Sunday at Shonai - 23 Years and Still Going
Every Sunday afternoon in Nagoya, a small, dependable ritual repeats itself. No sign-ups, no fees, no uniforms. Just people showing up to play football together — some for fitness, some for community, some because it’s quietly become part of their week.
This free Sunday kickabout at Shonai Ryokuchi Park has been running for 23 years. In Nagoya, where gyms rebrand and meetup groups quietly vanish, that kind of continuity is rare.
A Low-Pressure Way to Play
This isn’t a league and it’s not training. It’s a classic Sunday kickabout: casual pick-up games, open to all levels, with everything provided. You don’t need the right gear or match fitness. You don’t even need to commit beyond the afternoon you show up.
Players come and go week to week. Some are easing back into exercise. Others just want a relaxed run-around without the structure of a formal team. No one’s keeping score, and no one cares if you’re rusty.
If you’re new to Nagoya, it’s an easy way to meet people without awkward introductions. If you’ve been here a while, it’s a familiar rhythm that doesn’t demand much beyond showing up and moving.
Why It’s Lasted
The group’s staying power comes down to simplicity. There’s no membership structure, no seasonal pressure, and no fixed roles. The games happen because people keep showing up — week after week — and have for more than two decades.
Over time, that kind of reliability becomes its own organizing force.
Where and How to Join|
Games start at 15:30 every Sunday at Shonai Ryokuchi-koen (park), one of Nagoya’s easiest green spaces to reach. The park sits along the Tsurumai Line, and the playing areas are within the larger sports zones of the park.
There’s no registration required. The group communicates via Facebook posts and mentions a WhatsApp group for updates, but neither is required to take part. You just simply turn up on the day.
If you’re looking for a fun way to reset your week—or just get out of the house, this is one of the easiest things to say yes to in Nagoya.
The Details
Shonai F.C Nagoya Sunday Soccer
Venue: Shonai Ryokuchi Park
Date: Every Sunday
Times: From 15:30 pm
Price: Free
Address:
Shonai Ryokuchi Park,
Nishi-ku, Nagoya
Contact:
Via the group’s Facebook Group or by just turning up on the day!
Access
By Subway / Train:
Tsurumai Line → Shonai Ryokuchi Koen Station.
Walk into the park toward the sports fields.
Nagoya Subway Map
Check out our handy guide to using the Nagoya Subway
By Car:
Parking is available near the playing areas, according to the group’s post.
MAP
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