Tokyo, Sept. 3 (Jiji Press)–A large cruise ship will be used as an accommodation base for athletes participating in the Asian Games, scheduled to open in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture’s capital in central Japan, on Sept. 19. It is the first attempt to use a ship as a “hotel” in a large-scale international competition held in Japan. Initially, the construction of an athletes village was planned, but the idea was abandoned due to soaring costs amid inflation. The organizers decided to use a cruise ship, mobile accommodation facilities and existing hotels to encourage interaction among athletes. The cruise ship is the Italian-registered Costa Serena. The 290-meter-long vessel has about 1,500 rooms, gym equipment, spacious open-air decks and restaurants. A total of about 4,000 people, including athletes, are expected to stay on the ship to be anchored at the Port of Nagoya. “We have excellent facilities, and athletes can receive services similar to those at hotels,” said Masashi Hayakawa, who is in charge of accommodations at the organizing committee of the Games. “We’ll provide a set of multiple types of cabins to each national delegation so that there will be no difference in treatment,” he added, explaining that there are six types of cabin. The committee is making preparations for the unusual undertaking by trial and error. As the ship is an oceangoing vessel, immigration control, customs and quarantine inspections are required for the entry and exit of people and goods. “When it comes to making decisions, there are no precedents, so we have to think about things one at a time,” Hayakawa said. Preparations for possible natural disasters are also necessary. When a typhoon is expected to approach, authorities will be on alert and urge the ship to move offshore, where high waves are less to occur, according to the 4th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Nagoya. “We’ll maintain marine safety so that athletes and spectators can enjoy the event safely,” Kazuma Hayashi, commander of the headquarters, said. Preparations are in the final stage to use the ship as a hotel, including setting up general stores and securing traffic routes to the quay where athletes will board and disembark. “We feel pressure to make this a success,” Hayakawa said. “I hope this initiative will be a model case for future large games.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
All aboard. The Asian Games will lodge thousands of athletes on an Italian cruise ship
The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena will house up to 5,000 officials and athletes for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan
All aboard: Some Singapore athletes housed on cruise ship during Asian Games
With no dedicated athletes' village, the Asian Games' organisers are relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers and hotels to house participants.
Asiad 2026: Cramped Costa Serena rooms, allocation mess trouble athletes
Rooms meant for two are being shared by three, complained some Indian athletes lodged at the much-criticised Costa Serena cruise ship for the Asian Games as even the host nation's competitors looked for alternate accommodation amid the organisational chaos that has rocked the build-up to the mega-event here.
Asian Games organizers pledge to address accommodation complaints as cruise ship arrives
Asian Games organizers said they were committed to addressing complaints from athletes and officials about accommodation as the cruise ship that will house around 4,000 of them during the multi-sport event docked in Nagoya on Tuesday.
Asian Games cruise ship arrives in Nagoya as accommodation complaints grow
Organisers are hoping there will be fewer complaints about the cruise ship, despite the Games taking place during Japan's typhoon season.
From Cruise Ship Cabins To Kit Chaos: Everything That Has Gone Wrong At The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games So Far | Outlook India
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opened amidst widespread logistical failures, highlighted by a controversial decision to forgo a traditional Athletes' Village in favor of cruise ships and temporary cabins
Officials defend using temporary containers, cruise ship as lodging at Asian Games - The Korea Times
NAGOYA, Japan — The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is attempting to quell complaints about lodging for athletes and officials at the Asian Games, wh...
'Find your own room': Japan says can't handle added Asian Games numbers
There is no dedicated athletes' village, with organisers instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers and hotels.
Team Japan forced to look at alternate accommodation options at home Asian Games
Abandoning plans to set up an Athletes' Village, 2026 Asian Games host Nagoya sets up alternative accommodation options, including a chartered cruise ship and shipping-container style huts
Asian Games organizers defend cramped accommodation | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch
NAGOYA―Local organizers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games again defended the athletes’ accommodation on Thursday after local residents added their voices to concerns about the shipping-container style huts.
Asian Games: Common area, fitness facilities readied for athletes
Athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will have access to an outdoor common area for events and socializing, as well as several fitness facilities at their lodging base, which was opened to the media on Wednesday.
'Failing, chaotic': Teams slam Asian Games organisers - Sports - The Jakarta Post
The biggest issue at the Aichi-Nagoya Games has been a shortage of rooms for the 17,000 participants, while some athletes have complained of cramped accommodation.
Asian Games chief defends 'functional' rooms after backlash
NAGOYA: Accommodation for Asian Games athletes in Japan is "functional" and efforts are being made to deal with numerous complaints from disgruntled teams, a chief organiser told AFP.More than 17,000 competitors and officials are expected at the continent's biggest sporting spectacular, which opens on Saturda
Asian Games: Common area, fitness facilities readied for athletes
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will have access to an outdoor common area for events and socializing, as well as several f
Asian Games stumble before opening with leaks, lost buses - The Korea Times
NAGOYA, Japan — A representative of a sports federation who moved into the cruise ship athletes’ village at Kinjo Pier near Nagoya Port on Wednesda...
Accommodation, transportation problems mar 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games - The Korea Times
NAGOYA, Japan — With more than 15,000 athletes and officials bringing a 16-day run to an end on Sunday, the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games came unde...
