TRU recently made the trip to Tokyo to witness the opening of the Rugby World Cup. We reflect on our visit to Japan.
Rugby nations from around the globe are coming together to celebrate the game and compete to be World Cup winners.
A Rugby World Cup being held in Asia, in a country of amazing contrasts is one to celebrate. My aim was to capture those contrasts through images.
The buildings: The variety of big city skyscrapers in Tokyo like the Skytree, merged with some of the religious temples like Sensoji Temple at Asakusa is something to behold. Highrisers and skyscrapers are prominent, along with the huge digital advertising screens, a kaleidoscope of colour and vibrancy which awaits the RWC tourists.
The technology: There was new age technology everywhere from the iPad shushi conveyor belts to the extremely complex toilets! One of the standout thoughts to come away with was the amount of electric vehicles, they’ve really embraced that part of ‘green living’.
The museums: A plethora of museums and galleries can be found here...with the days ticking down we went to the SEGA Arcade high rise displaying all their gaming back catolgue, along with arcade style gaming on tap. But what I was most looking forward to was the teamLab Borderless Digital art museum, which didn’t disappoint. Putting you inside the digital environment with colours, interactions and lighting, the likes of which I’ve never experienced anything like. Stumbling across the odd public gallery offers an insight into the goings on at a 'lower level' in the city.
The food: This was the one category that really threw me. Having a gravity towards a UK high street Japanese restaurant, I thought this would be a like for like translation to the country of the food’s origin. The fact is that particular English restaurant chain has evolved those flavours to the English palette. So in Japan there are some real curve balls with what you think you’ve ordered. The menus are sometimes loosely translated, which is appreciated but occasionally missing the mark. Most noteably the ‘Frozen Baby Chicken Curry in Tempura’!?
That being said, apart from the odd inconsistency, the food is amazing, and you will be out your comfort zone, but embrace it.
The people: The People were amazing, hospitable and incredibly polite/respectful, we could learn a thing or two. Always out to help, and really embracing the game of rugby, comradery and all that comes with it!
The rugby: To date this Rugby World Cup has produced up some amazing games, the NZL v RSA game that we were lucky enough to see was a fabulous match. In a pristine Yokohama stadium, which holds 64,000 in the stands, we watched potentially the two top teams in the tournament coming together, in a probable pool decider in their first games of the tournament! The Haka was met with huge applause, but it was the Springboks in the crowd who were making the most noise, although been outnumbered by the All Black shirts in the crowd, as the Japanese have really bought into the New Zealand brand over there.
In terms of the game, South Africa I felt were huge in the defence department, but lacked anything other than route one in through the forwards. The classic Springbok power game was welcomed and nullified, along with some poor kicking decisions. New Zealand were clinical with their strike plays and used their kick pass tactically well, along with the offloading after contact, leaving the rushing SA defence in no-mans land once breeched. That being said, as a neutral, it was the intense, bruising encounter that the fixture promised, and one that will stay with me forever.
To anyone that goes out there, or is there currently, enjoy! It's hard not to.