A Guide for RWC 2019 – Sapporo

As a lot of us rugby fans know, the countdown for the Rugby World Cup is ON – and wow are we excited.  In Japan there’s posters galore (specifically ones of Michael Leach), TV adverts and just a whole bunch of rugby prediction-gossip.

In the last few years Japan has really stepped up their presence within the rugby scene, and what better way to acknowledge that than by having the cup held here!

I remember being at home in New Zealand and hearing the announcement that the 2019 series was going to be held in Japan and I thought ‘Oush, that’ll be insane to be at’ (translation: Wow, I imagine that it will be a marvelous event to attend).  Little did I know, I’d actually be living over here and be able to get to a game myself… Eeek!

As I write this, the first kick-off is in less than 2 weeks.  And whilst rugby teams from all over the world are arriving to the land of the rising sun and getting prepared for the RWC, millions of fans are doing exactly the same – getting prepared.  Whether it be booking flights, buying your team jersey, calculating the time difference to make sure that you’ll be able to watch your matches, or just mentally preparing for the buzz ahead, we’re all getting ready.

From my experience at the 2011 RWC held in New Zealand, it was HECTIC.  And by hectic, I mean super crazy, super intense, but all super amazing.  I didn’t need to prepare much really.  But in all honesty if I wasn’t from New Zealand, I’m not sure I would’ve got around the city as easy as I did.  For example I probably wouldn’t have known about special events (like the fanzone public screening locations).  But at least back home it was all in English.. Japanese is a whooole ‘nother game.

I know that Japan will be well prepared with English signage and info everywhere, but just incase,  here’s a bunch of handy info you’re going to need for the RWC – specifically the Sapporo games up here in Hokkaido.

An incredible stadium that can be transformed to suit many sports because of its ‘hovering’ stage. All of the natural fields and turf can be kept outside of the actual dome. Then when they want to use a specific one, they actually transform the stadium itself and bring the appropriate grounds in. Usually prepared for baseball and soccer, it will be the hub for these 2 games during the first weekend of the cup.

It’s a little bit hard to imagine through my words, so I suggest you check out this video to see what I mean.

A few things to note:

• Coin-operated lockers are available inside the stadium
• ATM can be found by the North gate (accepts UnionPay, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, VISA and PLUS)
• Free Wi-Fi available

Now, I’m assuming you’re coming to Sapporo to watch at least one of the games. But if you’re not attending all of the games in person (maybe you’re staying a few weeks up here), I’m sure you’d like to know where you’d be able to watch the rest of them from, right?

Well, I’ve got ya sorted.

Locations

• Odori Park: Odori Nishi 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Sapporo Station South Plaza: Nishi 4, Kita 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

2. The Pub

Coming from NZ, ‘going to the pub’ isn’t normally one of my first ports of call, but knowing that we’ve got a whole lot of English fans in for this one, it has to be up here, right?  My fav places to go to watch rugby are either of the Brian Brew locations.  This the also the rugby hub for the local rugby team – Hokkaido Barbarians – who would love to talk rugby with you.

Locations

• Brian Brew (Susukino): 3 Chome, Minami 3 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
• Brian Brew (Silk Road): 14 Chome, Kita 11 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

(A little extra note; the Silk Road location serves the BEST karage… a huge plate for about 6AUD, but you’ve got to get in quick!)

3. TV & Online

If you don’t have access to your own country’s broadcast of the event, ask if your hotel/accommodation has access or knows of a place close by that does. Japanese are ridiculously kind and will probably even draw you a map on how to get there if you needed.

In Japan, you’ll be looking for a place that has an IGBS subscription (Nippon TV, NHK and J SPORTS)

Eeeeek, finally Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 is almost here.  Not only am I excited to watch, but I’m excited to see how the Japanese people here in Sapporo will react having so many foreigners in town!  We often have a lot of neighbouring country tourists come through, but this will be next level…  I can’t wait!!

Where are you going to watch the matches? Let us know below!