Cheer song 'Daenzakura' unites players, fans
Music and sports are completely different fields. There are many situations, however, where their paths cross. Often it's music and songs that help cheer up fans and teams and allow supporters to develop strong bonds with the players and each other. Singing "Take Me Out ...
Rugby World Cup fever set to bring masses to Japan
The 2019 Rugby World Cup has been dubbed by organizers as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. And for many of the more than 400,000 foreigners expected to travel here, it will be their one and only chance to visit Japan. Fans who are used to weekend jaunts ...
Surging yen likely to clobber Rugby World Cup visitors to Japan
For Rugby World Cup fans budgeting for the trip of a lifetime to Japan this fall, the recent surge in the yen could have come at a better time. And the currency gods seem to be inflicting the most pain on followers of teams ...
Brave Blossoms unveil new uniforms
The Japan Rugby Football Union revealed the new jersey for its national team, which could help the Brave Blossoms achieve a feat at the upcoming Rugby World Cup on home soil, on Thursday. [video_embed number="1"] While the basic white and red design remained the same from ...
Brave Blossoms boss Jamie Joseph explains Sunwolves player policy
Japan coach Jamie Joseph hit back at criticism over his handling of the Sunwolves saying that from a national team's point of view things went well, though not necessarily the way they were initially intended to go. "I thought it was the perfect plan," he ...
Rugby World Cup trophy arrives in Japan for three-month tour
The trophy for this year's Rugby World Cup arrived in Japan on Monday ahead of a three-month tour around the country. The Webb Ellis Cup landed at Narita airport after traveling more than 300,000 km around the globe on the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. It ...
A weekend in Kumamoto: In the land of the smoking volcano
Since 2016, Kumamoto has been associated more with the earthquake and aftershocks that damaged much of the city and prefecture than as a travel destination. Though reconstruction is complete in most areas, there is still evidence of damage, most notably to Kumamoto Castle, a ...
Rugby World Cup organizers offer refunds to those affected by mix-up between Yokohama and Aichi
The organizing committee for the Rugby World Cup 2019 said Friday it has offered refunds or equivalent seating to customers who bought semifinal tickets listed for the wrong venue on the official ticketing website. During a 2½ hour period Wednesday, the semifinal scheduled for Oct. ...
Heineken expecting 70% sales bump in Japan during Rugby World Cup
The company that makes and distributes Heineken beer in Japan said Tuesday it is eyeing a year-on-year sales rise of about 70 percent between September and November, when the country will be hosting the Rugby World Cup. Heineken Kirin K.K., an affiliate of Kirin Holdings ...
Scotland's Stuart Hogg looks ahead to rematch with Brave Blossoms
Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg admits the autumn heat in Japan could hamper his team's chances of claiming a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal spot at the host nation's expense later this year. But he also warns that the Scots are quick learners. "We played Japan in 2016 ...
Rugby Australia boss to Japan: Prepare to host a different kind of fan at World Cup
The CEO of Rugby Australia on Monday warned organizers of this year's World Cup to be prepared to deal with spectators that can be more a little more exuberant than the typical Japanese fan. Speaking with a group of Japanese media outlets at Rugby Australia ...
Rugby World Cup organizers express concern over beer stocks as Japan girds for thirsty foreign fans
The committee warned restaurant operators that running out of beer would cost them lucrative business opportunities and could create bad publicity.
