at Georgetown University (1998-2002) He started all 128 games he appeared in during his years with the Hoyas and left Georgetown as the school's all-time leader in steals (349) and assists (695) And he's still the statistical leader in both categories He began his pro career in 2002 in Belgium and retired in 2016 after a stint with New Zealand's Wellington Saints.  and collected two more with the New Zealand NBL's Southland Sharks in 2013 and '15 SB Nation's Casual Hoya blog published a heartfelt tribute to Braswell Perhaps two passages from the article best capture Braswell's life and legacy as a basketball player and coach Braswell embodied the spirit of Georgetown basketball," the blog reported and a player who always gave his all on the court His impact on the program extended beyond his playing days as he inspired countless young Hoyas with his dedication and passion for the game." "Kevin Braswell's passing is a tremendous loss for the basketball world His journey from a determined freshman at Georgetown to a head coach in Japan is a testament to his dedication "...The Georgetown community will forever cherish the memories of this remarkable individual and the impact he had on the program." For the past several years, the National Basketball Coaches Association has conducted health and heart screenings for NBA head coaches and assistant coaches Health checks take place during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas It's a proactive policy to help identify potential life-threatening issues.  Asked if the B.League has established a similar plan, Gunma Crane Thunders bench boss Kyle Milling confirmed one doesn't exist "The B.League or clubs do not have any medical check for coaches or staff," Milling told SportsLook "I know many companies do medical checks for their employees [And] I do hope something can change from this sad situation." Braswell's playing credentials were highlighted above His career trajectory as a coach over the past decade was also impressive It included back-to-back NZNBL titles as the Wellington Saints head coach in 2016 and '17 Continue reading the full story which includes news items on Nordic combined Author: Ed Odeven You must be logged in to post a comment. ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Miami’s Mitch Hahn was stellar in Miami’s stop-winning performance, earning MVP plaudits at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya 2025 on April 27.  Hahn was immense for the American side, notching a team-high 30 points throughout the tournament. His aggression on both ends of the floor proved to be pivotal in their success in Utsunomiya as he would take home the MVP award. Miami entered as the reigning champs in Utsunomiya but there was an unknown over this new-look team that had made significant changes in the off-season With superstar Jimmer Fredette having recently announced his retirement AmeriCup MVP Henry Caruso has stepped into his big shoes after taking his talents to Miami He had a fine debut as Miami (USA) showcased immediate chemistry in an opening statement that will send shockwaves through the competition Their unbeaten run included victories over powers Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) Toulouse (FRA) and Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) in a nail-biting final It was an even performance with Olympian Dylan Travis being the glue guy while scoring machine James Parrott was a walking bucket as per usual But it was Mitch Hahn who stole the show with a determined two-way effort to pick up his first World Tour MVP in a brilliant start to his second season with Miami Miami have made the early running as the team to beat this season there was uncertainty over the 3x3 future of megastar Worthy de Jong the Dutch Master recommitted to a game that has refuelled his love affair with hoops He has started the World Tour season in spectacular fashion after leading Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) to the final who most certainly was 'Hype Worthy' with a performance filled with trademark dunks and acrobatic plays The game's greatest ever scorer was again a bucket getter to lead all scorers with 40 points overall as de Jong proved that he still holds 3x3's individual crown after a season for the ages No.1 Ub (SRB) have set such high standards that anything other than titles is considered a disappointment But as we've learned over the last 12 months the field in 3x3 is so incredibly deep now that we can't just expect Ub to win everything like they did during their golden run of 2022-23 After three straight appearances in the final in Utsunomiya Ub could not get past the semi-finals following a tough loss to rival Amsterdam RABOBANK It may have not been the start they wanted but Ub again showcased their fighting characteristics at a happy hunting ground having won tight games against compatriots Partizan (SRB) and Liman (SRB) on Day One and then Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) in the quarters Two of their wins were in OT with superstar Strahinja Stojacic and Marko Brankovic hitting clutch Buzzer Beaters to issue a reminder that they have nerves of steel but Ub remain one of the best in the business despite not going all the way Who had the best scoring average in Utsunomiya It was Olympic bronze medalist Aurelijus Pukelis who just continues to be a lethal Lithuanian He finished with 9 ppg and his masterpiece was 11 points and 5 rebounds against Ub in the quarters Real ones know that the towering Pukelis is one of the very best players on the planet and he just keeps on getting better season after season. He's only getting warmed up because Pukelis will be back in action at the upcoming Chengdu Masters, where you just know he'll be a scoring machine yet again. Utsunomiya remains the perfect place to start the World Tour season UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) -  Reigning champions Amsterdam Rabobank (NED) ended pool play 2-0 on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2025 on April 26.  The Dutch stars came in with all the momentum after their historic 2024 season and they did not disappoint.  They started with a handy 21 - 12 victory over qualifying draw side Tennoz. Talismanic Worthy de Jong put up a team-high 7, rounding off a collective offensive display from Amsterdam.  They faced contending Vienna next and again came out victors. De Jong put up a whopping 10 points in the 21 - 16 win, cementing their spot in the knockout rounds on day 2 in resounding fashion.  Ub, Toulouse and Miami also finished with a perfect record in pool phase.  Big Cinnamon was doing it all for team Miami in their unbeaten display on Day 1. He put up a team-high 8 points and 5 rebounds in their opener against Utsunomiya, imposing himself against the opposition with thunderous jams.  He put up another 8 points, this time against Lithuanian side Raudondvaris to lead the American side to the knockout rounds with a pair of dominant performances.  We crown the winners of the historic 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener tomorrow. Tune in LIVE on our YouTube channel to find out who takes home the W. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - "Anything is possible!" It's an iconic catchphrase that was immortalized by an amped up Kevin Garnett after the Boston Celtics won the 2008 NBA title It is also a motto new 3x3 team London (USA) will be channelling as they make their World Tour debut at the traditional Utsunomiya Opener on April 26-27 "I think anything is possible," London star Ashley Hamilton said "We are a new team and we have the ability to do well there is a learning curve and there are teams who have been around for a lot longer that will do their best to stop us from being successful London have rebranded from iconic American team Princeton (USA) has been the brains behind the operation and there is a distinct British flavor - as gleaned by the name - to this team Its Princeton roots are evident too with familiar names Austin Butler, Jerome Desrosiers and Justin Pierce part of the team in Utsunomiya and the subsequent WT Chengdu. "We formed a partnership with Princeton," Hamilton said. "We met at the FIBA 3x3 teams meeting in Geneva and found out that we align in our thinking and found that a partnership would be mutually beneficial, so here we are." The showpiece season-opener in Utsunomiya has a loaded draw featuring the top 10 ranked teams. The No.10 seed will be an underdog, but loom as a dark horse in Pool C boasting No.2 Toulouse (FRA) and power Riffa (BRN). "We’ve been building and growing together already and even though it’s new, it feels like we have known each other for years," Hamilton said. "I’m extremely excited for my first event," Hamilton said. "The World Tour is the top level for pro 3x3, everyone is trying to get a spot here. I don’t take it for granted. "We plan to be a staple on the World Tour for years to come." So, obviously, this is a wide open field and we're going to have to go on the form of 2024. That means reigning World Tour Final champs Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) deserve to start as favorites as the Dutch Masters face the tough task of backing up from an unforgettable year. Two-time former Utsunomiya Opener champs Ub (SRB) weren't quite as invincible in 2024, but they still finished the year as No.1. They almost claimed a three-peat last year in Utsunomiya, but fell short after a narrow loss to Miami (USA) in an epic final. The Americans will be eying defending their title and have beefed up after recruiting superstar Henry Caruso, who is ready to be his mighty country's best baller. There is a team with a new name, but you well know these dudes. Toulouse (FRA), formerly Paris, are ready to fire in new colors and they will be led by Olympic silver medalist Franck Seguela, whose confidence is through the roof after a year for the ages. There are plenty of other stars who want to grab the belt and make early season claims of being the best player in the game. Two-way force Dennis Donkor is the heart and soul of Riffa (BRN) and was one of the very best players in 2024 as he took the leap. He can do it all on the half-court much like all-round marvel Stefan Milivojevic, who can intimidate merely by flexing. Just wait until 3x3's gladiator has the Wilson in his hands! If you want to watch a speedster mastering his craft then keep your eyes trained on Nico Kaltenbrunner, the reigning Europe Cup MVP, while Modestas Kumpys aka 'Flight Mode' is ready to attack the rims and prove once again why he is the GOAT in-game dunker. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - The hype is in overdrive after the draw was released for the traditional FIBA 3x3 Utsunomiya Opener on April 26-27 as the World Tour starts its new season in style Here are the games you just have to watch on day one of competition We just have to start with this epic rivalry that is among the very best in the World Tour's 14-year history Both legendary Serb teams refuse to bow down to age as their brilliant chemistry and experience repeatedly comes to the fore and wards off new challengers Despite being good friends off the half-court these dudes go at each other ruthlessly with games between them the stuff of legends We can't wait to see what unfolds in this latest chapter It's another Serb showdown with Partizan (SRB) desperate for success on the World Tour after a difficult 2024 Their hopes are high because Stefan Milivojevic is proving exactly why he is 'The Gladiator' on the half-court After an MVP at the first-ever Champions Cup Milivojevic is making a run at being the best player alive But GOAT Stefan Stojacic is not ready for a passing of the torch just yet We can't wait to see them go toe-to-toe The battle of the rebranded teams should be a whole lot of fun They were once known as Paris (FRA) and Princeton (USA) respectively but Toulouse (FRA) and London (USA) have decided to embrace new identities especially superstars Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut who won Olympic silver on home soil They are back and more confident than ever but face a tough task straight up against a London team aiming to make a name for themselves Big fella Ashley Hamilton gets his chance on the big stage for London in his debut on the World Tour Pool C: Miami (USA) vs Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) Miami (USA) are the defending champs but have brought a different squad this time around This team is absolutely loaded after signing prized recruit Henry Caruso who will form a one-two punch with scoring machine James Parrott They will need to unleash all of their firepower because the lethal Lithuanians can drop buckets at will Olympic bronze medalists Aurelijus Pukelis and Evaldas Dziaugys are capable of going on heaters and Raudondvaris also have an aerial threat in explosive Modestas Kumpys Pool D: Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) vs Vienna (AUT) What an epic battle this will be between European powers Reigning World Tour Final champs Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) were the team of 2025 with their superstar Worthy de Jong holding the crown But Vienna aren't too far behind after an incredible season where their talented players enjoyed a first-ever triumph for Austria at the Europe Cup You just know this will be a furious back and forth between title-contending teams They played an epic final at the Wuxi Masters in one of the best games of 2024. Vienna came out on top on that occasion. Who ya got this time? But the game's most decorated player has a point to prove after his long-worn crown was snatched by rival Worthy de Jong You just know Stojacic will have a chip on his shoulder and that just means he's about to unleash on opponents at one of his favorite hunting grounds 'Doctor Strange' made sure the legendary half-court in Utsunomiya was his multiverse after back-to-back MVPs in 2022-23 He'll want to start his revenge tour with another trophy to add to his collection It might take us a while to get used to the name of Toulouse - the artists formerly known as Paris He might be sporting a new name on new colors but Franck Seguela will be the same dynamic Frenchman And expect him to be even better following the confidence he built up during an unforgettable 2024 highlighted by claiming Olympic silver on home soil as he became a legendary French athlete The flamboyant Frenchman is a very affable dude who also boasts a killer smile to complement his poster boy good looks But don't let that deceive you because Seguela is ruthless on the half-court and an absolute assassin as he'll prove in Utsunomiya There was uncertainty over whether this Flying Dutchman would return to the half-court in 2025 Would he walk off into the sunset after MVPs at the biggest events of 2024 - Paris Olympics and World Tour Final as de Jong just loves being 'Hype Worthy' The half-court game rekindled his love affair with hoops and he wants to continue holding the crown he took from Stojacic It's going to be a hard act to follow after his heroics in 2024 but you know he'll live up to the hype Get ready because the new Captain America is taking his talents to Miami Caruso is the reigning AmeriCup MVP and now aiming to win his first top honor on the World Tour If there is one player to make the leap to the top tier then our bet is with this athletic marvel He can posterize anyone who dares stand in his way but also has range making him unguardable when he's feeling it All that is missing are trophies on the World Tour and he wants to make up for lost time at Utsunomiya The reigning Euro Cup MVP became a legit superstar in 2024 which included multiple titles on the World Tour The speedster is absolutely mesmerizing to watch and the heart and soul of Vienna who cemented themselves as one of the best in the business last year He can break ankles at will and his finishing at the rim is very impressive for a diminutive player Kaltenbrunner is all passion on the half-court and his emotion at winning last year's Europe Cup in front of his first child was 3x3's version of Rory McIlroy's heartfelt triumph recently at the Masters that swept the world Just feel the goosebumps when he puts it all on the line in Utsunomiya Dennis the Menace will be in Utsunomiya and he'll be out to make your life a living hell It's totally unfair because Donkor is also one of the most gifted scorers in the game having scored the second most points on last year's World Tour one of the premier teams on the World Tour who can sometimes be erratic reliable force and you just know he will again be a two-way terror in Utsunomiya While some of the top players will be dusting off the cobwebs in Utsunomiya, this dude has already had considerable success after leading Serbia to the title at the historic Champions Cup with an MVP performance. As we can glean from his dope nickname - 'The Gladiator' - the muscular Milivojevic is all power on the half-court. When he gathers steam, the Serb is impossible to stop as he makes the leap into the absolute top tier. Don't bet against Milivojevic going back-to-back with MVPs to start a year that he's destined to define. which set them on their way to dominant seasons but fell short in an epic final to Miami (USA) last year the spectacular Serbs are out to start 2025 with a bang but will face foes Liman and Partizan in Pool A Their rivalry with legendary Liman will go up a level, while Partizan will be out for an early season statement and boast red-hot Stefan Milivojevic, who started 2025 with MVP at the historic Champions Cup. Pool B is led by Toulouse (FRA), the fun-loving Frenchmen you knew as Paris. They might be wearing different colors, but these dudes are set to once again unleash chaos on the World Tour as superstar Franck Seguela eyes the crown. Seguela faces a mouth-watering individual battle with Dennis Donkor, who is a two-way monster and Riffa's (BRN) talisman. Also in this pool is London (USA). Don't think these dudes are from England, they are the artists formerly known as Princeton (USA). And they boast Austin Butler, who should no longer be mistaken for his Hollywood namesake. It's probably taken us too long to get to defending champs Miami (USA). They look a bit different this season, but have not lost their potency with athletic beast Henry Caruso set to become Captain America after signing with Miami in the off-season. Miami face in Pool C the always competitive Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), who boast high-flyer Modestas Kumpys, and hometown heroes Utsunomiya (JPN). Last but certainly not least is Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED), fresh off the dizzying heights of 2024 when they won almost all the big prizes. They are armed with two Olympic gold medalists, including MVP Worthy de Jong who you just know will bring the hype to Utsunomiya. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - The iconic 3x3 city of Utsunomiya Japan will once again host the world’s best players next season as it stages the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Opener on April 26-27 Players and fans will be assured of the very best start to the World Tour as they return to a city known for hosting 3x3 events of the highest quality with unforgettable atmospheres It will be the fourth consecutive time that Utsunomiya has hosted the World Tour Opener to hosting four World Tours between 2016-2019 The 3x3-loving city also staged the FIBA 3x3 UOQT 2 - Olympic Qualifying Tournament on 3-5 May 2024 further showcasing its credentials as a leading host of 3x3 Read the full story on SportsLook - Chiba Sweeps B.League Rival Utsunomiya in Season-Opening Series FUNABASHI, Chiba Prefecture ― There was good news and bad news for the Chiba Jets on Sunday, October 6, when the title-chasing club played its second game of the 2024-25 B.League season New head coach Trevor Gleeson's club exhibited high-energy, efficient basketball at both ends of the court. And the Jets completed a two-game sweep of the Utsunomiya Brex winning 80-61 at their brand-new home venue It appeared that former NBA forward Yuta Watanabe was on the verge of another strong performance for his new team Watanabe scored the game's first points on a driving layup He also nailed a 3-pointer to put the Jets ahead 5-0 with 7:51 to play in the opening stanza Watanabe collided with Brex guard Makoto Hiejima while defending him Watanabe landed awkwardly and injured his left ankle Chiba jumped out to a 21-12 lead by the end of the first quarter "It was a really good start for the first quarter," Gleeson said the team provided an injury update in a news release Watanabe is expected to be sidelined for six weeks with a sprained left ankle joint Watanabe had 16 points and eight rebounds in the Jets' 91-84 overtime victory the Jets showcased their roster depth and determination Togashi had 10 points in the second quarter and Smith added eight points to help carry the Jets to a commanding 47-27 lead at halftime "Our bench did an absolutely great job out there especially with the injuries and getting into foul trouble," Gleeson said "It was a very good weekend to start off the season and hopefully we can get into a little bit of a rhythm." DJ Newbill who led the Brex with 35 points in the series opener had eight of his 10 points in the third quarter on Sunday.  which trailed by as many as 25 points and never held the lead didn't have enough consistent scoring in the rematch.  The Brex faced a 19-point deficit entering the fourth quarter and they were held to 32.9% shooting (19 of 59) Smith summed up his team's performance by saying "I just feel that the team was clicking on all cylinders." Grant Jerrett had a team-high 14 points for the Brex Coming off a B.League-best 51-9 season and a first-round exit in the playoffs Utsunomiya parted ways with head coach Norio Sassa and promoted Kevin Braswell to replace him in June 2024 Reflecting on the 19-point loss less than 24 hours after a hard-fought overtime game "I think from start to finish today we looked like we were tired Braswell emphasized that the team is implementing changes to how it plays relying less on set plays and more on going with the flow of the game to run the offense Braswell noted that the Jets are a team with dynamic one-on-one skills "There's a lot of one-on-one that they can do They can play basketball," Braswell said of the Jets "That's where I want to get us to towards the end of the season." Continue reading the full story on SportsLook Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.  You must be logged in to post a comment. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Utsunomiya has become a staple of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour with the Japanese city tipping off the season yet again this year with the Opener on April 27 - 28 “Utsunomiya City has hosted the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in front of the Otorii Gate of Futarayama Shrine a symbol of Utsunomiya's history and culture and has worked to revitalize the local economy by welcoming many people from all over Japan and abroad through the tournament,” said Eeichi Sato “The FIBA 3x3 World Tour has also helped spread the culture and charm of Utsunomiya Japan has risen in Asia as a hub for 3x3 over the past few years and continues to integrate the game into its sporting lifestyle “In order to bring 3x3 closer to as many citizens as possible we held the "Utsunomiya Mayor’s Cup" for elementary school students in the city the "3x3 Junior Cup" for elementary school students representing each prefecture we have been working on the installation of basketball goals in elementary and junior high schools and parks in the city,” Sato added The efforts have made Utsunomiya prime ground to tip off what is certain to be one of the biggest seasons in 3x3 “It is a great honor to be able to host the Utsunomiya Opener again in 2024 and we will hold a grand event to further boost 3x3 in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.” The 2024 season marks the third consecutive year where Utsunomiya has held the World Tour Opener bringing together fervent fans of the sport to the marquee event “The FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2023 attracted 70,000 visitors and had a record economic impact of approximately 586.4 million yen,” Sato said Speaking on the future of this partnership “We have agreed with FIBA to hold the Opener in Utsunomiya until 2028 during our visit to the FIBA headquarters last year and we will continue to hold the tournament in the future to further enhance the effects of holding the tournament and build a firm position as the most prominent City of 3x3 All eyes are set on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and what better venue than Utsunomiya to get the action rolling Semi-finals & Finals | World Tour | Utsunomiya Secure your spot now for an experience of lifetime at the Winter Olympic Games in the magical Italy Read the full story on SportsLook - Utsunomiya Brex Extend Winning Streak to 10 Games in the B.League After back-to-back defeats to the Chiba Jets to open the 2024-25 B.League season, the Utsunomiya Brex have rattled off 10 consecutive wins the visiting Brex outscored the Ibaraki Robots 26-9 in the second quarter and led 44-34 entering the second half on Wednesday Utsunomiya (10-2) is tied for the best record in the 24-team league along with the San-en NeoPhoenix, the Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Brex head coach Kevin Braswell's team earned an attention-grabbing sweep of the Shimane Susanoo Magic on Saturday and Sunday Veteran big man Kosuke Takeuchi an integral part of the frontcourt since he joined the club in 2016 in the Brex's victory-clinching fourth quarter on Sunday.  the Brex collected their fifth consecutive win in games decided by 10 or fewer points "When we are able to close games the way we do all the learnings that we've had and all the close games early in the season that's just helped us get better and better in these types of situations," Braswell told reporters on Sunday the Susanoo Magic had an 8-1 record and had already established once again that they are one of the Western Conference's top teams Utsunomiya has had five leading scorers in its past 10 games Reigning B.League MVP DJ Newbill leads the way with four top-scoring games in that span including a season-best 36-point output against the Sendai 89ers on October 20 Other team-leading scorers during the win streak included Grant Jerrett (three times) and Makoto Hiejima, Gavin Edwards and Takeuchi (one apiece) Similar productivity in rebounding is another element of the team's recipe for success this season Continue reading the full story on SportsLook You must be logged in to post a comment The city of Utsunomiya has finally got itself a fast and pleasant means of urban transport with this new tramway with a futuristic look that is changing the city Utsunomiya had been considering the installation of a light fast tramway-type means of transport to relieve congestion and supply a city that was growing in size and population: 500,000 inhabitants in the city of Utsunomiya alone and over 800,000 including the metropolitan area The model is based on the Strasbourg network in France A project then planned to serve the eastern districts of the city from JR station to the industrial outskirts via the universities on the Yoto campus and over the Kinu River a tricky point as it required major engineering structures the Utsunomiya Light Rail line opened in August 2023 It had been decades since there had been a new tramway line in Japan (after Takaoka and Toyama) The plan is for the line to continue to the other side of JR station Tôbu station and the Tochigi Fine Arts Museum the population embraced its new mode of transport fluid in the urban environment and highly stylish A brand-new line that blends in perfectly with the city's urban fabric the tram's layout has been designed to shake up the ubiquitous role of the private car with the added bonus of large sections of exclusive right-of-way to ensure good frequency for users The frequency isone streetcar every 6 to 8 minutes between 6am and 9am for the rush as great as the expectations for this new means of urban transport The only negative point so far is that the line stops at JR's Utsunomiya station We need to move to the other side as soon as possible for easy connections between the two companies East Utsunomiya Station (JLM) Utsunomiya Light Rail Tobiyama Castle station (JLM) Utsunomiya Light Rail Utsunomiya Station East (JLM) Close A magnificent futuristic designThe HU300 series tram adopts a bold futuristic line to give a purposeful image to the young city of Utsunomiya The Utsunomiya Light Rail company logo echoes the streetcar's streamlined shape All stations have access ramps and the streetcars have low floors to improve accessibility for all rising high to provide a magnificent view of the banks of the Kinu The tramway almost becomes a tourist train here Total travel time on the line is around 45 minutes to all 20 stations from a minimum of 150 yen to a maximum of 400 yen Present it at a terminal as you enter the streetcar and just before exiting From Utsunomiya Shinkansen & Local trains station it's a short 2-3-minute walk to the streetcar's terminus and the east exit (Utsunomiya Station East) Utsunomiya Light Rail HU300 inside (RailwayFan) The "Hinabi" Joyful Train JR East has just launched a Joyful train in northern Honshu Chiba Urban Suspended Monorail The Chiba Monorail is a very special urban transport system but also a handy way to escape the daily traffic jams 52 Seats of Happiness Train Japanese Stations Getting Around Tokyo Shinkansen Travel Tips Itineraries for Japan Getting Around Kyoto Train in Japan Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers Read the full story on SportsLook - New Boss in Utsunomiya: Kevin Braswell Promoted to Head Coach of the B.League Squad the former Georgetown University guard coached a trio of teams in New Zealand (Wellington Saints Auckland Huskies) before moving on to Akita Sassa said he expects the Brex to be a title contender next season "I believe that the team has returned to a position where it can aim for another championship," said Sassa who took over as head coach after the team won the franchise's second B.League title in the 2021-22 season under then-bench boss Ryuzo Anzai "I am very excited to be named head coach for the 2024-25 season," Braswell "[and] I would like to thank the Brex organization for believing in and entrusting me to lead such a great team." "I am confident that this team will compete at a high level and will be able to challenge again to achieve the goals that we did not reach this season When I came to the Brex for the 2023-24 season our goal was to win a championship and that will not change." Continue reading the full story on SportsLook You must be logged in to post a comment. UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - The calendar has ticked over into April and that means the FIBA 3x3 World Tour's new season is about to start The 14th season will launch in traditional style at the Utsunomiya Opener on April 26-27 and there will be 14 teams eager to start on a winning note The best of the best will be pitted against one another in Utsunomiya Japan's historical site that has been home to many famous 3x3 games over the years The top 10 ranked teams received their spots through hard seeds with No.1 Ub narrowly falling short of a three-peat last year after falling to Miami (USA) in an epic final Some of your favorite players will be back on the half-court and determined to start the season strongly with reigning World Tour Final champs Amsterdam (NED) having already announced their line-up Another team to have confirmed their line-up is Partizan (SRB), who are desperate to rebound after a title-less run on last year's World Tour. But they will unleash superstar Stefan Milivojevic, who is set to take his dynamic game to new heights after an MVP performance for Serbia at the first-ever FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup The 3x3 Gladiator was flexing his guns in Bangkok and he is hoping to do the same alongside rising star Vuk Borovicanin but you will recognize the dudes wearing different colors No.2 seed Toulouse are the artists formerly known as Paris while London aren't a team from England They have rebranded from iconic Princeton as they start a new chapter for American 3x3 There needs to be a local flavor and the Japanese fans will have four teams to get behind with Sagamihara HIU EXE Utsunomiya and Hiratsuka all hoping to go on giant-killing runs These Japanese teams have received their place through wildcards Hopes are high after the success of Japan's men's side at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 with scoring machine Ryo Ozawa producing a heater for the ages in Singapore As we inch closer to the Utsunomiya Opener stay tuned for confirmed line-ups of all the 14 teams gunning for glory at what promises to be the best ever World Tour EF Education-Easypost rider takes victory in Utsunomiya ahead of Ilan Van Wilder and Matej Mohorič Neilson Powless (EF Education-Easypost) took his second victory at the 1.Pro ranked Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race on Sunday launching his sprint early to beat his break companions to the line after an attack-heavy final 5km who had to fight his way back to the lead group on the final lap Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Victorious) was third in the 144.2km race run over 14 laps of the 10.3km Utsunomiya City Forest Park circuit.  "I knew I was pretty confident in my sprint but in the end so when Vansevenant attacked I knew it was the perfect moment to use it and jump in his draft The race which works its way past the Akagawa Dam and delivers a total of 2,590m of elevation gain through the 14 laps on the 10.3km loop The bulk of the climbing comes in a winding uphill section through Kogashi Forest Road soon after the start with a group of riders quick to take advantage of the uphill straight from the gun Andrea Pasqualon (Bahrain-Victorious) opened up the attacks but the peloton was determined not to capitulate quite so early keeping the race largely intact to the top of the first ascent the gap was then established on the long descent.  It was first a group of nine that then fluctuated with a number joining from the now shattered peloton while others launched off the front Powless and Woods had capitalised on the climb to launch off the front Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal-Quickstep) and his teammate Mauri Vansevenant utilising the downhill to then make the junction.  By the time the lead group of five had 20km to go the gap to the next chase had stretched out to closer to a minute The quintet out front also held the gap as the bell rang for the final lap and then on the last climb to the KOM point both Van Wilder and Mohorič dangled though the Bahrain-Victorious rider battled to keep the lead three within sight the lead group of four started looking at each other giving the Soudal-Quickstep rider a chance to rejoin the group that also included his teammate Vansevenant Powless ultimately triumphed in the tactical battle at the end of the mild and sunny edition of the event quite a contrast to the conditions of last year when Rui Costa won a rain-soaked edition of the race Results powered by FirstCycling She joined Cyclingnews as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor Previously she worked as a freelance writer Australian Editor at Ella CyclingTips and as a correspondent for Reuters and Bloomberg Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport Michael Woods has wrapped up his 2024 season with fourth place in Saturday’s Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race a UCI 1.Pro-rated race running its 31st edition American Neilson Powless was the winner for the second time Rusty came 10th in the Japan Cup Criterium The route called for 14 laps of a circuit that included 4.7-km Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race 2024🚩 Utsunomiya🏁 Utsunomiya🚴🏻‍♂️ 140 Km ☁ Weather: Broken clouds 🌡️📉 Min: 14°C | 📈 Max: 14°C💧 Humidity: 62%🌬️ Wind: 16.7 km/h from NRoute: https://t.co/bdUcjgDFcW pic.twitter.com/3TZvXyMFZj — La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) October 19, 2024 A sextet of fugitives centered around Simon Yates attacked early but it didn’t stick it out for the duration With 41 km to go Woods and Powless made their own move and drew three more fellows Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Being ranked No.1 does come with more than mere prestige They are the only team to receive a hard-seed at four events in 2025 As one of the top 10 ranked teams in the world they will start the season at the Utsunomiya Opener having made the final there the last three years It's little surprise they want to visit Chengdu having memorably won it last year But they will want to improve in Marseille and Hong Kong having exited in the quarters at those stops last year Underlining their rise over the past 12 months the Frenchmen formerly known as Paris weren't at the Utsunomiya Opener 2024 But they will arrive in Japan as the No.2 seed and they'll also be a hard-seed in Vienna and Hong Kong Vienna is a new stop on this year's World Tour while Paris fell agonizingly short of winning last year's Hong Kong Final after losing to Amsterdam The Americans will be aiming to go back-to-back in Utsunomiya and start the season with a statement just like they memorably did last year They return to Amsterdam having missed out on playing there last year after making the final in 2023 Miami reached the quarters at the Hong Kong Final last year and they'll be back in the famous Asian locale in July The Dutch Masters finished 2024 with a higher approval rating than Kendrick Lamar and they will hope the momentum spills over to the season-opener in Utsunomiya They are keen to be part of the first World Tour event in Vienna while arriving in Hong Kong will bring back great memories after taking out last year's World Tour Final The Austrians will be looking to start the season better than in 2024 when they flamed out at the quarters of the Utsunomiya Opener Vienna will make their first appearance in Amsterdam since winning the title in the Dutch capital in 2023 while they made the quarters in Marseille last year but are determined to do even better this time around The lethal Lithuanians are out for revenge like Drake after they crashed out on Day One at last year's Utsunomiya Opener They are also a hard-seed in Chengdu and will be determined to do better than their quarter-final appearance in 2024 while they journey to Ulaanbaatar having not played there in 2024 The legendary Serbs will make their first appearance in Utsunomiya since 2022 when they made the quarters You know Liman will be extra pumped after going through last year titleless on the World Tour Liman will also journey to Ulaanbaatar as hard-seeds after not playing there last year The Serbs will be hoping for more luck in Utsunomiya after a tough campaign last year when they flamed out early But Edmonton has been a happy hunting ground with Partizan making the semis there last year The artists formerly known as Princeton haven't been sighted at the Utsunomiya Opener since a runner-up finish in 2022 while London should be well and truly their own brand by the time they arrive in Vienna The Nagasaki Velca face a tall task ahead in the form of the powerhouse Utsunomiya Brex in a final Japan B.League weekend slate of the month of March Nagasaki looks to bounce back following a tight 78-77 defeat at the hands of the Hiroshima Dragonflies in their last outing It was their second loss in the last three outings after winning four straight hiking their win-loss record to 21-24 for the sixth place in the Western Conference [Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.] We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website 2025年3月17日（月）～18日（火）、帝京大学宇都宮キャンパスにて、同キャンパス学友会が、不要になった本やDVDを寄付する「もったいないりぶっく」に参加しました。 今回の活動は、宇都宮市もったいない運動市民会議事務局が企画しており、古本・CDなどを古本募金きしゃぽんへ送ると、買取金がそのまま宇都宮市もったいない運動市民会議へ寄付されるものです。 当日の受付を学友会メンバーが行い、2日間で教職員からダンボール2箱分の書籍を回収しました。活動に参加した学友会メンバーは「今回、もったいないりぶっくの活動を通して古書の買取金が寄付されるという仕組みに感心を持った。主に教員からの寄付が多かったが、次回からは自分も寄付をし、友人にも呼びかけて活動に参加したい」と感想を述べました。 ご協力をいただいた皆さま、ありがとうございました。 トピックス一覧へ UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) – The 12th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour – the flagship competition of the FIBA 3x3 professional season – will travel around the globe 2023 season: Utsunomiya Opener (April 29-30) Manila Masters (May) Macau  Masters (July) Edmonton Masters (July) Prague Masters (August) Lausanne Masters (August) Debrecen Masters (August) Constanta Masters (September) Cebu Masters (September) Amsterdam Masters (October) Chengdu Masters (October) Abu Dhabi Masters (October) World Tour Final (December) The exact location and dates of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final 2023 will be announced at a later stage More World Tour Masters will be added to the calendar later in the season A first list of Challengers (international qualifiers) will be released in February Ub Huishan NE (SRB) won the 11th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Final on December 10-11 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions 3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games Maurice Lacroix the Official Timekeeper and Chooks-to-Go the Global Partner of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2022 FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls Bodet shot-clocks and the Magic Sky canopy system or if you have an account please login teiss® is a registered trademark of Lyonsdown Ltd Representatives from overseas industry organizations visit the Nikko Kanaya Hotel in the nearby city of Nikko as part of Utsunomiya's MICE promotional tour. (Photo by Haruka Yoshida) wants to be a major destination for global MICE -- meetings The city has already launched promotional tours and is training staff as it aims to attract wealthy tourists and stimulate the local economy Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture was the nation’s top consumer of gyoza dumplings in 2024 for the second year in a row The survey by the internal affairs ministry’s family income and expenditure survey released Feb 7 found that households of two or more people in Hamamatsu spent an average of 4,066 yen ($26.80) on takeout gyoza while Utsunomiya ranked third at 2,801 yen The three cities ranked in the same order in 2023 They have been battling for supremacy for years prefectural capitals and other major cities covered gyoza bought for takeout Frozen dumplings and gyoza dishes consumed in restaurants were excluded Surveys such as this can prove hugely beneficial to a municipality promoting local specialties and delicacies Hamamatsu-style gyoza soul food is increasingly gaining nationwide recognition Niigata has been trying to oust Yamagata as the nation’s top spender on ramen and other Chinese noodle dishes consumed in restaurants 1 spot for three straight years in 2024 with spending of 22,389 yen per household Niigata toppled its archrival in 2021 and finished second for three straight years in 2024 at 16,292 yen Okayama pushes curry with secret ingredient: White peach chutney cry over closure of beloved Kobe gyoza eatery　 ‘Gyoza King’ feared for his life at the hands of gangsters Yakuza base searched over shooting death of ‘Gyoza King’ many people turning to guilty pleasure foods Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser. Copyright THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. The players who competed at a World Tour event this year Players vote via an online form.How do the votes work?For each panel the 5 players who receive the most votes get points as follows:1 1ptThe points coming from the 2 panels are then aggregated the player who received the most votes from the players panel wins the tie-breaker When do they vote?Vote opens on October 22 and closes on October 30 at noon GMT specializes in customizing large motorcycles and has clients throughout Japan Motorcycles with monster engines like a Harley Davidson spew greenhouse gases like nobody’s business Achieving “carbon neutrality,” or zero emissions is something the company has spent ages working on A Harley is known as a hog by its diehard fan base And Harley riders in their spare time like nothing better than to tinker with their engines and make sure that every piece of chrome gleams in the sun If environmental regulations are strengthened the petrol heads may not be able to show off their beloved motorcycles High Field turned its attention to converting large motorcycles to EVs by replacing the engine with a motor a Yokohama-based automotive technology company that is a pioneer in the field with the aim of establishing the technology for motorcycles The challenge was where to place the battery the frame of a two-wheeled vehicle has only a limited space to work with Appearance was another challenge as the engine exhaust pipes and tank are themselves key elements of motorcycle design When it came to deciding on the placement of the batteries which for reasons of size could not fit within the frame of the engine section they were placed on both sides of the vehicle body in the form of side boxes This enabled the motorcycle to travel 160 to 220 kilometers on a single charge but the motor was covered like a car engine to keep the illusion of raw power alive was left in place to allow the rider to enjoy a sense of operating the motorcycle recognizing the social significance of the project helped with the development costs by providing a subsidy of approximately 10 million yen ($63,350) the shop hopes to prepare kits for different types of motorcycles and aims to offer them for between 500,000 yen and 1,000,000 yen “Motorcycles are attractive because of the sound and vibration produced by the engine but there is no way to change the trend toward carbon neutrality.” She said the company wants to popularize EVs “as an option for motorcycle customization.” who came up with the idea of converting Harleys to EVs He honed his skills at a motorcycle shop in Tochigi Prefecture he became independent and went on to establish Team High Field the company won the main prize at the largest Harley custom show in Japan Makoto declared that the business would work on converting gasoline-powered hogs to EVs without compromising on the look of the vehicles “Harleys are only as good as their engines.” Makoto clung to the belief that conversion was bound to happen sooner rather than later He began consulting with Oz Motors about a technical tie-up Makoto was diagnosed with stomach cancer and was continuously in and out of the hospital just after he had submitted an application for a government subsidy project to start the project in earnest the shop received word that the project had been selected for a government grant Ueno took over the project along with the chief engineer and others Since Makoto did not leave behind any details of the design Ueno and the staff finished the project based on their memories of past chats What was important was to achieve both “good looks” and “safety,” Ueno said Many custom motorcycles are not easy to drive because of their appearance but Makoto focused on making sure that the Harleys run and stop properly The motto of looks and safety remained unchanged in the EV conversion and they made sure that the bikes were easy to handle for riders ‘We have created a motorcycle that will keep its cool style and create new fans Enthusiasts risk life and limb to ride prewar motorcycles Harley-Davidson Japan probed over suspected coercive sales Kawasaki rolls out world-first hydrogen engine motorcycle The making of a legend and the role of ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Son repays dad with Honda bike he sold off to get him into baseball Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission. TOKYO (Japan) - The craze for AKATSUKI JAPAN is alive and well and such is confirmed in the expected attendance at the first game of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Window 2 where Japan will face Mongolia which will be played at the Nikkan Arena Tochigi in Utsunomiya on Thursday The venue serves as the home venue for the Japanese B.League's Utsunomiya Brex and was also one of the venues that hosted the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week in 2023 were also played at home for Japan at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo The two Windows 1 games saw a crowded venue combined for a total of 17,717 seats filled Japan have recently named a training camp squad which ill gather on November 11 including the likes of star veterans like Yuta Watanabe They will be facing an exciting group in the Mongolia national team Despite being winless so far after losing to both China and Guam in Window 1 Mongolia play an exciting and fun style of basketball that can be an issue for any opponent they go up against Will March bring a new sense of hope for Dwight Ramos and the struggling Levanga Hokkaido in Japan's B.LEAGUE The last time the 26-year-old suited up for Levanga he exited early in due to an undisclosed injury during a 73-68 defeat to Gunma Crane Thunders in their last outing.  But Ramos was healthy enough to play for Gilas Pilipinas and is expected to be in action as Hokkaido hopes to pull off an upset over the 31-6 Utsunomiya, who are on a five-game winning streak Matthew Wright and the Kawasaki Brave Thunder take on fellow surging team Utsunomiya Brex There's nothing sweeter for a birthday present than a dub Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Shiga Lakestars Wright showed his offensive efficiency in pouring 15 points in just 17 minutes during Kawasaki’s narrow 98-95 win.  the sweet-shooting guard had just five points But the Brave Thunders dominated the Lakerstars Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo whose practice explores the boundaries between nature and society This stirring piece of art functions as both something to appreciate with multiple senses and a literally immersive experience that could be described as a sauna fuelled by both herb-infused steam and Kuribayashi’s creative powers ’the furnace of vitality’) stands down in a tree-enclosed open-air space in Utsunomiya’s Oyamachi Its custom-built furnace boils water infused with medicinal herbs then sends the aromatic steam through a pipe and up out of a sculptural arrangement of wood resembling the hollowed-out base of a voluminous tree The surrounding ‘cavern’ is pervaded with a sense of healthy revitalisation Basic admission to the Genki-ro space costs ¥1,500 can be had for a ticket price of ¥3,500 sauna-style room pumped full of the Genki-ro’s high-temperature steam The venue is closed on Tuesday and Thursday Kuribayashi born in Nagasaki prefecture in 1968 and a graduate of Musashino Art University has recently been working between Japan and Indonesia He has previously exhibited at Germany’s Documenta one of the world’s largest and most prestigious contemporary art events To get to the venue, take the Ueno-Tokyo Line through service and alight at Utsunomiya Station. From there, take the ‘立岩 45’ bus and get off at Saruta bus stop. Here’s the Google Map link for Genki-ro The entire journey from Tokyo Station takes around two hours and 40 minutes For more information and to make a reservation, check Genki-ro’s website 3 amazing traditional Japanese festivals happening in Tokyo this May 18-19 weekend Harajuku is bringing back its original 100-year-old station building Tokyo Haneda is the world’s cleanest airport for 2024 In photos: Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area is all ready to open in June The breathtaking 230m-high rooftop bar at Shibuya Sky is now open Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us National Report Rolling stock associated with Tochigi Prefecture ended up with prestigious prizes handed out by the Japan Railfan Club The organization awarded its top Blue Ribbon Prize given to outstanding trains to Tobu Railway Co.’s N100 series limited express train went to Utsunomiya Light Rail Co.’s HU300 tram nicknamed Lightline the Spacia X connects Tokyo’s Asakusa district with the Nikko-Kinugawa area in Tochigi Prefecture in about two hours It offers six varieties of seating options including a private room with a capacity of seven The fan club praised the exterior for its stylish presence and cabin facilities crafted with functional beauty along with state-of-the-art equipment enabling stable operation “We are very glad to receive recognition for design diversity and other factors,” said a Tobu Railway representative The light rail transit (LRT) Lightline went into operation in August last year three-car tram features a streamlined design and its stops have step-free access to street level The tram was cited for its visually striking design Its user-friendliness and passenger comfort were improved by the use of indirect lighting and large side windows as well as a seat pitch on a par with regular trains Utsunomiya Mayor Eiichi Sato noted that the city government has been making efforts to promote barrier-free accessibility and develop a transportation system that runs entirely on locally-generated renewable energy “It is truly gratifying and prideful to receive such prestigious recognition,” he added New Spacia X express train to connect Asakusa with Nikko Magnitude-5.0 quake jolts many parts of the Kanto region ‘Zombie Train’ aims to scare daylights out of passengers UTSUNOMIYA — A variety of rainbow trout, called yashio masu, may become a new specialty product of Utsunomiya, as the city government experiments with breeding fish fed with strawberries. To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page. This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies. Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. By Hiroki Okuyama / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer The city government’s sewerage bureau utilizes water from its purification plant that has not been purified to try to breed yashio masu, giving them food that contains strawberries. Utsunomiya Strawberry Salmon is what it will be branded as, because trout are a breed of salmon. The city government aims to demonstrate the high quality of its tap water and raise the name recognition of yashio masu together with the local strawberries. The city government plans to begin selling the fish in November at the earliest. Yashio masu are a variety of large rainbow trout created by the Tochigi Prefectural Fisheries Experiment Station through selective breeding. Because the fish do not spawn, the quality of their meat is consistent, with good fat distribution. The sewerage bureau breeds the fish in the Shirasawa Water Purification Plant in the city. Bureau officials received instructions from the fisheries experiment station about breeding and used a pond to monitor changes in the quality of the area’s underground water. Officials have bred 100 yashio masu since the middle of January. According to the sewerage bureau, the underground water temperature there is around 15 C throughout the year which is good for the trout. Officials have said that these conditions are expected to accelerate the growth of the fish. Rainbow trout usually need about two years to grow to two or three kilograms in weight, which is an appropriate size for shipping. Yashio masu, weighing 200 grams at the time of their release into the pond, have grown to more than one kilogram in weight after only about half a year. Additionally, officials have soaked premade feed pellets in liquefied strawberries. The feed pellets are then dried and then given to the fish. The strawberries used are provided free of charge by farmers in the area around the water purification plant. They provide Sky Berry brand fruit which did not meet standards for selling. Sewerage bureau officials have not had a chance to taste the fish, so it is unknown what impact the strawberries have on the flavor of the fish. But they expect that the vitamin C and polyphenol contained in strawberries may help the fish grow healthy. The original intention behind breeding the trout was to “demonstrate the high quality of the city’s tasty tap water.” Before that, the bureau had implemented various demonstrations for the same purpose, such as selling tap water in plastic bottles and producing video clips to demonstrate the high water quality. The breeding of yashio masu was planned as one of such demonstrations. Then, the officials devised a plan to make yashio masu into the city’s new specialty product. With the combination of fish with strawberries, which are already famous local specialties, the officials aim to capitalize on the brand value of yashio masu to the fullest. The officials plan to sell some fish starting in November and hold a tasting event, inviting people in luxury restaurants, high-end ryotei Japanese restaurants, hotels and other establishments to try it. The officials will continue breeding the remaining fish and plan to ship them in spring next year when they have grown to around three kilograms. If the fish meets with rave reviews, the bureau will consider expanding the breeding project. An official of the bureau said, “We hope that making the salmon into an Utsunomiya specialty will help people to understand how safe and tasty the tap water they use here is.” Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Just 5 weeks after Team Ulaanbaatar Garuda became the first-ever Mongolian team to qualify for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour (at the 3x3 Nanjing Challenger) 5 Mongolian teams are looking to make history again during the 4th event of the Challenger season these standalone tournaments that qualify 2 teams for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Arkhangai, Khovd, South Gobi, Sukhbaatar and Ulaanbaatar Garuda (and all 16 participating teams) will be eyeing the 20,000 USD in prize money and the 2 tickets for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Masters The top 2 teams in the world and eternal rivals Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE 2) will both compete in the Mongolian capital They will be joined by 3 more teams from the Top 15: Amsterdam (NED Both Ljubljana and Ulaanbaatar Garuda have already clinched their ticket to the Utsunomiya Masters, meaning that if the teams reach the final of the Ulaanbaatar Challenger the team ranked third and fourth will fly to Japan on July 29-30 The event starts at 1pm local time on Saturday (GMT+8) and will be livestreamed The final is scheduled for 7.30pm local time on Sunday Seeding