About Us

Kyoto Global Shuttlers (KGS) is a badminton club founded in May 2025. We started it with one simple idea:

to create a welcoming, international community where people from all backgrounds can connect through badminton.

Background

My name is Katsuya, and I’m the founder of this club. I’ve been playing badminton for 27 years, including 5 years of more serious training during my teenage years. Since 2013, I’ve lived a nomadic lifestyle and spent over 10 years abroad, and played badminton in various countries such as Indonesia, the Cook Islands, Malaysia, Thailand, and France.

One of the most memorable experiences was in the Cook Islands, where I played in a small village hall surrounded by palm trees. It was simple, but unforgettable, proof that the joy of playing together goes beyond language, location, or skill level.

Another lasting memory comes from Paris, France, where I played for 3 years in a friendly yet competitive international club. During that time, I returned to competition after a 6 year break and won the departmental Men’s Doubles title in the 35+ category for two consecutive years. But it was not just about competition, it was more about connection, community, and sharing meaningful moments with fellow badminton lovers abroad.

When I returned to Kyoto in 2024, I noticed that despite the city’s global character, there weren’t many places where locals and internationals could come together regularly to enjoy sport in an easygoing and welcoming environment. Most social clubs were either focused only on Japanese members, or were occasional meetups that didn’t happen regularly enough to build real connection.

So I decided to start one myself with my favorite sport, badminton!

Our Vision

Kyoto Global Shuttlers (KGS) is a community where international badminton players come together in Kyoto to enjoy the sport, share everyday life, and build lasting friendships in Japan.

Our goal is to create a relaxed, friendly space where cultural and language barriers fade with every rally and conversation.

How We Play

We currently organize one to two sessions per week in central Kyoto, with plans to grow to three sessions a week. To make sure everyone feels comfortable and challenged, we also plan to offer different types of sessions in the future: beginner-friendly practices focused on learning and fun, advanced sessions with a more training-oriented approach, and open days where players of all levels can mix and enjoy the game together.

Beyond the Court

We occasionally organize off-court events where members can enjoy active moments in and around Kyoto—because connection often begins after the last point is played. Whether it’s grabbing a meal after practice, cheering at international badminton matches, or walking through Kyoto’s autumn paths together, we cherish the moments that bring us closer.

I also organize Kyoto Global Hangout, an international meetup community in Kyoto that brings together people from diverse backgrounds through casual and friendly gatherings. Through both communities, I aim to create spaces where local and global connections can grow naturally.

Come Join Us

We have just started in 2025. No long history, no big trophies—yet. But we’re building something meaningful, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.

Join us, and let’s grow this community, rally by rally.