Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture may already ring a bell with rugby fans – it was one of the cities that hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and a closely contested match between Fiji and Uruguay was held at the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium.
The stadium is also home to the Kamaishi Sea Waves, a rugby union team that plays in Division 2 of the Japan Rugby League One competition. For sporting fans, a two-day event in April combines the excitement and energy of a Sea Waves rugby game with sightseeing and cultural experiences in the region.
The event will be hosted by Blue Compass, an organization that strives to rejuvenate Japanese regional communities through social, business, and sporting events. Kamaishi was devastated by the triple disaster in 2011, but rugby has been a big part of the area’s revitalization – in fact, the stadium itself was built as part of the region’s recovery efforts.
The trip itinerary is as follows:
Saturday, April 9th 2022
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10:36 Departure from Tokyo Station on JR Shinkansen Yamabiko 57 bound for Morioka
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13:41 Arrival at Shinhanamaki Station, followed by a drive to Kamaishi
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15:30 Kamaishi Daikannon (Admission fee: 500 yen)
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16:30 Check in at Houraikan, a hot springs accommodation spot with a view of the ocean
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18:00 Departure for dinner
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18:30 Dinner
Sunday, April 10th 2022
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9:00 Nebama Beach activities
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10:00 Tsunami Memorial Hall
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11:00 Travel time to the stadium
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12:00 Rugby Kickoff: Kamaishi Sea Waves vs. Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
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14:00 Departure for lunch
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15:00 Late lunch at Tonoramu
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16:00 Depart for Shinhanamaki Station
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17:00 Arrival at Shinhanamaki Station
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17:18 Departure from Shinhanamaki Station: JR Shinkansen Hayabusa No.112 bound for Tokyo
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19:56 Arrival at Tokyo Station
If you can't attend the trip but would still like to support Blue Compass, donations can be made via PayPal on their website.
