We couldn't be more excited to announce that Japan is now on our ever-increasing destinations list as we embark on the 2025 Touring Season. 

Sky High Sports has always stayed true to our value of only dealing in destinations where we're sure of a success & we're proud that this is no exception. 

We were fortunate to be invited to Japan in November 2024 alongside the Tourist Authority for a familiarisation visit which, quite literally, blew our minds. 

The schedule focused heavily on both the incredible Rugby Community in Japan but also, it was geared to introduce off-the-track tourism locations and open them to Sports Tourism. We soon learnt that, as with many European destinations, Japan is battling with over-tourism in some areas and by channelling sports tourism to lesser-known parts of the country, it appears they have a great sustainable solution to his. 

Our trip started in Tokyo.

The first evening took us through the back streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku to some hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. Whilst we're saying nothing new here, what is instantly staggering is the cleanliness and respect on show at every turn amidst the chaos and bustle. 

Our Hotel in Tokyo & without question our #1 base for future teams was the Tokuy Rei Hotel in Kichijoji, a district of Tokyo around 15-20 minutes on the Metro from Shibuya. It is a little quieter than the two famous quarters, but it retains the Tokyo-feel, particularly on harmony alley, pictured right. The transit system is a little daunting, but we, like you will, had a team of excellent local Guides who kept us on the straight and narrow. 

The street is packed with restaurants serving Sushi, Ramen and some comfort-zone challenging local specialities. Elsewhere in Kchijoji is the beautiful Inokashira Park, offering welcome rest-bite from the intensity of the city. The Hotel itself is a steady-away 3* Hotel, much on the basis of a Holiday Inn Express in Europe.

Over the next few days, we were immersed in the world of Japanese rugby.

It kicked off at the Chichibu National Stadium with a double-header of University games. The venue, in the backdrop of the 2021 Olympic Stadium, was packed. University Rugby in Japan has a similar culture to making the gridiron-grade at a top football college in the US.

It has, in the past, been a greater honour to represent your University than it is your country in Japan & it is the current task of everyone's favourite Australian, Eddie Jones, to unpick that.

We watched some Japanese rugby heavyweights, including Teikyo & Waseda Universities, who went on to play out the Championship Final in Jan 2025. The games were fast, frantic, expansive & hugely impressive.

Ahead of watching a Japan League One pre-season game at NEC Green Rockets, we had the incredible opportunity to meet with Koji Tokumasu, lauded as 'the man' who brought the World Cup to Japan in 2019.

He entertained with stories about the development of the game in Japan & took us back to moments after Jonny dropped for glory in 2003, when he first pinned the then head of World Rugby/IRB Syd Millar about bringing RWC to Japan. He made it his life’s work.

We learnt of it initially being booked for 2011, but in true Rugby style, that was changed and in 2019, the country created history. It soon became apparent that if anything happens in Japanese Rugby, it should go through Mr. Tokumasu. There couldn't be a better man to work with.

NEC Green Rockets play in Division Two of the League One competition, with notable players including ex-Aussie Scrum-Half Nick Phipps and Welsh out-half Reese Patchell. Post game, we were treated to dinner with club GM Osamu Ohta, a former player who was part of the 1991 and 1995 Japanese World Cup squads, forwards coach & ex-Leicester Prop Boris Stankovich and head-coach Wayne Pivac.

It was absolutely fascinating to learn of players all being employees of NEC, as is the case at the clubs owned by Sanyo & Panasonic, and as part of their contract, the odd day on the factory-floor isn't unheard of. The various tiers of contract in Japan which regulates the number of overseas players whilst creating incentives to promote local talent were particularly interesting & something which would be a welcome addition to European leagues.

That said, the playing budgets discussed were as eye-watering & NEC, who, at the time of writing, sit 17th of 26 clubs within the League One structure, would blow a number of Premiership & URC clubs out of the water in terms of spending-power. Rather than individual or governing body owners as in Europe, multi-national corporations bankroll the teams as part marketing tool, part staff engagement, partly to encourage health and fitness and of course, part ego.

That night was our first immersion into the Japanese Rugby Culture of ‘No-Side.’ Those of a certain age will still recall when No-Side was used at Full-Time when neither team had possession, but that carries on here.

What it represents though is the next bit. Much like the Terzo Tempo or Tercer Tiempo in Italy, Spain & Argentina, No-Side means neither team is superior and what follows represents camaraderie, friendship, hospitality and sharing with your new friends.

We were presented with Sake cups which themselves were served with a small bowl underneath – not dissimilar to a teacup and saucer. The intention is that you fill your neighbours cup until it overflows signalling no-end to generosity. A great touch & certainly a good way to get the conversation going.

The next stop was right back to Grass Roots. The Heroes Cup is a concept of Mini Rugby in Japan which operates much like a national competition. The brainchild of Toshiyuki Hayashi, captain of the 1987 Japan RWC Team and known as 'The Destroyer,' the Heroes Cup draws together Mini Rugby Players from every prefecture and city across Japan in a range of qualification tournaments, with winners proceeding to the latter stages. The event we witnessed was played over two pitches & whilst it was a world away from home, it was great to see so many warm familiarities of enthusiastic kids enjoying their sport on a Sunday Morning. 

Our visit coincided with the Queensland Reds Tour of Japan. They played the Saitama Wild Knights, currently #1 in Japan, at their impressive stadium in Kumagaya, a city known simply as 'Rugby Town.' On the Stadium complex, the Wild Knights High Performance Centre is based next to a superb Sports Hotel boasting state-of-the-art facilities which would make a perfect starting-base for teams focusing on performance during their tour. The Hotel overlooks the training pitch, has a great restaurant offering both traditional and European menus and being Japan, a relaxing Onsen facility. In a first for us, the Hotel, as well as typical 3* Twin Rooms, offers capsule beds. Part space age, part supermarket shelf, this offers a great cost-saving option. 

From Kumagaya, we departed by Bullet Train to Kamaishi on the incredible Sanriku coastline of Iwate prefecture, an area devastated by the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami. 

Kamaishi proudly describes itself as a city of Steel, Fishing & Rugby. 

The cities rugby team, the Sea Waves, was borne out of the Nippon Steel corporation, itself native to Kamaishi. The team dominated Japanese Rugby in the 70s and 80s. The location on the coastline makes the fishing industry no surprise, but the story of how Rugby recently became part of city folklore lies in the recovery effort following the 2011 tsunami. 

On March 11th that year, an earthquake measuring 9.0, the greatest to ever hit Japan, struck 45km off the coast. Waves of over 40m travelled at 435mph and in parts reached 10km inland. Freezing temperatures and little warning resulted in 19,759 people losing their lives across the region. 

In Kamaishi, one of the many buildings to be destroyed was the local school, which sat at the heart of the community - physically and emotionally. In the recovery effort following the Tsunami, the community decided to provide the town with purpose & restore local pride.

Soon after, the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium was built on the very site the school once stood. Fast-forward to 2019, the Stadium hosted Fiji & Uruguay in Rugby World Cup and but for the Typhoon which impacted that tournament, was due to host Namibia Vs Canada too. The stadium is stunning and the playing surface spectacular. The small details, such as the seating made from timber reclaimed in the clean-up, do leave a deep impression. 

As well as Tokyo & Kumagaya, our Itineraries will focus on Kamaishi. The opportunity to get off the beaten track, visit a Rugby heartland & spend time in a city where a visiting team would leave lasting impact, is one rarely matched anywhere.

The Rugby Experience would of course feature heavily on games & training at the Stadium. Opportunities for coaching local children and outreach work are aplenty. Should your visit be over a weekend & in-season, tickets to watch the Sea Waves in League One is a must.

We spent an evening in the company of Sea Waves GM Yoshihiko Sakuraba, another player turned administrator with Japanese world cup duty on his CV. His exceptional Karaoke skills aside, he was passionate about creating a team that could be the pride of his region & of making Kamaishi into the best Rugby Town in Japan. It is certain that teams who travel here will have a unique and hospitable experience.  

During our visit, we sailed at dawn in pursuit of Fishing Trawlers seeking their morning catch, visited a secondary-school and experienced a Kendo & Taiko drums demonstration, toured a family-owned Sake Brewery, took a scenic train along the coast & met some incredible people who despite experiencing great tragedy, welcomed us warmly and sincerely. Any tour here must touch on the 2011 disaster of course, but with so much more defining the area, there is a lot of fun and unique experience to be had too.

Accommodation here would be a choice between a traditional Japanese Ryokan – Tatami Floors, Futon Beds & Yukata Kimonos – or a Hotel much like that down in Tokyo.

Our trip returned south to Tokyo & included a visit to Yokohama, the city which staged the 2019 World Cup Final. Our visit coincided with the final game in the Japanese Pro Baseball league. The cities’ team, the Bay Stars, won the coveted Japan Series & it made for a manic evening. The Baseball would be a must on any itinerary.

Whilst rugby is at the heart of our tours, Japan offers so much more to explore. A visit to Tokyo wouldn't be complete without a day trip to the iconic Mount Fuji.

A key element to a tour to Japan would be local support on the ground. Contrary to our default desire to manage all ground arrangements directly across our network, Japan is a country that is run on connections and introductions.

Navigating Japan's unique culture and language can be challenging, so it is essential that eyes-and-ears are needed on the ground. We’re blessed therefore that we have struck a relationship with a great team on the ground who themselves have vast experience & share our passion for Rugby.

Another element which needs a nod would be the food. In the International City of Tokyo, it is straightforward to seek solutions for all appetites. The further off the trail though, the more typical and traditional it gets. For many, this would be part of the experience, however, for timid tasters, we’ll endeavor to provide as best as possible.

Our itineraries are flexible and can be tailored to your preferences. Whether you want to escape the summer heat in Sapporo or explore the rugby city of Fukuoka in the south, we've got you covered. While cities like Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto are tempting, we encourage you to explore the lesser-known corners of Japan for a truly unique experience.

For more information on our Japanese offering, email richie@rugbytours.co.uk.