Konnichiwa and welcome to Japan and the Rugby World Cup 2019.
Twenty nations will head to the Land of the Rising Sun to compete for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup in the first tournament held in Asia, starting on September 20.
Let’s face it, the vast majority of fans heading to the tournament will not have heard of many of the host cities.
Tokyo and Yokohama? Yes, of course. Sapporo and Kobe? Possibly. Shizuoka and Oita? One hundred yen says no! But then has the average Japanese rugby fan heard of Basingstoke?
Still, it will make for a wonderful travel opportunity for the England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland fans making the journey to support their teams. Quite simply, there is no place on the planet quite like Japan.
It’s a mesmerising destination where an incredible collision of ancient traditions and culture meets the most modern technology and way of life.
This captivating, unforgettable country will win your heart and soul. And good news, it’s not as expensive as many think - and it’s friendly and safe.
Here, we have teamed up with official travel agent England Rugby Travel and the Japan National Tourism Organization to bring you a comprehensive guide to the 12 host cities...
1. Tokyo, Honshu
The throbbing heart of Japan, it’s all here in the capital – from palaces and endless electronics shops to karaoke bars and cat cafes. And police officers who bow as you pass them.
You can’t miss the Tokyo Skytree. At 2,080ft, it’s the tallest structure in Japan and the views from the observatory are fabulous, with fabled Mount Fuji visible on a clear day (tokyo-skytree.jp, from £7.80).
And you shouldn’t miss the Imperial Palace with its gardens, moats and stone walls (kunaicho.go.jp, free for East Gardens, no public entry to buildings).
The Ginza district is famed for swanky shopping, while Akihabara is a must for the incredible array of electronics, anime and manga stores.
For the best sushi, head to Tsukiji Outer Market and – stick with us here – for classic Japanese bonkersness head to the Shibuya intersection.
Yes,it’s a pedestrian crossing, but it’s like no other on the planet with up to 3,000 people scrambling across at any one time. Instagram and people-watching heaven, as is much of Tokyo.
Population: 9.3 million
Tokyo Stadium capacity: 49,970
Key games: Australia v Wales (Sep 29), England v Argentina (Oct 5), two quarter finals (Oct 19/20).
2. Yokohama, Honshu
Population: 3.7 million
International Stadium Yokohama capacity: 72,327
Key games: Ireland v Scotland (Sep 22), England v France (Oct 12), Japan v Scotland (Oct 13), semi finals (Oct 26/27), final (Nov 2).
Half an hour by train from central Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city and has one of the world’s biggest Chinatowns, featuring numerous restaurants and stores, colourful gates and a temple.
Sankeien Garden is a spacious park with historic architecture, tea houses, streams and walking trails. An oasis of calm in a lively city which stages the final (sankeien.or.jp, £5.50).
3. Fukuoka, Kyushu
Population: 1.5 million
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium capacity: 21,562
Key game: Ireland v Samoa (Oct 12).
A key port on the southerly island for centuries due to its proximity to the Asian mainland, the impressive ruins of Fukuoka Castle are in Maizuru Park.
With lookout points and trails it’s well worth a visit, as are Tocho-ji temple and Kushida shrine.
Probably the best known site, though, is Canal City Hakata.
This is a spectacular and colourful shopping, dining and entertainment complex with fountain shows on the waterway.
4. Sapporo, Hokkaido
Population: 1.95 million
Sapporo Dome capacity: 41,410
Key game: England v Tonga (Sep 22).
The cool capital of the northern island, it staged the Winter Olympics in 1972. Handily for rugby fans, it’s also the birthplace of beer in Japan.
Sapporo Beer Museum opened in 1987 and visits are free, though tastings are chargeable. (sapporobeer.jp).
Sapporo Beer Garden is next to the museum and features a number of restaurants and atmospheric beer halls; a favourite dish is the signature Genghis Khan lamb and mutton barbecue grilled on a metal skillet at your table.
It’s safe to say this is going to be a big hit with fans (sapporo-bier-garten.jp).
5. Kobe, Honshu
Population: 1.5 million
Kobe Misaki Stadium capacity: 30,132
Key games: England v USA (Sep 26), Scotland v Samoa (Sep 30), Ireland v Russia (Oct 3).
An attractive and cosmopolitan city with much to offer. There are many restaurants and cafes and, for meat lovers, there’s the prized (and suitably expensive) Kobe beef, a marbled cut from Tajima cattle. The city is also one of Japan’s fashion capitals and has many onsens.
For a panoramic view take the bus or funicular or walk up 3,056ft Mount Rokko which also has a botanical garden and golf course, the first in Japan (rokkosan.com).
Want to try sake (Japanese rice wine)? Kobe is a leading producer.
Castles your thing? Magnificent Himeji is an hour by train.
6. Kamaishi, Honshu
Population: 34,300
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium capacity: 16,334
Key games: None.
Although a former steel town, it has an abundance of nature. For history visit the Unesco World Heritage listed Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site (visitiwate.com, free).
Traditional arts include the renowned tiger dances but rugby is the big draw. Kimaishi was badly hit in the 2011 tsunami and the stadium name reflects its continuing recovery.
7. Kumagaya, Honshu
Population: 198,400
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium capacity: 25,600
Key games: None.
Officially the hottest place in Japan, in 2007 it hit 40.9C and the city slogan is “Atsui zo!” (It’s hot!).
The main sight is Shodenzan Temple, which dates from 1179 and is considered a national treasure for its wood carvings (ksky.ne.jp, £5.40).
8. Shizuoka, Honshu
Population: 698,000
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa capacity: 50,889
Key games: Japan v Ireland (Sep 28), Scotland v Russia (Oct 9).
The perfect base for visiting and viewing mystical Mount Fuji, at 12,389ft the country’s highest volcano.
There are many points to view it from the foothills and climbing it is not to be taken lightly; altitude sickness, dehydration and hypothermia are risks and there
are fatalities each year.
Proper clothing, footwear and ample water is essential.
City sights include Sumpu Castle and its park (sumpu-castlepark.com, £2.80), there are also fine beaches and the local green tea is revered.
9. Toyota, Honshu
Population: 420,000
City of Toyota Stadium capacity: 45,000
Key games: Wales v Georgia (Sep 23).
Unsurprisingly, the home of car giant Toyota. But it was originally called Koromo and changed its name in 1959 to reflect the global status of the firm.
Petrolheads will like Toyota Kaikan Museum (toyota.co.jp, free) and group factory tours are available. Away from four-wheels, Matsudaira-go temple is a historic beauty spot (aichi-now.jp, free).
10. Higashiosaka, Honshu
Population: 500,500
Hanazono Rugby Stadium capacity: 24,000
Key games: None.
Effectively a rugby-crazy suburb of Japan’s impressive second city Osaka, you can easily base yourself there, 30 minutes by train.
Osaka Castle dates from 1500 and is a spectacular symbol of the samurai past with views, moats, greenery and a museum (osakacastle.net, £4.70).
Dotonbori is a dazzling neon-lit area of theatres, restaurants, bars, arcades, nightclubs and a weird oblong Ferris wheel on the side of a tower.
Osaka is generally renowned for having some of the best street food in the world and is the birthplace of instant noodles and conveyor belt sushi. It’s also the home of Takoyaki, which are ball-shaped snacks made of battered octopus. A Marmite job.
It’s also easy to get to Kyoto by train (less than 20 minutes). It’s the nation’s cultural capital with temples, shrines, palaces and gardens. Highly recommended.
11. Kumamoto, Kyushu
Population: 741,000
Kumamoto Stadium capacity: 30,228
Key game: Wales v Uruguay (Oct 13).
Known for its beef and seafood, its chief attraction is 17th century Kumamoto Castle (kumamoto-guide.jp). However, it was damaged by an earthquake in 2016 and many areas are closed. View it from Ninomaru Square and Kato Shrine.
Suizen-ji Joju-en garden dates from 1636 and has a mini-replica of Mount Fuji, a temple and teahouse.
Down the coast, Saiki is a fishing port with great sushi and eagles on the River Banjo.
12. Oita, Kyushu
Population: 478,500
Oita Stadium capacity: 40,000
Key games: Wales v Fiji (Oct 9), quarter finals (Oct 19/20).
Prepare to bare at the city’s famous onsens, nudity is normal at these hot springs. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden has around 1,300 wild Japanese Macaque monkeys and the highlight is when they are fed potatoes twice a day (takasakiyama.jp, £4).
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