Hiroshima has recovered from the horrific disaster of the atomic bomb and is now a city of one million people, which prays for world peace. Since before the war, Hiroshima has produced many famous volleyball players, such as the late setter, Mr. Katsutoshi Nekoda who won a gold medal in the Munich Olympics in 1972. This year, Hiroshima will host the World Cup for the eighth time which follows Tokyo and Osaka. The competition venue, Hiroshima Arena, filled to capacity for the Asian Games in 1994 and for the Volleyball World Championships in 1998.

[The Sanyo Line / JR] From Hiroshima Station to Kamiya-cho stop by bus or tram, 5 minutes walk

Toyama is a city surrounded by the native beauty of Japan's scenic mountains, the Northern Alps, and the Bay of Toyama which is famous for the mirage - the altitude drop between them is 3000m. Toyama has been well known for pharmacy for over 300 years and there are many pharmaceutical laboratories. In Toyama, people are extremely enthusiastic about volleyball and a great number of international competitions have been staged. The Toyama City Gym was completed just before the previous World Cup and was the main competition site for the National Athletic Meet in 2000. As it is very easily accessible - 5 to 6 minute walk from JR Toyama Station - it is assumed that many volleyball enthusiasts from the Kansai area will visit Toyama.

Access: [Hokuriku-Line / JR] Five-minute walk from the North Exit of the Toyama Station