The NYK Group has a rich history of club activities, with approximately 450 group employees (as of 2025) engaging in team-based pursuits that refresh both body and mind while deepening long-lasting friendships. This vibrant community, known as “Nibiki-Kai,” has been a cherished tradition since the company’s founding in the Meiji era.

Nibiki-Kai’s origins can be traced back to 1896 (Meiji 29), when the Nibiki Club was established for land-based employees. The name “Nibiki” literally means “two pulls” in Japanese, and its emblem — featuring the two red lines on a white background — is widely recognized as a symbol of the NYK Group.

The roots of the NYK Group’s summer tradition, the NYK Regatta,* lie in the “First Nibiki Club Rowing Regatta” held on the Sumida River in Tokyo in 1917. This historical fact remains little known, even among NYK Group employees.

* For more about the NYK Regatta tradition, please visit:
https://museum.nyk.com/kouseki/200708/index.html
(The article is in Japanese, so using your browser’s translation feature is recommended for better understanding.)

After a pause during World War II, the Nibiki-Kai was reestablished, drawing inspiration from its pre-war activities to support employee welfare, facilitate mutual assistance, and enrich the daily life of NYK Group employees. Today, the organization boasts five cultural clubs and 14 sports teams.

The Nibiki-Kai brings together employees across different departments, generations, and affiliated companies. Through interactions among employees who might not typically cross paths within their daily work, the organization fosters lively communication, builds a strong sense of unity, and nurtures enduring bonds.

Now, let’s introduce the various team/club activities of the Nibiki-Kai. Members often reveal a side of themselves teeming with enthusiasm and vibrancy.

◆ OFBL (Over-Forty Baseball League) Team
For those aged 45 and over — includes members from top high school teams
As the name suggests, this is a recreational baseball team made up of members aged 45 and older. From beginners to alumni of prestigious high school teams, baseball enthusiasts gather to enjoy the sport. The team practices every Saturday afternoon from March to October, mainly at the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground in Tokyo. They also participate in the “OFBL” league, which consists of 12 corporate teams, competing in two league seasons each year (spring from April, autumn from September).

◆ Music Club
60 members showcasing their harmony through concerts
Under the name “NYK Symphony Orchestra,” around 60 members from both inside and outside the NYK Group participate. In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, they perform authentic classical music ranging from the classical to the modern eras. Two regular concerts are held each year in the main hall of the head office.

◆ Kendo Team
Training body and mind, cultivating a resilient spirit
Practice sessions are held about once a month at the Shiseikan Dojo inside the Mitsubishi Yowa-kai Sugamo Sports Center (Tokyo). Members can also individually participate in weekly practices of the Mitsubishi Budo-kai. Some members have experience competing in tournaments hosted by the Kanto Corporate League and the All-Japan Corporate League.

◆ Golf Team
Seafarers and onshore staff engaging in warm, friendly exchanges
The golf team includes employees from both sea-based and land-based roles, spanning a wide range of generations. In addition to participating in the All-Mitsubishi Tournament held twice a year, members also organize friendly competitions among themselves. Whether you're casually enjoying golf or confident in your skills, everyone has fun together.

◆ Sauna & Spa Club
Reaching a deep state of relaxation and clarity
Now the largest team within Nibiki-Kai, the Sauna & Spa Club holds group sauna sessions about once a quarter after work, refreshing both body and mind. Members also go on sauna trips and exchange sauna tips across departments and generations. Some members are certified ”Sauna & Spa Health Advisors,” so even beginners can enjoy the sauna and spa safely and comfortably.

◆ Soccer Team
From beginners to semi-professionals, all are welcome
Practice is held about twice a month at the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground (Tokyo). When possible, external teams are invited for friendly matches. The main competition is from the Maritime League, which competes from autumn to winter, and members train daily with the goal of winning. Other events include a spring welcome match for new employees, a summer mini soccer tournament with NYK Group teams, and even overseas tours.

◆ Tea Ceremony Club
Some members begin their tea journey as working adults
Activities are held once a week for about an hour at the Aoyama Employee Club (Tokyo). Time spent in the quiet tearoom offers a refreshing escape from noise and distractions. Many members start as adults and enjoy tea at their own pace, while experiencing seasonal traditions such as cherry blossom viewing, first use of the brazier, hearth opening, and the first tea ceremony of the year.

◆ Swim Team
Summer-focused activities, including inter-company competitions
Practice is held every weekend from late June to August at the outdoor pool of the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground (Tokyo). Members range from those who just started for health reasons to those aiming for national competitions, with varying swimming abilities. Training camps and social gatherings are held regularly, and inter-company competitions are also organized.

◆ Rowing Team
Participating in boat races, enjoying unique experiences
The rowing team competes in five-person boats and practices about once a month at the Toda Rowing Course (Saitama) or Sea Forest Waterway (Tokyo). Their main event is the All-Mitsubishi Regatta, and they also participate in local citizen regattas in the Kanto area (Greater Tokyo Area and its immediate surroundings). The extraordinary feeling of cutting through the water is a rare experience. Seasonal events such as cherry blossom viewing, fireworks, and mochi pounding are also held. You can join without bringing anything, so participation is easy.

◆ Tennis Team
Many events, beginners are welcome
Practice is held once a month on weekends at the tennis courts of the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground (Tokyo). The team has about 40 members, ranging from experienced players to beginners. In addition to regular practice, they actively participate in training camps, in-house tournaments, snowboarding, barbecues, and other non-tennis events.

◆ Haiku Club
No flawed creations — the joy is in appreciating each other’s work
This club was newly established in 2024. With creative approaches that make it enjoyable even for beginners, members freely share their impressions of each poem during haiku gatherings. While authors may explain their intentions, participants often discover new charms that even the authors hadn’t noticed. Meetings are also held online, allowing employees from group companies and even captains and crew members aboard ships to join. A diverse group of members around the world enjoys creating haiku together.

◆ Basketball Team
From training to watching, fun in many ways
Practice is held once a month at the Mitsubishi Yowa-kai Sugamo Sports Center (Tokyo). The team participates in the All-Mitsubishi League and various other tournaments on an irregular basis. Training camps are also held in the Kanto area. In addition, NBA watch parties and other events are organized, allowing members to enjoy basketball in many ways.

◆ Badminton Team
Friendly and cheerful atmosphere for enjoyable activities
In addition to practicing once or twice a month, the team competes in individual and team matches held four times a year by the All-Mitsubishi Badminton Federation. Many young and beginner members participate, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.

◆ Volleyball Team
Exciting matches, fun social gatherings and events
Practice is held about once a month on weekends at the Mitsubishi Yowa-kai Sugamo Sports Center (Tokyo), with mixed-gender participation. Many members from group companies also join, and both beginners and experienced players enjoy the activities. In addition to practice, the team hosts many fun events such as social gatherings after practice and voluntary training camps in Okinawa. The NYK Group Volleyball Tournament, where teams from group companies compete in heated matches, is also planned to make a comeback.

◆ Baseball Team
Aiming to win friendly matches against other companies!
The team actively participates in external tournaments such as the All-Mitsubishi Tournament, Chiyoda Ward Tournament, and Marunouchi Tournament. Friendly matches are also held with other shipping companies at Meiji Jingu Stadium (Tokyo). In addition to training aimed at winning a championship, the team also organizes social events like barbecues on an irregular basis.

◆ Noh Chanting Club
Immersing themselves in the mystical world of Noh
Joint performances of Noh music and dancing are held with other Mitsubishi Group companies twice a year. To prepare for these performances, members practice chanting and dancing about once or twice a month.

◆ Yacht Team
Experience the exhilaration of sailing powered only by the wind
Based at Enoshima Yacht Harbor (Kanagawa), the team holds activities about once or twice a month. Some members train with dinghies (small yachts) for the All-Mitsubishi Tournament and the All-Japan Corporate Championship, while others enjoy leisurely cruises. The ability to participate at your own pace is one of the team’s charms. Experiencing the exhilaration of sailing powered only by the wind might be a unique perk of working at a shipping company!

◆ Rugby Team
Enjoying rugby and expanding their circle of connections
Under the team name “NYK Buffaloes,” members practice on weekends at the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground (Tokyo). Events include the TYO Cup, beach rugby, League One match viewings, and tours. Members from various NYK Group companies and age groups participate, including experienced players and those who started rugby as working adults. Beyond the sport itself, one of the team’s greatest appeals is the opportunity to build connections through rugby.

◆ Lacrosse Team
From former national players to beginners — everyone enjoys together
The team includes members with experience on national teams for Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as beginners, creating a lively and diverse group across generations. Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport with frequent transitions between offense and defense, and the more you play, the more fun it becomes. Activities are held once or twice a month at the NYK Tobitakyu Sports Ground (Tokyo).

The NYK Group has a long tradition of vibrant club activities among employees. When people from different sections come together to work toward a shared goal through teamwork, the moment they feel a sense of achievement, they may discover new perspectives and a different way of seeing the world.