[October 2nd] The 74th Shogi Oza Tournament will be held at Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha.

On Friday, October 2, 2026, the third game of the 74th Oza Championship five-game series will be held at "Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha".
The current reigning champion is Takumi Ito. This will be his first ever title defense in a best-of-five series. Challenging him is Akihito Hirose 9-dan, a native of Hokkaido, who is making his first challenge for the title. The highly anticipated third game between these two top players is expected to attract significant attention from across the country.

The Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort Center House "Nook Annupuri" is recruiting participants for a live commentary session to coincide with the third game. This is a valuable opportunity to experience the intense battle up close, so please join us!

[74th Shogi Oza Title Match, Game 3]

Venue: Iroha, a hot spring inn in Niseko Town Abuta district, Hokkaido
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Players: Oza titleholder Takumi Ito vs. Oza titleholder/challenger Akihito Hirose, 9th Dan
Organizers: Nikkei Inc., Japan Shogi Association
Special Sponsor: Tokai Tokyo Securities
Sponsored by: Hokkaido Chuo Bus Co., Ltd.

*Please see the press release (PDF) below for details.

The Oza title match is one of the eight major shogi titles, sponsored by the Nikkei Inc. and the Japan Shogi Association. It was established in 1952 and later became a title match, making it a historically significant tournament. Players who win the first and second preliminary rounds, as well as the challenger determination tournament, challenge the reigning Oza champion, and the player who wins three games in a best-of-five series wins the Oza title.

This will be the first time that one of the eight major shogi title matches is held in Niseko Town. Please look forward to it.

 

In conjunction with the tournament, a large-scale commentary session will be held at the Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort Center House "Nook Annupuri". Please feel free to join us with your family and friends.

Date and Time: Friday, October 2, 2026, 2:00 PM - End of game (Registration from 1:00 PM)
Venue: Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort Center House "Nook Annupuri"
481 Niseko, Niseko Town Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Capacity: 100 people (advance registration required, first-come, first-served basis; seats will be assigned by lottery at the reception on the day of the event)
*If you would like to sit next to your family or friends, please inform the reception desk.
Participation fee: 3,500 yen (tax included), advance payment required.
Sales period: September 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to September 27, 2026, 5:00 PM

Contents: Commentary on matches by professional and female professional shogi players.
Commentator: Yuki Saito 4th Dan
Interviewer: Ai Watanabe, Women's 4th Dan


*For details on application, payment methods, etc., please see the PDF below or the Japan Shogi Association website.