Looking for a place to view the Rugby World Cup games live surrounded by a crowd of ardent fans? Here’s a list of 18 public viewing spaces where fans can catch all the action as it happens.
Name: Sapporo Odori Park 2-chome
Address: 2-chome, Odori-Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Closest Station: Odori
Admission: Free
Michael Leitch, captain of the Brave Blossoms, attended high school in Sapporo. This central outdoor venue allows spectators to watch games in a lush and spacious setting.
Name: JR Sapporo Station South Exit Square
Address: 4-chome, Kita-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Closest Station: Sapporo
Admission: Free
This fan zone is conveniently located outside JR Sapporo Station, giving locals easy access to the venue after a hard day’s work.
Name: Kamaishi Civic Hall
Address: 1-1-9 Oomachi Kamaishi, Iwate
Closest Station: Kamaishi
Admission: Free
Kamaishi residents call this public auditorium “tetto,” or “iron city.” It helps locals deepen their sense of community through the game-watching experience.
Name: Community Space
Address: 2-chome Honcho, Kumagaya, Saitama
Closest Station: Kumagaya, Kami-Kumagaya
Admission: Free
Another venue that hosts events for its local community, Kumagaya residents should enjoy watching games together in this outdoor community space.
Name: Tokyo Sports Square
Address: 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Closest Station: Yurakucho
Admission: Free
In addition to live broadcasts on a massive screen, a variety of rugby-related events are expected to take place. Food and drink will be available as well.
Name: Chofu Station Square
Address: 2-60 Kojimacho, Chofu, Tokyo
Closest Station: Chofu
Admission: Free
Chofu Station Square is an outdoor viewing space located right outside Chofu Station, only 15 minutes on the express from Shinjuku. The venue also features projections of the Chofu-born character Gegegeno-kitaro at night.
Name: Chofu City Green Hall
Address: 2-33-1 Kojimacho, Chofu, Tokyo
Closest Station: Chofu
Admission: Free
A community hall conveniently located three minutes’ walk from Chofu Station. The auditorium can accommodate up to approximately 1,600 people in total.
Name: Rinko Park
Address: 1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Closest Station: Minato-Mirai
Admission: Free
One of the largest parks in the Minatomirai area, the park provides a fantastic panoramic view of Yokohama Bay.
Name: Sumpu Castle Park
Address: 1-1 Sumpu Castle Park, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka
Closest Station: Shizuoka
Admission: Free
Commemorating the life of Japanese shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, the park is the perfect spot to root for the national team with a bit of patriotism.
Name: Soramo
Address: 320−2 Sunayama-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
Closest Station: Hamamatsu, Shin-Hamamatsu
Admission: Free
Soramo sits on an area of 2,730 square meters that is complete with enormous glass-roofs and located close to Hamamatsu Station.
Name: Entetsu Hall
Address: 12-2 Asahi-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
Closest Station: Hamamatsu
Admission: Free
Located a minute’s walk from Hamamatsu Station, this hall holds a maximum capacity of 500 people. It’s a cozy option for those who prefer viewing games in a smaller space.
Name: Sky Hall Toyota
Address: 1-20 Hachiman-cho, Toyota, Aichi
Closest Station: Toyota, Shin-Toyota, Toyodahommachi (bus)
Admission: Free
Featuring an arena of 3,230 square meters accommodating up to 6,500 people, this giant sports facility is about as close as one might get in terms of atmosphere to watching a game in a real stadium.
Name: Ten-Shiba
Address: 5-5-5 Chausuyamachō, Tennōji-ku, Osaka
Closest Station: Tennoji, Tennoji-Ekimae
Admission: Free
Recipient of the Good Design Award 2016, Ten-Shiba comes complete with a variety of shops and restaurants for a pleasant game-watching experience.
Name: Hanazono Central Park Baseball Stadium
Address: 1-1-43 Matsubaraminami, Higashiosaka, Osaka
Closest Station: Higashi-Hanazono
Admission: Free
As the name implies, this is a baseball stadium that is surrounded by a natural floral garden.
Name: Meriken Park
Address: 2-2 Hatoba-Cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Closest Station: Motomachi
Admission: Free
Located adjacent to the sea, this park allows visitors to enjoy various Kobe landmarks, including Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum.
Name: JR Hakata Station Square
Address: 1-1 Hakata-eki-Chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Closest Station: Hakata
Admission: Free
The Nigiwai Koryu Kukan is a vibrant social space for people to interact and mingle. It’s an excellent spot to watch a game with other fans.
Name: Hanabatake Square
Address: 7-10 Hanabatachō, Chūō-ku, Kumamoto
Closest Station: Karashima-cho (tram), Kumamoto
Admission: Free
Situated in a commercial area with bustling roads and busy streets, the square is set to become a genuine sanctuary for those who wish to engage with the local community and relax.
Name: Oita Ikoi no Michi Square
Address: 1-5-5 Higashiomichi, Oita
Closest Station: Oita
Admission: Free
Boasting a vast greenway that is 100 meters wide and 444 meters long, Oita Ikoi no Michi Square allows visitors to engage with the community by participating in events, volunteering to maintain the lawn or viewing matches together.
