{"id":23908,"date":"2019-05-17T12:16:03","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T11:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=23908"},"modified":"2024-09-11T15:22:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T14:22:12","slug":"rugby-world-cup-top-experiences-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/17\/rugby-world-cup-top-experiences-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup: Top experiences in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Did you know there\u2019s another chance to pick up Rugby World Cup tickets tomorrow (Saturday 18th May)? Even if you\u2019ve taken rugby trips before, Japan is a whole new ball game, so we\u2019ve come up with our favourite ways to make the most of your time between the matches.<!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Food<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21904\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21904\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-half-width wp-image-21904\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Vegan Ramen and Gyoza at Chabuton Osaka\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Figure-8-Vegan-Ramen-and-Gyoza-at-Chabuton-Osaka.jpg 1378w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Vegan ramen and gyoza at Chabuton Osaka<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Think food in Japan is all about conveyor belt sushi? You thought wrong. While we can\u2019t guarantee your team will return home in a blaze of glory, we know for certain you won\u2019t go hungry\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Tokyo may be the proud owner of the most Michelin starred restaurants in the world, but you don\u2019t have to splash the cash to find a good meal. Take a hungry pit-stop at an izakaya, relaxed informal pubs with an extensive menu of sharing plates and cool beer for thirsty fans. Or head to an <em>okonomiyaki<\/em> (savoury pancake) restaurant and design your own pancake with a variety of vegetables, seafood, pork and beef.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19151\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19151\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19151 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Okonomiyaki\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Okonomiyaki-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19151\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong><em>Okonomiyaki<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re on the run, <em>yatai<\/em> (food stalls) offer delicious speedy eats; look out for <em>takoyaki<\/em> (battered octopus balls) and <em>yakitori<\/em> (skewered meat). If you\u2019ve got a little more time, rest your feet to slurp a bowl of ramen \u2013 there are regional specialities, so worth trying a new dish at every new destination.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21415\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21415\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21415 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-720x479.jpg\" alt=\"Yakitori\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/iStock_000007030530Medium_Yakitori.jpg 1805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21415\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em><strong>Yakitori<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Japanese curries are unlikely to bear any resemblance to your average Friday night take-away. They tend to be mild with a base of sticky rice topped with a breaded pork, chicken or vegetable cutlet and served with a slightly sweet creamy sauce. A hearty pre-match meal.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Onsen<\/em> (hot spring baths)<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-22840\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Kotan Onsen, Hokkaido in summer\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-390x292.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Kotan-Onsen-1.jpg 1927w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You may think of Mount Fuji as Japan\u2019s most impressive natural highlight, but just wait until you\u2019ve tried an <em>onsen<\/em>. These steaming hot spring baths are Mother Nature\u2019s answer to the hot tub; just as you might kick back in a Jacuzzi, Japanese people love nothing more than sinking into these waters after a long day. Leave your swimming kit at home though, it\u2019s customary to take to the <em>onsen<\/em> in nothing but your birthday suit!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Ryokan\u00a0<\/em>(traditional Japanese inns)<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-7511\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-720x422.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-720x422.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-900x528.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-390x229.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-780x458.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3-510x299.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshimizuryokan-3.jpg 963w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of Western-style hotels in Japan, but for a real taste of Japanese culture, spend a night or two at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-sg003-8\/hot-spring-ryokan-stay-\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>ryokan<\/em><\/a>. These traditional lodgings have sliding paper doors, tatami mat floors, futon beds and delicious multi-course dinners. Packed with way more character than your average hotel room.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">History<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3145\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3145\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3145 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Matsumoto\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/matsumoto-castle.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3145\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Matsumoto Castle<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Tales of samurai, the <em>sakoku<\/em> period (when Japan was closed to the rest of the world), the devastating impact of the A-Bomb, the debauchery of the \u2018floating world\u2019 era\u2026 Japan\u2019s history is complex, affective and downright fascinating. Walk through Kanazawa\u2019s samurai district, climb the endless stairs to the top of 16th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-aa002-16\/the-and-quot-black-crow-and-quot-castle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matsumoto Castle<\/a> and set aside an afternoon to take in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-bs013-8\/peace-park-and-museum-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Tokyo Skytree<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-7854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/img_6469-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Brave the observation deck or sit down for a bite to eat in the second tallest tower in the world: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-gen04-16\/tokyo-skytree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tokyo Skytree<\/a>. Views from the tower make the sprawling districts of this enormous city look more akin to a toy town &#8211; not one for those scared of heights.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Shinkansen<\/em> (bullet trains)<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-5253\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Shinkansen bullet train\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/shinkansen-900x675.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Unlike other countries, in Japan public transport is a star attraction &#8211; the journey really is the destination. Book a window seat and buy a bento box to watch lush countryside, tiny towns and even Mount Fuji whizz by as you reach speeds of up to 200mph.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Geisha and <em>maiko<\/em> (apprentice geisha)<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-23584\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Maiko, Kyoto\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maiko1-2-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With mesmerising performances, timeless costumes and a way of life seemingly unaffected by the modern world, <em>maiko<\/em> and geisha capture the collective imagination. One thing\u2019s for certain, you will never forget the time you<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-gs1-7\/private-audience-with-a-maiko\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> sat down for a drinking game<\/a> with such an elegant companion!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Countryside<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13287\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13287\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-half-width wp-image-13287\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Miyajima-shrine.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13287\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Torii gate on Miyajima island<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rural Japan is seemingly worlds away from the building-sized adverts, noisy <em>pachinko<\/em> parlours and harried salarymen in the capital. Cycle through rice paddies near the quaint town of Takayama; stroll through UNESCO World Heritage village Shirakawago; marvel at the beautiful Kenrokuen gardens in Kanazawa; and channel your spiritual side at sacred Miyajima Island, home of the iconic floating torii gate.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to make it to the tournament more than ever after reading this list (hooray!), don&#8217;t miss the last chance sale on Saturday 18th May.\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Tickets will be listed at face value on the official Ruby World Cup website.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you&#8217;ve been lucky enough to secure tickets, but need help planning a tailored trip, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">InsideJapan Tours<\/a> or get in touch with our specialist rugby travel team.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Please note: None of the Japan Rugby Travel trips or tours contain match tickets for the Rugby World Cup. Our itineraries are designed to work around your match tickets. We are not affiliated to Rugby World Cup and have no association with the tournament.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F23908\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Did you know there\u2019s another chance to pick up Rugby World Cup tickets tomorrow (Saturday 18th May)? Even if you\u2019ve taken rugby trips before, Japan is a whole new ball game, so we\u2019ve come up with our favourite ways to make the most of your time between [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2365,2355,2367,2369],"tags":[2586,3424,4267],"class_list":["post-23908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-festivals-events-in-japan","category-first-trip-to-japan","category-japanese-culture-and-history","category-sports-and-adventure-in-japan","tag-rugby-world-cup","tag-rugby-world-cup-2019","tag-rugby-japan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23908"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34140,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23908\/revisions\/34140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}