Japan Rugby Special
Things to do in the 12 cities hosting the world cup matches
As Japan gears up for the Rugby World Cup 2019, there's no better time to explore the country and everything it has to offer. There will be a total of 48 rugby matches playing at 12 different stadiums across Japan – including in Saitama and Yokohama – and each venue is surrounded by a host of restaurants, cafés, bars and attractions. So to keep the excitement alive before and after the matches, go explore these rugby destinations with our top picks and you’ll have the time of your life.
Restaurant/Cafe
Hungry? If you are at Minato Mirai, check out the alleyway-inspired dining floors at Dockyard Garden. Spread across B1 and B2 of the Landmark Tower, you’ll find a variety of restaurants serving international cuisines as well as classic Japanese dishes such as gyoza, udon and yakitori. At the World Beer Bar & Restaurant, you can enjoy over 250 kinds of international beer, of which 20 are on tap.
Venue name:
Mirai Yokocho
Address:
Yokohama Landmark Tower, Dockyard Garden B1-2F, 2-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi Kanagawa
Google MAPOpening hours:
Hours vary by venue
Art & Culture
Yokohama has played a major role in the history of Japanese photography so it’s fitting that this art museum holds a substantial photo collection. This art-enthusiast hotspot displays works showing an interplay of European and Japanese modern and contemporary art.
Venue name:
Yokohama Museum of Art
Opening hours:
10am- 6pm
Shopping
Located by the seaside in Minato Mirai, this open-air mall is like a small town complete with a selection of unique shops, cosy mini-parks and trendy restaurants. It's also a favourite for locals walking their dogs, while another sort of animal-related quirk awaits by the bathrooms.
Venue name:
Marine & Walk Yokohama
Opening hours:
N/A
Bars & Nightlife
As its name suggests, this sports bar is where rugby fans gather. You can combine craft beer, meals and your passion for rugby here: watch the games on its four screens while enjoying a premium selection of craft beer from around the world, including those from the current top rugby countries.
Venue name:
Rugby Diner 7 oath's
Opening hours:
11.30am-1.30pm, 5pm-11pm, closed Mon & Sun
Things to do
Heaven on earth for train geeks, this massive museum tells the history of Japan's railways from steam locomotives to the shinkansen through exhibits that include 36 actual railway cars, a spacious kids' area and a bullet train simulator, plus a shop selling 12 kinds of authentic station bento boxes.
Venue name:
The Railway Museum
Opening hours:
10am-6pm
Things to do
Thrill-seekers of all ages will find plenty to get excited about at the new Chichibu Geo Gravity Park, where you can experience the natural beauty of the Arakawa Valley by zip-lining across it or traversing the 50m-high, 100m-long suspension bridge. Entry is ¥3,000.
Venue name:
Chichibu Geo Gravity Park
Opening hours:
9am-5pm daily
Restaurant/Cafe
A self-proclaimed ‘rugby izakaya’ on the fifth floor of a building connected to the Kumagaya Station complex, this spacious spot lets you catch the action on a TV screen while munching on teppanyaki treats from steak to ‘tonpeiyaki’ (pork omelette). The restaurant is also open for lunch.
Venue name:
Teppachi Hakkai
Contact:
CALL VENUEOpening hours:
Mon-Fri 11am-3pm & 4pm-11.30pm, Sat 4pm-11.30pm, Sun 11am-11pm
Things to do
A symbol of the city's illustrious history, Osaka Castle was first built in 1583 by conquering warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whose exploits are detailed at the museum inside the keep. The observatory at the top offers excellent views and can be reached by elevator.
Venue name:
Osaka Castle
Opening hours:
9am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm), closed Mon
Things to do
A veritable cross-section of Osaka culture, this charming alleyway features age-old bars and Japanese restaurants, okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) eateries and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) joints side by side. The subject of several novels and old-time hit songs, it offers a taste of the city's fascinating history.
Venue name:
Hozenji Yokocho
Contact:
N/A
Opening hours:
N/A
Bars & Nightlife
Gaze out over the river, the retro Naniwa Bridge and the traffic below while nursing a cold one at this eighth-floor brewpub, where at least some of the taps always hold beer brewed on the premises. Open from 11.30am, One's also does great pub grub, making it the ideal spot for a wet lunch.
Venue name:
One's Brewery Pub Kitahama
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 11.30am-11pm (last orders 10.30pm), Sat, Sun & hols 11.30am-10pm (9.30pm)
Shopping
A super-trendy shop run by the Kansai region’s leading design studio, Graf is great for styling up your home with Japan-made furniture, tableware, accessories and ceramics. Its in-store café offers simple lunch sets and tasty pastries made with ingredients sourced directly from trusted farmers.
Venue name:
Graf
Opening hours:
11am-7pm, closed Mon (Tue if Mon is a holiday)
Things to do
skyUnless you're afraid of heights, the Umeda Sky Building's round observatory offers one of the most spectacular experiences in Osaka. Seemingly floating in the air 173 metres above ground, it boasts 360-degree views of the city, which looks especially stunning around sunset.
Venue name:
Kuchu Teien Observatory
Opening hours:
9.30am-10.30pm (last entry 10pm). ¥1,500, children aged 4-12 ¥700, under 4 free
Things to dos
Saitama's latest family-friendly attraction opened on March 16, 2019 and is a must-visit for fans of the adorable Moomintrolls. Highlights include an interactive theatre, a 400m zip line stretching across the surface of Lake Miyazawa, and the obligatory studio for snapping photos with the Moomins themselves.
Venue name:
Moomin Valley Park
Opening hours:
10am-8pm daily
Sapporo Dome
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21September |
13:45 |
D |
Australia v Fiji |
|
22September |
19:15 |
C |
England v Tonga |
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial
Stadium 
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
25September |
14:15 |
D |
Fiji V Uruguay |
|
13October |
12:15 |
B |
Namibia v Canada |
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
24September |
19:15 |
A |
Russia v Samoa |
|
29September |
14:15 |
D |
Georgia v Uruguay |
|
9October |
13:45 |
C |
Argentina v USA |
Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto
Stadium)
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20September |
18:30 |
Opening Ceremony |
|
|
20September |
19:45 |
A |
Japan v Russia |
|
21September |
16:15 |
C |
France v Argentina |
|
29September |
16:45 |
D |
Australia v Wales |
|
5October |
17:00 |
C |
England v Argentina |
|
6October |
13:45 |
B |
New Zealand v Namibia |
|
19October |
19:15 |
QF: W Pool B vs. RU Pool A |
|
|
20October |
19:15 |
QF: W Pool A vs. RU Pool B |
|
|
1November |
18:00 |
Bronze final |
International Stadium Yokohama
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21September |
18:45 |
B |
New Zealand v South Africa |
|
22September |
16:45 |
A |
Ireland v Scotland |
|
12October |
17:15 |
C |
England v France |
|
13October |
19:45 |
A |
Japan v Scotland |
|
26October |
17:00 |
SF: W QF1 v W QF2 |
|
|
27October |
18:00 |
SF: W QF3 v W QF4 |
|
|
2November |
18:00 |
Final |
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28September |
16:15 |
A |
Japan v Ireland |
|
4October |
18:45 |
B |
South Africa v Italy |
|
9October |
16:15 |
A |
Scotland v Russia |
|
11October |
19:15 |
D |
Australia v Georgia |
City of Toyota Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
23September |
19:15 |
D |
Wales v Georgia |
|
28September |
18:45 |
B |
South Africa v Namibia |
|
5October |
19:30 |
A |
Japan v Samoa |
|
12October |
13:45 |
B |
New Zealand v Italy |
Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
22September |
14:15 |
B |
Italy v Namibia |
|
28September |
13:45 |
C |
Argentina v Tonga |
|
3October |
14:15 |
D |
Georgia v Fiji |
|
13October |
14:45 |
C |
USA v Tonga |
Kobe Misaki Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26September |
19:45 |
C |
England v USA |
|
30September |
19:15 |
A |
Scotland v Samo |
|
3October |
19:15 |
A |
Ireland v Russia |
|
8October |
19:15 |
B |
South Africa v Canada |
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26September |
16:45 |
B |
Italy v Canada |
|
2October |
16:45 |
C |
France v USA |
|
12October |
19:45 |
A |
Ireland v Samoa |
Kumamoto Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
6October |
16:45 |
C |
France v Tonga |
|
13October |
17:15 |
D |
Wales v Uruguay |
Oita Stadium
Schedule| Date | Time | Pool | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2October |
19:15 |
B |
New Zealand v Canada |
|
5October |
14:15 |
D |
Australia v Uruguay |
|
9October |
18:45 |
D |
Wales v Fiji |
|
19October |
16:15 |
QF: W Pool C v RU Pool D |
|
|
20October |
16:15 |
QF: W Pool D v RU Pool C |