Bowling Day

What Is Bowling Day?

June 22 is "Bowling Day" in Japan. It comes from an advertisement in the English-language newspaper "The Nagasaki Shipping List and Advertiser," dated June 22, 1861 (Bunkyū 1), announcing the opening of a bowling alley in Nagasaki's foreign settlement. This is considered Japan's first bowling alley, and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan established the day in 1972. The aim is to share the appeal of bowling with more people.

Japanese Bowling Began in Late-Edo Nagasaki

Bowling arrived in Japan as a social venue for foreigners in Nagasaki after the port opened.

• The "International Bowling Saloon": This alley opened in the foreign settlement of Ōura in Nagasaki at the end of the Edo period. It is said to have been a popular social spot where foreigners could also enjoy light food and drink between games. A monument marking "the birthplace of bowling in Japan," erected by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan, stands in Ōura-machi, Nagasaki City.
• The great boom around 1970: Around 1970, a huge bowling boom swept Japan, helped by the popularity of female pro bowlers such as Ritsuko Nakayama, and many bowling alleys opened across the country.

The Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan and Bowling Day

The Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan was founded in 1965 and works to encourage participation in sports through bowling. Around Bowling Day, some bowling alleys offer discounts or run campaigns.

Interesting Facts About Bowling

• Ancient Egypt, too?: Stone objects resembling pins and balls are said to have been found in a child's grave in ancient Egypt, a story often told when tracing bowling's origins.
• How a perfect 300 works: Rolling a strike in every frame, including the two bonus balls in the 10th frame, for 12 strikes in a row gives a score of 300. Because the next rolls are added after a strike or spare, consecutive strikes boost the score quickly.
• Lane oil: Lanes are coated with oil, and how it is applied and how it changes as games are played affects how the ball curves. Skilled bowlers read the oil conditions and adjust their throws.
• Where "turkey" comes from: Three strikes in a row are called a "turkey," reportedly because bowlers in the United States who achieved it were once given a turkey as a prize.
• A sport for life: Players can choose a ball weight to suit their age and strength, so children and seniors can enjoy bowling together.

Ideas for Bowling Day

• Head to a bowling alley for the first time in a while and enjoy a game with family or coworkers.
• Try thinking through how to aim at the remaining pins to pick up a spare.
• Plan a bowling tournament as a workplace recreation event.
• Look into the history of the foreign settlement in late-Edo Nagasaki.

The Fun of Knocking Down Pins, Starting in Late-Edo Nagasaki

June 22 is the date of the advertisement that marks the beginning of bowling in Japan. Why not enjoy bowling today, a pastime that spread from a Nagasaki social club more than 160 years ago?