The 5th Asian Para Games open in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture on 18 October 2026 and run through to 24 October. Around 3,000 para athletes from 45 countries across Asia will compete across 18 sports. For travellers in Japan this month, the Games offer a rare chance to watch world-class para sport in a city that sits squarely on the Shinkansen corridor between Tokyo and Osaka.
What Are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are the continent’s flagship multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee under the patronage of the International Paralympic Committee. The Aichi-Nagoya edition is the 5th in the series and the first ever hosted in Japan. The event uses the same venues as the regular Asian Games, which concluded in the region in early October.
Sports on the Programme
Eighteen para sports are scheduled across the six-day programme:
Para athletics, Para swimming, Para archery, Para badminton, blind football, boccia, Para cycling, goalball, Para judo, Para powerlifting, shooting Para sport, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.
Competitions will take place across multiple venues in Nagoya and the wider Aichi Prefecture region.
Getting to Nagoya
Nagoya is straightforward to reach from anywhere in Japan. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Nagoya with Tokyo in approximately one hour 40 minutes and with Osaka in around 50 minutes. The station is also the hub for the Chuo and Kansai lines heading toward the mountains.
If you hold a Japan Rail Pass, Nagoya is covered on the standard JR Pass routes. Note that the JR Pass price increases that took effect on 1 October 2026 apply, so factor that into your planning.
What Else to See in Nagoya
Nagoya is an underrated stop on the Japan circuit. The castle complex at Nagoya Castle is a genuine rival to Osaka and Kumamoto in terms of scale, and the Nagoya-meshi food scene (featuring hitsumabushi grilled eel on rice, miso katsu, and kishimen flat noodles) is one of Japan’s most distinct regional food cultures.
The city is also the base for day trips to Inuyama Castle and the Meiji Mura open-air architectural museum, both less than an hour away by rail or road.
Tickets and Attendance
Para sports events at major Games competitions are typically lower-priced than their Olympic equivalents and often easier to get tickets for. Check the official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 website for remaining ticket availability and session schedules. Boccia, wheelchair basketball, and para swimming often draw the largest crowds and book fastest.
If you are planning to attend multiple sessions, staying in central Nagoya gives the best access to the main venue cluster. For accommodation options, see our Nagoya where to stay guide.