The Ajinomoto Stadium in the Tokyo city of Chofu is the capital’s match venue for the Rugby World Cup 2019. The nearby Fanzone, located next to Chofu Station, provides indoor and outdoor live screening of most of the matches. Entry is free for everyone.
Come practise your rugby moves under the guidance of top league players and enjoy the stage performances featuring comedic group Chiemi Blouson with B (September 20) and singer Sakurako Ohara (November 2), among other talents and artists. On September 22, former national rugby player Takashi Kikutani will be hosting a commentary session on the game.
Food-wise you can expect lots of food trucks serving delicacies from the participating international teams, such as roast beef rice bowl with Aussie beef.
There’s a corner for traditional Japanese activities, too, where you peruse the Edo-style photo spot and partake in a variety of workshops including shamisen and kendama experiences. Since Chofu is known as the ‘film city’, where many production companies set up their base, the Fanzone is also offering you a chance to dress up in a traditional samurai armor which was once used in a period film set (October 26 and 27).
If you need to take a breather, go sit down at the foot bath corner and dip your tired feed in the hot water that’s brought to the venue daily from the hot springs in Tokyo’s Nishitama area (September 20-22, 26, 29).