TSUNAGU Program
Cross the ocean through volleyball.
Volleyball can take you across the world. The TSUNAGU Program is K2 GlobeAthlete's international volleyball and cultural exchange program, connecting athletes in Japan and the United States. Participants travel to Japan not only to play volleyball, but also to experience the country, its people, and its culture.
The TSUNAGU Program is available for both teams and individual athletes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Programs may include:
Joint practices
with Japanese teams
Friendly matches
Visits to professional, elite university & elite high school programs
Training sessions
Cultural experiences
Sightseeing and local activities
Opportunities to build friendships with Japanese athletes
Connecting beyond
language barriers
Our goal goes beyond developing better volleyball players. We want young athletes to experience a different culture, communicate beyond language barriers, build friendships through sports, and discover a bigger world beyond their everyday environment.
CONNECT THROUGH THE GAME · CONNECT WITH THE WORLD
TSUNAGU HISTORY
Every trip builds on the last.
TSUNAGU has run since the summer of 2025 — each trip building on the athletic and cultural exchange of the one before it.
TSUNAGU 3 — the most recently completed trip, Osaka & Tokyo. summer, 2026.
WHO WE FACE
From national university champions to professional youth academies, TSUNAGU keeps growing its network of training partners. Every trip's opponents come together around scheduling and availability at the time — so the exact lineup evolves trip to trip, alongside cultural experiences and sightseeing along the way.
PRO-LEVEL EXPERIENCE (U15–U18)
Osaka Bluteon
2024 Pro League Finalists
Formerly Panasonic Panthers — one of Japan's premier professional clubs, now developing its own U15/U18 pipeline.
Toray Arrows Shizuoka
U15 / U18 Academy
The elite youth pipeline of a flagship Japanese pro club, based in Shizuoka.
Tokyo Great Bears
U15 / U18 Academy
A professional academy training the next generation from the heart of Tokyo.
ELITE SCHOOL & COLLEGE TRAINING
Tokai University
2023 National University 3rd Place
Consistently ranked among Japan's elite collegiate programs.
Aoyama Gakuin University
2024 East Japan Champions
A perennial contender among Japan's top-tier university squads.
Nippon Sport Science University
2024 All Japan University Champions
Known as "Nittai-dai" — one of Japan's most decorated collegiate programs, a regular pipeline to the national team.
Bunkyo Gakuin Univ. Girls High School
National Runner-up · Tokyo Top 4
A historic Tokyo powerhouse with a deep tradition of technical excellence and national competition.
Kyoei Gakuen High School
2024 National Champions
A dominant force in Japanese high school volleyball in recent seasons.
Tokyo Seitoku University High School
Tokyo Powerhouse · National Regular
A historic Tokyo program recognized for its disciplined team play and competitive tradition.
Jissen Gakuen Junior & Senior High School
National Contender · Tokyo Powerhouse
A prominent Tokyo program known for developing elite talent and consistent national appearances.
Sun-dai Gakuen
National Powerhouse · 2024 National 3rd Place
A recognized national powerhouse with a deep competitive tradition.
Kansai University Hokuyo High School
2024 National Best 16
Known as "Kandai Hokuyo" — a consistent qualifier for the national tournament.
Tokyo High School
National Best 16 · Tokyo Top 4
A leading program within Tokyo's highly competitive prefectural circuit.
Toa Gakuen High School
Legendary National Champions
One of the most storied programs in Japanese high school volleyball history.
More schools joining each season
Growing network
New training partners are added as each trip is planned — this list keeps expanding.
TRIP BY TRIP
Browse the full timeline below.
