Rugby World Cup 2019 Guide
Get ready for the Rugby World Cup 2019 coming to Japan
All eyes are on Japan as it welcomes Asia's first Rugby World Cup in 2019. Our guide presents all the travel guide info rugby fans will need during the tournament.

Rugby World Cup 2019 Guide

20 September – 2 November 2019

Get ready for the
Rugby World Cup 2019

All eyes will be on Japan in 2019 as it prepares to be the first Asian nation to host the Rugby World Cup tournament.

It's under a month to go until the tournament kicks off, when Japan—aka the Brave Blossoms—will take on Russia at Tokyo Stadium on September 20th hoping to repeat the heroics of their famous victory against the Springboks in 2015.

Japan Travel provides all you need to know about Japan's regions hosting rugby matches, the stadiums, getting tickets and information about travelling in Japan during the tournament.

Pools:
How the rugby teams faced off

Pool A

# Team GP +/- P
1 Japan 4 +53 19
2 Ireland 4 +94 16
3 Scotland 4 +64 11
4 Samoa 4 -70 5
5 Russia 4 -141 0

Pool B

# Team GP PD P
1 New Zealand 3 +135 16
2 South Africa 4 +149 15
3 Italy 3 +20 12
4 Namibia 3 -141 2
5 Canada 3 -163 2

Pool C

# Team GP +/- P
1 England 3 +99 17
2 France 3 +28 15
3 Argentina 4 +15 11
4 Tonga 4 -38 6
5 USA 4 -104 0

Pool D

# Team GP PD P
1 Wales 4 +67 19
2 Australia 4 +68 16
3 Fiji 4 +2 7
4 Georgia 4 -57 5
5 Uruguay 4 -80 4
© World Rugby

How to get rugby tickets

Don't want to miss out on the All Blacks trying to defend their 2015 World Cup title? Read on to find out how to get in on the action.

The general global ballot originally ran from Sept–Nov 2018, with further sales periods that commenced in January and May 2019. A final general sales phase began on Saturday, Aug 10.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis – so don't delay!

10 August, 2019

Fourth General Ticket Sales

Get rugby tickets now!

Tournament Schedule:
Rugby Fixture List

Here's the full fixture list for the tournament. Find out when and where each rugby match will be held and learn more about each host prefecture in Japan. All times JST (UTC +9).

The opening ceremony will be held in Tokyo, before group fixtures commence around Japan—from Hokkaido in the north, to Kyushu in the south.

Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Schedule – Fixtures by Date
# Date Match Score Pool Venue Area
Pool Phase
- Fri, Sept 20 Opening Ceremony - Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
1 Fri, Sept 20 Japan v Russia 30 - 10 A Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
2 Sat, Sept 21 Australia v Fiji 39 - 21 D Sapporo Dome Hokkaido
3 Sat, Sept 21 France v Argentina 23 - 21 C Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
4 Sat, Sept 21 New Zealand v South Africa 23 - 13 B International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
5 Sun, Sept 22 Italy v Namibia 47 - 22 B Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
6 Sun, Sept 22 Ireland v Scotland 27 - 3 A International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
7 Sun, Sept 22 England v Tonga 35 - 3 C Sapporo Dome Hokkaido
8 Mon, Sept 23 Wales v Georgia 43 - 14 D Toyota Stadium Aichi
9 Tue, Sept 24 Russia v Samoa 9 - 34 A Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
10 Wed, Sept 25 Fiji v Uruguay 27 - 30 D Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Iwate
11 Thu, Sept 26 Italy v Canada 48 - 7 B Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
12 Thu, Sept 26 England v USA 45 - 7 C Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
13 Sat, Sept 28 Argentina v Tonga 28 - 12 C Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
14 Sat, Sept 28 Japan v Ireland 19 - 12 A Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
15 Sat, Sept 28 South Africa v Namibia 57 - 3 B Toyota stadium Aichi
16 Sun, Sept 29 Georgia v Uruguay 33 - 7 D Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
18 Mon, Sept 30 Scotland v Samoa 34 - 0 A Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
19 Wed, Oct 02 France v USA 33 - 9 C Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
20 Wed, Oct 02 New Zealand v Canada 63 - 0 B Oita Stadium Oita
21 Thu, Oct 03 Georgia v Fiji 10 - 45 D Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
22 Thu, Oct 03 Ireland v Russia 35 - 0 A Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
23 Fri, Oct 04 South Africa v Italy 49 - 3 B Shizuoka Stadium ecopa Shizuoka
24 Sat, Oct 05 Australia v Uruguay 45 - 10 D Oita Stadium Oita
25 Sat, Oct 05 England v Argentina 39 - 10 C Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
26 Sat, Oct 05 Japan v Samoa 38 - 19 A Toyota Stadium Aichi
27 Sun, Oct 06 New Zealand v Namibia 71 - 9 B Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
28 Sun, Oct 06 France v Tonga 23 - 21 C Kumamoto Stadium Kumamoto
29 Tue, Oct 08 South Africa v Canada 66 - 7 B Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
30 Wed, Oct 09 Argentina v USA 47 - 17 C Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
31 Wed, Oct 09 Scotland v Russia 61 - 0 A Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
32 Wed, Oct 09 Wales v Fiji 29 - 17 D Oita Stadium Oita
33 Fri, Oct 11 Australia v Georgia 29 - 8 D Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
34 Sat, Oct 12 New Zealand v Italy Cancelled B Toyota Stadium Aichi
35 Sat, Oct 12 England v France Cancelled C International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
36 Sat, Oct 12 Ireland v Samoa 47 - 5 A Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
37 Sun, Oct 13 Namibia v Canada Cancelled B Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Iwate
38 Sun, Oct 13 USA v Tonga 19 - 31 C Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
39 Sun, Oct 13 Wales v Uruguay 35 - 13 D Kumamoto Stadium Kumamoto
40 Sun, Oct 13 Japan v Scotland 28 - 21 A International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
Knockout Phase
41 Sat, Oct 19 England v Australia 40 - 16 QF1 Oita Stadium Oita
42 Sat, Oct 19 New Zealand v Ireland 46 - 14 QF2 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
43 Sun, Oct 20 Wales v France 20 - 19 QF3 Oita Stadium Oita
44 Sun, Oct 20 Japan v South Africa 3 - 26 QF4 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
45 Sat, Oct 26 England v New Zealand 19 - 7 SF International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
46 Sun, Oct 27 Wales v South Africa 16 - 19 SF International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
47 Fri, Nov 01 New Zealand v Wales 40 - 17 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
48 Sat, Nov 02 England v South Africa 12 - 32 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa

Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Schedule – Fixtures by Pool
# Date Match Score Venue Area
- Fri, Sept 20 Opening Ceremony Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
Pool A
1 Fri, Sept 20 Japan v Russia 30 - 10 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
6 Sun, Sept 22 Ireland v Scotland 27 - 3 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
9 Tue, Sept 24 Russia v Samoa 9 - 34 Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
14 Sat, Sept 28 Japan v Ireland 19 - 12 Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
18 Mon, Sept 30 Scotland v Samoa 34 - 0 Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
22 Thu, Oct 03 Ireland v Russia 35 - 0 Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
26 Sat, Oct 05 Japan v Samoa 38 - 19 Toyota Stadium Aichi
31 Wed, Oct 09 Scotland v Russia 61 - 0 Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
36 Sat, Oct 12 Ireland v Samoa 47 - 5 Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
40 Sun, Oct 13 Japan v Scotland 28 - 21 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
Pool B
4 Sat, Sept 21 New Zealand v South Africa 23 - 13 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
5 Sun, Sept 22 Italy v Namibia 47 - 22 Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
11 Thu, Sept 26 Italy v Canada 48 - 7 Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
15 Sat, Sept 28 South Africa v Namibia 57 - 3 Toyota stadium Aichi
20 Wed, Oct 02 New Zealand v Canada 63 - 0 Oita Stadium Oita
23 Fri, Oct 04 South Africa v Italy 49 - 3 Shizuoka Stadium ecopa Shizuoka
27 Sun, Oct 06 New Zealand v Namibia 71 - 9 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
29 Tue, Oct 08 South Africa v Canada 66 - 7 Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
34 Sat, Oct 12 New Zealand v Italy Cancelled Toyota Stadium Aichi
37 Sun, Oct 13 Namibia v Canada Cancelled Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Iwate
Pool C
3 Sat, Sept 21 France v Argentina 23 - 21 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
7 Sun, Sept 22 England v Tonga 35 - 3 Sapporo Dome Hokkaido
12 Thu, Sept 26 England v USA 45 - 7 Kobe Misaki Stadium Kobe
13 Sat, Sept 28 Argentina v Tonga 28 - 12 Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
19 Wed, Oct 02 France v USA 33 - 9 Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Fukuoka
25 Sat, Oct 05 England v Argentina 39 - 10 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
28 Sun, Oct 06 France v Tonga 23 - 21 Kumamoto Stadium Kumamoto
30 Wed, Oct 09 Argentina v USA 47 - 17 Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
35 Sat, Oct 12 England v France Cancelled International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
38 Sun, Oct 13 USA v Tonga 19 - 31 Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
Pool D
2 Sat, Sept 21 Australia v Fiji 39 - 21 Sapporo Dome Hokkaido
8 Mon, Sept 23 Wales v Georgia 43 - 14 Toyota Stadium Aichi
10 Wed, Sept 25 Fiji v Uruguay 27 - 30 Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Iwate
16 Sun, Sept 29 Georgia v Uruguay 33 - 7 Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Saitama
17 Sun, Sept 29 Australia v Wales 25 - 29 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
21 Thu, Oct 03 Georgia v Fiji 10 - 45 Hanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka
24 Sat, Oct 05 Australia v Uruguay 45 - 10 Oita Stadium Oita
32 Wed, Oct 09 Wales v Fiji 29 - 17 Oita Stadium Oita
33 Fri, Oct 11 Australia v Georgia 29 - 8 Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Shizuoka
39 Sun, Oct 13 Wales v Uruguay 35 - 13 Kumamoto Stadium Kumamoto
Knockout Phase
41 Sat, Oct 19 England v Australia QF1 40 - 16 Oita Stadium Oita
42 Sat, Oct 19 New Zealand v Ireland QF2 46 - 14 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
43 Sun, Oct 20 Wales v France QF3 20 - 19 Oita Stadium Oita
44 Sun, Oct 20 Japan v South Africa QF4 3 - 26 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
45 Sat, Oct 26 England v New Zealand SF 19 - 7 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
46 Sun, Oct 27 Wales v South Africa SF 16 - 19 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa
47 Fri, Nov 01 New Zealand v Wales 40 - 17 Tokyo Stadium Tokyo
48 Sat, Nov 02 England v South Africa 12 - 32 International Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa

Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Schedule – Fixtures by Venue
# Date Match Kickoff Pool
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium | Fukuoka
11 Thu, Sept 26 Italy v Canada 48 - 7 B
19 Wed, Oct 02 France v USA 33 - 9 C
36 Sat, Oct 12 Ireland v Samoa 47 - 5 A
Hanazono Rugby Stadium | Osaka
5 Sun, Sept 22 Italy v Namibia 47 - 22 B
13 Sat, Sept 28 Argentina v Tonga 28 - 12 C
21 Thu, Oct 03 Georgia v Fiji 10 - 45 D
38 Sun, Oct 13 USA v Tonga 19 - 31 C
International Stadium Yokohama | Kanagawa
4 Sat, Sept 21 New Zealand v South Africa 23 - 13 B
6 Sun, Sept 22 Ireland v Scotland 27 - 3 A
35 Sat, Oct 12 England v France Cancelled C
40 Sun, Oct 13 Japan v Scotland 28 - 21 A
45 Sat, Oct 26 England v New Zealand 19 - 7 SF
46 Sun, Oct 27 Wales v South Africa 16 - 19 SF
48 Sat, Nov 02 England v South Africa 12 - 32
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium | Iwate
10 Wed, Sept 25 Fiji v Uruguay 27 - 30 D
37 Sun, Oct 13 Namibia v Canada Cancelled B
Kobe Misaki Stadium | Kobe
12 Thu, Sept 26 England v USA 45 - 7 C
18 Mon, Sept 30 Scotland v Samoa 34 - 0 A
22 Thu, Oct 03 Ireland v Russia 35 - 0 A
29 Tue, Oct 08 South Africa v Canada 66 - 7 B
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium | Saitama
9 Tue, Sept 24 Russia v Samoa 9 - 34 A
16 Sun, Sept 29 Georgia v Uruguay 33 - 7 D
30 Wed, Oct 09 Argentina v USA 47 - 17 C
Kumamoto Stadium | Kumamoto
28 Sun, Oct 06 France v Tonga 23 - 21 C
39 Sun, Oct 13 Wales v Uruguay 35 - 13 D
Oita Stadium | Oita
20 Wed, Oct 02 New Zealand v Canada 63 - 0 B
24 Sat, Oct 05 Australia v Uruguay 45 - 10 D
32 Wed, Oct 09 Wales v Fiji 29 - 17 D
41 Sat, Oct 19 England v Australia 40 - 16 QF1
43 Sun, Oct 20 Wales v France 20 - 19 QF3
Sapporo Dome | Hokkaido
2 Sat, Sept 21 Australia v Fiji 39 - 21 D
7 Sun, Sept 22 England v Tonga 35 - 3 C
Shizuoka Stadium ecopa | Shizuoka
14 Sat, Sept 28 Japan v Ireland 19 - 12 A
23 Fri, Oct 04 South Africa v Italy 49 - 3 B
31 Wed, Oct 09 Scotland v Russia 61 - 0 A
33 Fri, Oct 11 Australia v Georgia 29 - 8 D
Tokyo Stadium | Tokyo
- Fri, Sept 20 Opening Ceremony -
1 Fri, Sept 20 Japan v Russia 30 - 10 A
3 Sat, Sept 21 France v Argentina 23 - 21 C
17 Sun, Sept 29 Australia v Wales 25 - 29 D
25 Sat, Oct 05 England v Argentina 39 - 10 C
27 Sun, Oct 06 New Zealand v Namibia 71 - 9 B
42 Sat, Oct 19 New Zealand v Ireland 46 - 14 QF2
44 Sun, Oct 20 Japan v South Africa 3 - 26 QF4
47 Fri, Nov 01 New Zealand v Wales 40 - 17
Toyota Stadium | Aichi
8 Mon, Sept 23 Wales v Georgia 43 - 14 D
15 Sat, Sept 28 South Africa v Namibia 57 - 3 B
26 Sat, Oct 05 Japan v Samoa 38 - 19 A
34 Sat, Oct 12 New Zealand v Italy Cancelled B

Rugby World Cup by Host City

Twelve venues around Japan will host matches during Rugby World Cup 2019. Find out more about each host city and the wider regions that will participate in the tournament.

Rugby World Cup in Tokyo

Japan's capital city of Tokyo will play host to some of the standout fixtures and will surely be on the itinerary of many rugby fans coming to Japan in 2019. As well as visiting some of the sites like Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu shrine, Asakusa and Shibuya, see how the city is also shaping up for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

More about Tokyo

Fixtures at Tokyo Stadium

# Date Match Score
- Fri, Sept 20 Opening Ceremony
1 Fri, Sept 20 Japan v Russia 30 - 10
3 Sat, Sept 21 France v Argentina 23 - 21
17 Sun, Sept 29 Australia v Wales 25 - 29
25 Sat, Oct 05 England v Argentina 39 - 10
27 Sun, Oct 06 New Zealand v Namibia 71 - 9
42 Sat, Oct 19 New Zealand v Ireland QF2 46 - 14
44 Sun, Oct 20 Japan v South Africa QF4 3 - 26
47 Fri, Nov 01 New Zealand v Wales 40 - 17

Rugby World Cup in Fukuoka

Fukuoka is a major hub city in Japan's southern island of Kyushu and will play host to three group fixtures at the Hakatanomori Football Stadium. A visit to Fukuoka offers much in the way of local delights, from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine to local yatai food stalls and Tonkotsu-style ramen.

More about Fukuoka

Fixtures at Hakatanomori Football Stadium

# Date Match Score
11 Thu, Sept 26 Italy v Canada 48 - 7
19 Wed, Oct 02 France v USA 33 - 9
36 Sat, Oct 12 Ireland v Samoa 47 - 5
More about Hakatanomori Football Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Kumamoto

Kumamoto in central Kyushu plays host to two rugby games. Kumamoto is a great place to go to if you’re looking for hot springs, including the popular Kurokawa Onsen. Be sure to visit Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s top castles, while you’re there and maybe you'll bump into Kumamon – the regional's loveable mascot.

More about Kumamoto

Fixtures at Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium

# Date Match Score
28 Sun, Oct 06 France v Tonga 23 - 21
39 Sun, Oct 13 Wales v Uruguay 35 - 13
More about Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Oita

Oita, on the eastern side of Kyushu, will play host to a range of rugby games, including some quarter-final fixtures. The region is best known for its hot springs, with the Hells of Beppu a particular highlight.

More about Oita

Fixtures at Oita Stadium

# Date Match Score
20 Wed, Oct 02 New Zealand v Canada 63 - 0
24 Sat, Oct 05 Australia v Uruguay 45 - 10
32 Wed, Oct 09 Wales v Fiji 29 - 17
41 Sat, Oct 19 England v Australia QF1 40 - 16
43 Sun, Oct 20 Wales v France QF3 20 - 19
More about Oita Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Kobe

Hyogo's capital is most well-known for its famous Japanese wagyu beef export, but also plays host to some choice rugby fixtures. Kobe's Chinatown is worth a visit, Arima Onsen close by, and a quick ropeway ride can take you to the top of Mount Rokko for some stunning views. Good access to neighbouring Himeji and Awaji Island too.

More about Kobe

Fixtures at Kobe Misaki Stadium

# Date Match Score
12 Thu, Sept 26 England v USA 45 - 7
18 Mon, Sept 30 Scotland v Samoa 34 - 0
22 Thu, Oct 03 Ireland v Russia 35 - 0
29 Tue, Oct 08 South Africa v Canada 66 - 7
More about Kobe Misaki Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Yokohama

Yokohama, in Kanagawa prefecture, will play to host a variety of games including the tournament's finals. The city is located just south of Tokyo but has plenty of attractions, including the Minato-mirai area and Chinatown.

More about Yokohama

Fixtures at International Stadium Yokohama

# Date Match Score
4 Sat, Sept 21 New Zealand v South Africa 23 - 13
6 Sun, Sept 22 Ireland v Scotland 27 - 3
35 Sat, Oct 12 England v France Cancelled
40 Sun, Oct 13 Japan v Scotland 28 - 21
45 Sat, Oct 26 England v New Zealand SF 19 - 7
46 Sun, Oct 27 Wales v South Africa SF 16 - 19
48 Sat, Nov 02 England vs South Africa 12 - 32
More about International Stadium Yokohama

Rugby World Cup in Toyota

The world-famous Toyota invites rugby fans to the home of the eponymous car maker over in Aichi prefecture. As well as museums celebrating this local heritage, nearby Nagoya offers plenty of attractions to go sightseeing.

More about Toyota

Fixtures at Toyota Stadium

# Date Match Score
8 Mon, Sept 23 Wales v Georgia 43 - 14
15 Sat, Sept 28 South Africa v Namibia 57 - 3
26 Sat, Oct 05 Japan v Samoa 38 - 19
34 Sat, Oct 12 New Zealand v Italy Cancelled
More about Toyota Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Higashi-Osaka

Osaka is the heart of the Kansai area in central Japan, considered the second biggest city after Tokyo. Offering a range of sites including Osaka Castle and the Kaiyukan Aquarium, the local cuisine is also worth trying out, including takoyaki and Kansai-style okonomiyaki.

More about Osaka

Fixtures at Hanazono Rugby Stadium

# Date Match Score
5 Sun, Sept 22 Italy v Namibia 47 - 22
13 Sat, Sept 28 Argentina v Tonga 28 - 12
21 Thu, Oct 03 Georgia v Fiji 10 - 45
38 Sun, Oct 13 USA v Tonga 19 - 31
More about Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Shizuoka

Known for its tea fields and views of Mount Fuji, Shizuoka will be playing host to several fixtures during the Rugby World Cup too, including a showdown between Japan and Ireland – considered one of the tournament's favourites.

More about Shizuoka

Fixtures at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

# Date Match Score
14 Sat, Sept 28 Japan v Ireland 19 - 12
31 Wed, Oct 09 Scotland v Russia 61 - 0
More about Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Rugby World Cup in Sapporo

Hokkaido in the north of Japan will see two fixtures take place during the group stages.

More about Sapporo

Fixtures at Sapporo Dome

# Date Match Score
2 Sat, Sept 21 Australia v Fiji 39 - 21
7 Sun, Sept 22 England v Tonga 35 - 3
More about Sapporo Dome

Rugby World Cup in Saitama

Saitama will see three fixtures take place over in Kumagaya, with good access to Tokyo to the south.

More about Saitama

Fixtures at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

# Date Match Score
9 Tue, Sept 24 Russia v Samoa 9 - 34
16 Sun, Sept 29 Georgia v Uruguay 33 - 7
30 Wed, Oct 09 Argentina v USA 47 - 17
More about Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

Rugby World Cup in Iwate

Iwate in the Tohoku region will play host to two fixtures during the tournament, with a visit here a potential opportunity to discover the wider Tohoku region, from Aomori to the north and Akita to the west.

More about Iwate

Fixtures at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium

# Date Match Score
10 Wed, Sept 25 Fiji v Uruguay 27 - 30
37 Sun, Oct 13 Namibia v Canada Cancelled
More about Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium
Krunja / Shutterstock.com

Autumn in Japan

Autumn in Japan is one of the best seasons to visit, with much of the country bathed in the beautiful red autumn foliage. Japanese gardens come alive, Kyoto's shrines and temples look extra mesmerising and views of Mount Fuji take on a whole new meaning.

Rugby fans coming to Japan will find the Rugby World Cup 2019 tournament coincides perfectly with the peak autumn season, providing plenty of chances to fall in love with Japan's red maple- and yellow gingko trees proudly on display.

Weather around Tokyo

  • Sept 21° - 27°
  • Oct 15° - 22°
  • Nov 9° - 17°
Weather in Japan

Top autumn spots during Rugby World Cup 2019

During your down time between rugby games, make sure to check out one of these recommended autumn hotspots to make the most of the warm, mild temperatures.

Autumn in Shikoku
Tokushima

Autumn in Shikoku

Susann Schuster

Travel tips for rugby fans

Find out where the official fan zones are to celebrate and watch the games, or browse our tips for making the most of your time in Japan.

Where to Watch: Rugby World Cup 2019

Where to Watch: Rugby World Cup 2019

Serena Ogawa

Planning a Japan trip

If you're a rugby fan hoping to visit Japan for the first time, then know before you go with our easy-to-use travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Japan. Learn everything you need to know about Japan's currency, weather and climate, and getting around via public transport.

Guide to Visiting Japan
Tokyo

Guide to Visiting Japan

Ignatius Koh