Why not spend an autumn weekend on the tennis court with the whole family? ITC Tennis School, based in Kobe and running tennis schools across Kansai, Japan, holds its “Autumn Nakayoshi (Friendly) Parent-Child Tennis Free Trial” at its schools in turn from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 29, 2026. Both the fee and the racket rental are free, and parents and children with no tennis experience can take part.
Starting from how to hold the racket — no experience needed
The session begins with learning how to hold the racket. Parent and child then face each other and try a rally, and once comfortable move on to a target game aiming at cones. Younger children can simply roll the ball to control it. The finale is a “challenge match” in which parent and child team up against the coach. Winning one point off the coach counts as a big success, and the organizer says it is a moment that makes you want to high-five.
The sessions use a low mini net and soft, slow balls. This is part of the “PLAY + STAY” program recommended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF): because the ball flies slowly, beginners can keep a rally going and quickly get the feeling of “I hit it!” and “we kept it going!”
A local tradition since the school opened in 1985
The “Nakayoshi Parent-Child Tennis Trial” is an event ITC has held since its first school opened in 1985, as a way of thanking the community, and it takes place several times a year in spring, summer and autumn. The company says it experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and took to heart the importance of community ties, and it continues to contribute locally through sports events and support for school club activities.
Schools and dates in Kansai
Dates and times differ by school. The Kansai schools are listed in the details below. Some sessions are cancelled in rain, so check each school’s guidelines before applying. The event is popular every year, and registration closes as soon as places are full.
Event details
- Period: Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 29, 2026, at each school in turn
- Fee: Free (rackets for both parent and child are also lent free)
- What to bring: Comfortable sportswear, sports shoes (tennis shoes are not required), a sweat towel and a drink
- How to apply: Online form (https://forms.gle/Pf6euLhkpSDxY7QT8) or by phone at each school’s front desk
- School details (Japanese): https://www.i-tennis.co.jp/event/
- Hyogo Prefecture
- ITC Ibukinomori Indoor Tennis School (Nishi-ku, Kobe): Sat, Oct 24, 14:30–15:30
- ITC Kobe Nishi Tennis School (Nishi-ku, Kobe): Tue, Nov 3 (holiday), 13:00–14:00 (cancelled in rain)
- ITC Rokko Island Tennis School (Higashinada-ku, Kobe): Sat, Nov 7, 14:00–14:45 (cancelled in rain)
- ITC Univer Kobe Tennis Club (Nishi-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 8, 14:00–15:00 (cancelled in rain)
- Akashi Kaihin Park Tennis School (Akashi): Sat, Nov 21, 14:00–15:00
- Seishin New Town Tennis Garden (Nishi-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 22, 16:00–17:00 (cancelled in rain)
- Myodani Tennis Garden (Suma-ku, Kobe): Mon, Nov 23 (holiday), 15:00–16:00
- Johoku Green Tennis Club (Himeji): Mon, Nov 23 (holiday), 13:00–14:00 (cancelled in rain)
- ITC Kobe Indoor Tennis School (Nagata-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 29, 14:15–15:00
- Nebutani Park Tennis School (Kita-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 29, 12:30–13:20 (cancelled in rain)
- Sky Tennis Lila (Kita-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 29, 16:00–16:50 (cancelled in rain; decided 30 minutes before)
- Oharayama Park Tennis School (Kita-ku, Kobe): Sun, Nov 29, 16:00–16:50 (cancelled in rain; decided 30 minutes before)
- Kyoto and Nara Prefectures
- ITC Kizugawadai Tennis Club (Kizugawa, Kyoto): Sun, Nov 22, 13:00–14:00 (cancelled in rain)
- ITC Kyoto Nishi Indoor Tennis Club (Ukyo-ku, Kyoto): Sun, Nov 29, 13:15–14:00
- Tennis Garden Koryo (Koryo, Nara): Sun, Nov 29, 12:00–12:50
