June 22nd is bowling day

June 22nd is "Bowling Day" 「ボウリングの日」 in Japan. The date was registered in 1972 by the  Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan (BPA), a public interest group with the aim of promoting the appeal of bowling. Reportedly, they chose the date because of an English newspaper article about a bowling alley opening in Nagasaki on June 22nd in 1861! The association has erected a monument in Oura-cho, Nagasaki City, to mark the birthplace of bowling in Japan.

On this day, June 22nd annually, the Bowling Proprietors' Association of Japan openly promote bowling. Each year they run a bowling campaign in association with Ezaki Glico, where they give out a small present to families with young children (subject to availability), who bowl on the day. 

Moreover, bowling centers all over the country hold events and campaigns to mark the day. It is a good day to enjoy a bit of bowling at a discounted price. But to be honest, I find bowling quite reasonable here anyway. You can often get special offers for groups and off peak discounts too. Moreover, the likes of Round1 often give a discount for your next game when you play in their centers.

Initially, when the first bowling alley opened in Nagasaki, it was mainly popular with foreigners, but nowadays it is a popular activity across the nation. We certainly enjoy a few games of bowling every now and then. Have you ever been bowling in Japan?