Frequently Asked Questions

There is no occupational or qualification requirement. The conditions are that you enter via the official website, that you are at least 18 years old, and that you can perform a 30-minute treatment smoothly and without interruption. Please see the Participant Rules for details.

You must be at least 18 years old at the time of the competition.

There are only three:

• You are at least 18 years old on the day of the competition
• You can perform a 30-minute treatment smoothly, without stopping
• You enter yourself, through the official website

There is no requirement as to your occupation or qualifications, and we set no restriction by gender, nationality or the salon you belong to. See the Participant Rules for details.

Yes. There is no requirement for years of experience. If you are 18 or over and can carry out a 30-minute treatment without stopping, you are eligible.

Judging looks at the treatment itself against eight criteria; your background and where you work are not part of the score.

Multiple entries in the same division by the same person will be disqualified, and entry fees cannot be refunded. However, you may enter up to two divisions as long as they are different.

No. Participation by anyone other than the registered individual (fraudulent participation or transfer of rights) is not permitted. Please enter yourself.

Entries open at 19:00 JST (10:00 UTC) on Tuesday 27 October 2026 and close at 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC) on Monday 15 March 2027.

You are welcome to ask us about divisions or how the day runs before entries open.

1. Choose your division (up to two per person)
2. Enter through the official website and pay the entry fee
3. We send you the rules, the judging criteria and the running order in advance
4. On the day, you compete at the venue (Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Second Gymnasium)

The entry form and online payment will be switched on progressively on this site.

Once your entry is complete, we do not accept changes of division or cancellations. Thank you for your understanding.

Entry fees are not refunded, including when you are unable to compete for personal reasons (such as illness or cancelling your trip).

Each round is contested by up to 15 competitors, and the competition floor is set with up to 15 treatment beds.

The number of places per division for MCWT2027 will be announced once the running order is settled. The previous championship (AMC2026) drew 463 entries across all divisions.

We will tell you everything about the rules, the judging criteria and the flow of the day in advance.

The venue provides treatment beds and mats only. Nothing else is provided, so please be aware of this in advance. Bring your own consumables such as oil, sheets and towels, and whatever you use to cover the treatment bed or mattress.

Open flames and treatments using mains-powered devices are not allowed at the venue.

Please have your nails and hands cared for by the day of the competition.

Six:

• Oil — aroma treatment, lymphatic drainage, Swedish, Hawaiian lomi lomi, Balinese, Esalen and so on
• Traditional Thai — Chiang Mai style, Bangkok style, Wat Thai, Warrior Thai, Ruesi Dat Ton and so on
• Body Care (Stretch) — seitai, body care, shiatsu, deep tissue, stretching, sports massage and so on
• Facial — aesthetic facial, face lift, gua sha, facial spa, head massage, décolleté and so on
• Freestyle Western — techniques of Western origin: Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, myofascial release, trigger point, stretching and so on
• Freestyle Eastern — techniques of Eastern and Asian origin: shiatsu, tui na, foot reflexology, Thai, hilot, Ayurveda, Balinese, cupping, kolgi and so on

Each division is contested separately and ranked separately.

Please use the following criteria when entering.

1. Judge by the main technique

Whether the technique that accounts for more than 50% of the treatment, or that takes up the most time, originates in the West or the East. If several techniques are used in similar proportions, judge by the theoretical basis (whether meridians and acupoints are used).

1. Flexibility in combinations

A single technique or a free combination of several techniques is equally acceptable, and you may partially incorporate techniques from the other tradition. Examples: Swedish only -> Freestyle Western / mainly Swedish with some shiatsu -> Freestyle Western / shiatsu only -> Freestyle Eastern / mainly traditional Thai with some oil treatment -> Freestyle Eastern

1. Final decision points when in doubt

If you actively use the concepts of meridians, qi and acupoints and emphasise the body's energy balance and adjustment from within -> Freestyle Eastern. If you centre on Western anatomy and myofascial release and emphasise muscle relaxation, blood flow and structural approaches -> Freestyle Western. Decide based on which philosophy or theory your work is grounded in.

The Oil division is built around treatment that uses oil — aroma treatment, lymphatic drainage, lomi lomi and the like. Freestyle Western is built around techniques of Western origin, and includes work that uses no oil at all, such as myofascial release or trigger point.

Choose based on what is central to your treatment: the use of oil, or the Western anatomical approach. If you are unsure, please ask the secretariat before entering.

Body Care (Stretch) centres on releasing the body through clothing, and on stretching — seitai, shiatsu, deep tissue, stretching, sports massage and so on. Freestyle Western is divided by the origin of the technique, so it does not include work of Eastern origin such as shiatsu.

If your technique fits both, decide by which lineage you spend the most time on across the whole treatment.

Pick the division closest to the treatment you actually give clients most often. What your hands already know holds up over thirty minutes far better than something assembled for the competition.

If you are still unsure, describe your usual treatment to the secretariat and we will help.

As long as the two are different divisions, there is no restriction on the combination. You may enter up to two divisions.

Entering the same division twice as the same person results in disqualification, and the entry fee is not refunded. Note also that a fee applies per entry.

Yes. Along with the treatment beds, the competition floor is set with mats. The beds have a headrest and are height-adjustable.

Please bring whatever you use to cover the bed or mattress, such as sheets.

33,000 yen (tax included) per entry. You can enter up to two divisions; each entry is charged separately.

Yes. The fee applies per entry, so entering two divisions means paying for two.

Payment is made on Stripe's payment screen shown during the entry process (credit card, and wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay; the options you see depend on your country and device). Your entry is confirmed once payment is complete. No card details are stored on this site.

Entry fees are not refunded, except where the cancellation is due to a failure to perform on the organiser's part.

In addition, if the championship cannot be held because of an earthquake, tsunami, typhoon or other natural disaster, or an unforeseen public-health situation such as an epidemic, the organiser cannot accept liability for any resulting loss.

Where a refund applies, it is decided and processed by the seller, Prorium Inc.

Yes. Travel to the venue and accommodation are at your own expense and are not included in the entry fee.

Up to 15 competitors work on the same competition floor at the same time, each giving a 30-minute treatment. Judges score them against eight criteria, and rankings are decided division by division.

The championship runs over two days. Day one (26 May 2027) is the workshop day; day two (27 May) is the world championship itself, with the heats, the final and the awards ceremony.

Each round is 30 minutes, with a 10-minute interval before and after.

Yes. Before the treatment begins there is time to check the condition of the person receiving it and what they would like. You can build your plan around how they are on the day.

No. The music played during the competition is chosen by the organiser, and earphones may not be used.

The competition floor is set with up to 15 treatment beds. They have a headrest and are height-adjustable. Mats are also provided.

Please bring your own covering for the bed or mattress.

You may bring one companion — as an interpreter, to help you set up and pack down, or to film.

That companion may not, however, act as your model.

The confirmed timetable and speaker list will be published on this site as they are settled. Competitors are given their call time and the running order individually, in advance.

Please do not compete while unwell — it affects the safety of the person receiving your treatment. Tell a member of the on-site staff or the secretariat rather than pushing through.

No. Competitors take turns acting as models for each other, so you do not need to bring one (and companions may not be brought as models). If you have unavoidable circumstances, please contact the secretariat.

Yes.

• The person receiving treatment must wear underwear (or paper briefs) at all times; women must keep the chest covered.
• Any area not being worked on should be covered with a towel.

Sensual or sexual treatment is prohibited.

There is time before the treatment to check the person's condition and what they would like, so you can plan around how they are that day.

Note too that "Hospitality for the client" is one of the judging criteria — communication and towel work are part of the score.

Models must be the competitors themselves; you may not bring a companion to act as your model.

If you have unavoidable circumstances, please talk to the secretariat before entering.

Bring your own oil, sheets and towels for your treatment rounds, along with whatever you use to cover the treatment bed or mattress.

Beyond that you are free to use your own equipment, with the exception of anything that requires mains power or an open flame.

Beds and mats are provided at the venue, so there is no need to bring them.

Please wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement and is appropriate for treatment. Excessively revealing uniforms should be avoided. If the organizer judges an outfit inappropriate for the competition, you may be asked to change.

Please bring shoes with clean soles. Working barefoot is also allowed.

Please take care of your nails and hands beforehand. Cleanliness of presentation forms part of the "Hospitality for the client" criterion.

Yes — you are free to use your own supplies, and oil is something you bring yourself.

Do bear in mind that up to 15 people are working on the same floor at once. If you use a strongly scented product, please mention it to the secretariat before entering.

Treatment using devices that require electricity, and the use of open flames, are prohibited at the venue. For specific equipment, please contact the secretariat before entering.

No. Up to 15 treatment beds are set up on the competition floor, with headrests and adjustable height. Mats are provided as well.

Eight criteria, each scored out of ten.

1. Massage technique (skill) — technique, structure and combination, refinement and effectiveness, range
2. Treatment area — how closely you follow the body; whether you work edge to edge
3. Posture during treatment — a sustainable, well-formed posture, use of the whole body, delivering your weight appropriately
4. Treatment flow — structure, rhythm, the joins between techniques, finishing within the time
5. Anatomical approach — correct angle and location; appropriate work on muscle, fat, blood, lymph and skin
6. Innovative ideas — originality, refinement and effectiveness
7. Hospitality for the client — cleanliness of dress and presentation, safety of technique, communication, towel work
8. Impression evaluation — each judge's personal impression

The aim is to assess massage skill as a whole, from several angles at once.

Each criterion is scored out of ten. The highest and the lowest judge's scores are then discarded, and the rest are totalled and averaged.

This keeps any single judge from deciding the outcome when the panel is small.

The impression evaluation is compared first. If the scores are still level, we compare massage technique (skill), then innovative ideas, then posture during treatment, then treatment flow, in that order.

They are drawn from therapists working at the top of each division, and from industry bodies and training schools. They score against the eight criteria.

The MCWT2027 panel will be introduced on the Judges page as it is confirmed.

Yes. Scores are disclosed for MCWT2027 as well. Please contact the organising office if you would like yours — we provide each competitor's own score on request.

Finishing within the time is part of the "Treatment flow" criterion, so build a treatment that completes within the 30 minutes.

Yes. Spectator tickets are free. The opening of spectator applications for MCWT2027 will be announced on this site and on our official social media.

Spectator tickets for MCWT2027 are free. We will announce the opening of applications on this site and on our official social media.

Yes. There is no restriction by occupation or qualification for spectators. The previous championship (AMC2026) drew 3,700 visitors.

Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Second Gymnasium (2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo). The championship takes place over two days, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 May 2027: day one is the workshop day and day two is the world championship itself.

Photography and filming are permitted, with two requests:

• Please take care not to affect other competitors' treatments or the judges
• Please refrain from filming outside the competition itself, and while people are changing

The organiser films the championship and may stream it live, sometimes without prior notice. Streaming plans for MCWT2027 will be announced on this site and our official social media once decided.

A day of seminars and hands-on sessions led by professional instructors from Japan and abroad — the previous championship ran more than 40 of them. It pairs with day two, the world championship itself.

The programme and how to book for MCWT2027 will be announced once confirmed. For the previous championship we offered a ticket that combined the workshops with competition viewing.

We list courses by our judges and organisers on the Seminars & Schools page, and are adding more. If you would like yours included, please contact the secretariat.

Yes. Roles include interpreting, setup, reception, running the programme, floor management, tallying scores and modelling. No industry experience is required — students and people from other fields are welcome.

See the Volunteer Staff page for details and the application form.

• A staff T-shirt, which you wear on the days you work
• A one-hour online briefing on Zoom beforehand; if you cannot attend, a recording is made available
• Meals during your shift

An evening for judges, international guests, competitors and spectators to get to know one another, held alongside the championship. The last one took place on 3 June 2026 at CÉ LA VI TOKYO in Shibuya.

For MCWT2027 it is planned for the evening of the final day, 27 May 2027, from around 20:00 JST (UTC+9).

Yes — competitors, judges, international guests, spectators and volunteer staff are all welcome. The dress code is casual; everyday clothes are fine.

We are still making the arrangements. The fee and how to apply will be announced on the after party page and our official social media once decided.

It is a separate application from entering the championship, so please check both.

Yes. If you live outside Japan, you can enter on this site using the same steps as entrants in Japan. Each division has places reserved for entrants living outside Japan. Entries are open from 19:00 JST (10:00 UTC) on Tuesday 27 October 2026 to 23:59 JST (14:59 UTC) on Monday 15 March 2027.

Yes. Judging looks at the treatment itself against eight criteria; language is not part of the score.

You may bring one interpreter as your companion (that companion may not act as your model), and our staff includes interpreters.

Please contact the secretariat if you need supporting documents. These take time to prepare, so the earlier you get in touch the better.

Provided at the venue: treatment beds (up to 15, with headrests and adjustable height), mats, and the music played during the competition.

Bring yourself: oil, sheets, towels, a covering for the bed or mattress, your own treatment supplies, and shoes with clean soles.

Treatment using mains-powered devices, and the use of open flames, are prohibited.

Please arrange your own treatment insurance. The organiser cannot accept liability for injuries occurring during the championship.

Please keep your valuables and belongings with you. We cannot accept liability for theft or loss.

If the championship cannot be held because of an earthquake, tsunami, typhoon or other natural disaster, or an unforeseen public-health situation such as an epidemic, the organiser does not accept liability for any resulting loss.

Entry fees are likewise not refunded, except where cancellation is due to a failure to perform on the organiser's part.

Where a refund applies, it is decided and processed by the seller, Prorium Inc.

The whole programme is recorded, including the seminars, the heats, the final and the awards ceremony, and the footage may be published through television, social media and other channels.

By competing you agree to its use by media and social accounts approved by the organiser, that copyright in works relating to the championship rests with the organising body, and that you will not object to this filming and use.

Please see our Privacy Policy for how we handle the personal information you give us when entering or contacting us.

Please email the secretariat.

info@japan-massage-championship.com

• We do not take enquiries by telephone
• Hours: weekdays, 10:00–17:00 JST (UTC+9)
• Enquiries outside those hours, or at weekends and on public holidays, are answered from the next working day
• We reply in the order received; thank you for your patience