I've ended up booking an APA hotel which is cancellable in Kitakyushu as mentioned previously. Will cancel if anything closer pops up over the next year, but I doubt it and even if it does, I'm sure it will be extortionate, so I can see us sticking with this option as it's a very reasonable price and right next to the train station. As the stadium capacity is 30,000 less than Cardiff, and Japanese transportation infrastructure seemingly far superior than in South Wales, I hope there'll be no nightmare stories of getting to and from for those commuting in! The downer is we may have to miss the quarter final matches that are on afterwards to make sure we get on a train back.
In 2015 the host cities set up fanzones with big screens. I watched a game prior to the England v Wales at Richmond Park. I'm sure that they will be doing the same in Japan.
I thought I share some information about travelling around Japan. For domestic flights, ANA and JAL offer special discounted tickets for foreign visitors. https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/ejf/ https://www.world.jal.co.jp/world/en/japan_explorer_pass/lp/ As for hotels, lots of local hotels only start accept booking 3-6 months in advance. There are huge numbers of hotels in Oita. For the sample lists of hotels there, go to the link below:- https://travel.rakuten.com/hotellis...checkout=2019-03-06&limit=20&offset=0&rooms=1 Also for those who want to save money on accommodation, you can stay so called "Capsul Hotels". You will find them in every major cities in Japan. Example of this is here. http://gloria-oita.com/en/room/#117483 Usually costs around £20-30 per night. Although I'm sure that the price will go up considerably during the World Cup and the rooms may be snapped up quickly. Those who are young enough and do not need proper sleep, there are lots of facilities open all night in Japan. Many Karaoke rooms, bars, Manga Coffee shops and restaurants open 24 hours. "Love" hotels can be rented hourly. Some Sauna/ Hot Spring facilities open 24hours and may have shared nap rooms and overnight accommodation. No doubt all these places will be very busy during the tournament and again booking is recommended in advance where applicable. (none of these facilities will accept booking, yet). Enjoy your time in Japan.
This is very helpful, thank you. Didn't know about the discounted internal flights for foreigners, and the tip about the local hotels is good to know.
How juice drink billionaire bankrolled Germany’s Rugby World Cup charge https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2...O6bRArFOwCBtLgSWBGZDczbYaqnE-Ga5CFeR82S0AtKSA
Update to my trip, flights booked last night: October 6th, London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda direct. With ANA Airlines. Return 29th October. Booked some cheap internal flights too thanks to Umeda55's links above, for Tokyo to Osaka, and Kagoshima to Okinawa. Cannot wait
If there is any interest in this weekend rugby internationals or E-Books for Japan send me a PM. I can send them via WETRANSFER
Same. Still going to go though, booking the hotels this week hopefully, fingers crossed for the first come first served or resale so I can watch a game.
Unsuccessful for me too but only went in for Japan v Russia and Final this time anyway as already sorted the rest.
Also unsuccessful. Will try my luck from January in the general sale as expected. Not too worried as I'll get what I need somehow someway by next autumn. I got England vs Wales Cat D tickets about a month before the game in 2015.
What are peoples thoughts on premium tickets for the final? I've got 2 premium and 2 cat a - and I wish I had currency converted the amount before entering the ballot! Do you think they'll be in high demand nearer the time? or reckon it will be team dependent?
You’ll not have much trouble getting rid of final tickets. There’ll always be takers for such a marquee event especially such good seats which you managed to get. A NZ v Ireland final would be the hottest ticket in town, 1 v 2 in the world and especially the number of Irish willing to fly over and pay to see once in a life time chance to win a World Cup. You could name your price if that final materialised. Still, having said that the last RWC final was not full to capacity - maybe shy by 2000. Probably because no NH sides got to the final.
If any of you are looking for Kobe hotels I've just found and booked this one https://www.candeohotels.com/multi-language/branch/rooms?branch=kobe-torroad&lang=en Also available on booking.com and Expedia. It seemed to me at least a good mix between quality and cost from what I've seen and had booked previously.
Thanks for the tip David. I've just cancelled a booking I had in Osaka and booked into the hotel in Kobe I'm using the same hotel chain in Fukuoka.
Booked a hotel in Shibuya for SF and Final. Deciding on if I should travel before that date around Japan or after though. I'm leaning on trying to go to the QF, SF and Final and day trip to places like Hiroshima. Tempted to do a week in Seoul after as well.
A tip for Hiroshima besides the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and A-Bomb Dome is the Mazda museum. http://www.mazda.com/en/about/museum/guide/ Here you can get to see the vehicle assembly line via an observation deck. Admission is free.
