Only In Japan - A National Hole Digging Competition!

The Japanese are definitely trendsetters - They have done it in music, in fashion and now it seems, even extreme sports! Last Sunday, while most of the USA was engrossed in the big game, about 1,000 Japanese residents were feverishly digging up holes! No, they were not getting ready for spring, but competing, to make the biggest dent in the ground in the allotted 30 minutes.

And believe it or not, this annual All-National Hole Digging Competition, held at a campground in outskirts of Tokyo, is now in its eleventh year! Originally conceived as a way to attract tourists during the slow season, the contest has become increasingly popular, each year.

This year was no exception - Over 200 enthusiastic teams from all over the nation showed up bright and early, with shovels in hand. While there were a few amateur teams comprising of only women, elementary school students or families, most of the competitors were professionals - i.e. people like road maintenance or gas company employees, who dig holes for a living.

The competition has just a few rules. All shovels have to meet the measurement regulations set by the organizers and throwing dirt into a competitor's hole is absolutely forbidden.

This year's grand prize winner of 10,000 yen ( about $1,285 USD) and the coveted Golden Shovel managed to carve out 3.26 meters or 10ft.8in. in the 30-minutes. Prizes were also awarded for the most 'creative' hole dug, the contestant with the most original costume, as well as, the deepest hole dug by an all women and all-kids team.

Once the competitors left, the owners of the campground, went about re-filling the holes to get it ready for the upcoming summer camp season, obliterating all the hard work, in a short period of time. Do you think a hole-digging competition would be popular in your neighborhood? Be sure to let us know, by adding your comments below.

Resources:telegraph.co.uk,, Japanprobe.com