Great Party at Shooter's, Nagoya, last night.

More to follow once they are converted and processed!

No Typhoon experienced yet

But it's definitely a whirlwind of excitement, drama, and suspense!---
 I am, so caught up in it all that I am behind on writing up and posting on this blog! To compensate I am just posting a  complete chronological album of half decent photos. Starting in Tokyo, then Hakone [Mt. Fuji}, Kanazawa, Takayama,, Nagoya, Kobe, Nara, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka I will give comments/explainations on photos at later date. The photo album page can be found herePHOTO ALBUM

Catch Up

I will try to catch up with diary and two match reports tonight. See all my snaps on the photo album page I added yesterday.

Photo Album Created

Here is a chronological photo Album----will arrange later. 
     Photos

Started my Diary & Match Reports

Have completed my first three days, and started my first match report.

Arrived Safe & Sound.

Here is a post I intended to send during my journey, but did not have enough time at AbuDhabi Airport to send it.


Well, In am nearly half way to Japan now as I post this. Journey good so far. Flight  about 50 mins late departing due to some safety bods deciding to an extra unscheduled check on the aircraft pre boarding on a very nearly full flight, Crew good and food & refreshments quite good considering the circumstances, Have been refreshing my memory on past world cups by watching very good rugby programmes provided by in flight entertainment.

Rest of Journey not as bad as I feared---survived without much cramp at all. Again the flight crew were excellent, and kept all the passengers supplied with endless food and drinks, which was of quite good quality considering all the circumstances. Arrived at Narita Airport and collected my Keisei Skyliner and subway pass tickets. Then got some cash out of ATM and purchased a Suica card [ for other tokyo travel & vending machines]. Made my way to what I thought was nearest station to my hotel and got a bit lost for a while. Could not open my simcard holder so could not get my smartphone going with Japanese simcard! Soon  found my way to hotel, then got a few different bites to eat with a few drinks in local suburb. Eating out in Japan is amazing.All eating out experiences seem to be to be 'Disneyfied'. With chefs and proprietors standing in doorways promoting their own experience. (And this is in the suburbs!] Dummies of people eating in window (like scarecrows) and fake food on the pavements. A real challenge on the sight processes to take it all in!  I saw most of Japan v Russia game,then hit the sack. Awoke bright as a button only 6 hours later. 

Heads Up on Sim Cards for Devices

If you are considering purchasing Japanese Sim cards for your mobile devices make sure that your device is unlocked or can be unlocked for another network Sim in time for your trip to Japan. You will not be able to use Japanese sim in a mobile device that is locked into using a particular provider. Contact your usual network provider ASAP !

Still adding updates and more links on all the information pages.

Just added links to information on planning train travel in Japan, and Subway travel in Tokyo, to my travelling in Japan page. Ticketing/Passes and all different options and routes are given on the links. 

Facebook

While in Japan I will be posting photos and supporters news to the facebook group page 'Irish Rugby World Cup Japan Forum' as well as to this blog's own forum.

Facebook group for Irish World Cup in Japan

FORUM FOR TRAVELLING SUPPORTERS NOW ADDED!

Share info or news about your travels, leave messages or comments. Tell us about the great places or people you have found, or anything else you care to share!  
Click on this link to go to the forum     Supporters' Forum 

Basics to know for a trip to Japan

I have added a link at the top of the top of the venues & travel page, as well as to the links section. It is a link to an excellent blog written by a british travel/food/culture writer with a good sense of humour. It gives a myriad of options and a links to details. Very helpful and informative.

Travel-Rugby-Beginners Gide to Japan 

Update on Tokyo 'Irish Pubs'

To start with, I have a reciprocal arrangement with one of the most popular Irish Pubs in Tokyo. It is called  'An Solas' and it is the only IRISH OWNED Pub in Tokyo. It is located in the suburb of Shinjuku which is just west of the city centre. There will probably be some good sessions there around the time of the RWC.          https://www.facebook.com/AnSolasIrishPub/

The next Irish Pub that grabbed my attention is 'The Irish Times', in Shinbashi (lol, hope that is not pigeon English), which is just southwest of the Tokyo Sports Square FANZONE, which in turn is just south of Tokyo central rail station complex. It is a lively sports bar, with pub grub, and sometimes music.

Then there is the chain of 5 Dubliners pubs located at Shinjuku, Ikebukoro, Askasaka, Sibuya and Shinagawa; which are all one local rail line and are southwest, west and northwest of the city centre.

Latest Conversion Rates

I have updated the latest Euro To Japanese Yen conversion rates as of today on to the Eating/Drinking page HERE

Latest further link and page development

Have just added a link to more detailed information on Yokohama area (Locations & Travel) and started adding places to hangout around Tokyo & Yokohama (Sightseeing/Hangouts)

More Updates on key planning pages completed

I have now developed key pages that are useful to anyone still planning their trip. Any suggestions welcome.Take a look and tell me what you think. Y'all keep coming back now. D'ya hear?
Now in process of trying to publicise the blog. Please like or share to facebook using the button underneath the links sections on right-hand side pane containing full contents.

Complete Pools Fixtures Day by Day

To help travelling fans on their way between matches to be aware of,and enjoy, other fixtures going on around Japan, I have compiled a chronological list below.

All Pool Games, day by day with time, location & pool
Times are in JST,  subtract 8 hours for Irish time.

Fri 20th Sep---Japan v Russia  7.45pm Tokyo   (A)

Sat 21st---- Australia v Fiji   1.45pm Sapporo   (D)
                France v Argentina   4.15pm  Tokyo      (C)
       New Zealand v Sth Africa 6.45pm Yokohama   (B)

Sun 22nd --- Italy v Namibia  2.15pm  Osaka     (B)
               IRELAND v Scotland  4.45pm Yokohama  (A)
                England   v Tonga   7.15pm   Sapporo   (C)

Mon 23rd ---  Wales v Georgia  7.15pm Toyota  (D)

Tues 24th -- Russia v Samoa 7.15pm Kumagaya  (A)

Weds 25th----  Fiji   v Uruguay 2.15pm Kamaishi  (D)

Thurs 26th --  Italy v Canada 4.45pm  Fukuoka  (B)
                         England v USA  7.45pm  Kobe   (C)

Sat 28th---  Argentina v Tonga  1.45pm  Osaka  (C)
                    Japan v IRELAND  4.15pm Shizuoka  (A)
                     S Africa v Namibia  6.45pm Toyota    (B)

Sun 29th---Georgia v Uruguay 2.15pm Kumagaya  (D)
                     Australia v Wales  4.45pm Tokyo   (D)

Mon 30th---  Scotland v Samoa 7.15pm Kobe (A)

Weds 2nd Oct--- France v USA  4.45pm Fukuoka  (C)
                  New Zealand v Canada 7.15pm Oita   (B)

Thurs 3rd--   Georgia v Fiji  2.15pm  Osaka   (D)
                   IRELAND v Russia 7.15pm Kobe  (A)

Fri  4th -- South Africa v Italy 6.45pm Shizuoka  (B)

Sat 5th --  Australia v Uruguay 2.15pm Oita    (D)
                England v Argentina  5.00pm  Tokyo   (C)
                   Japan v Samoa  7.30pm  Toyota   (A) 

Sun 6th -- New Zealand v Namibia 1.45pm Tokyo  (B)
                     France v Tonga  4.45pm Kumaamoto  (C)

Tues 8th--  Sth Africa v Canada 7.15pm  Kobe   (B) 

Weds 9th -- Argentina v USA 1.45pm Kumagaya  (C)
                  Scotland v Russa 4.15pm Shizuoka   (A)
                      Wales v Fiji    6.45pm   Oita    (D)

Fri  11th -- Australia v Georgia 7.15pm Shizuoka   (D)

Sat 12th-- New Zealand v Italy 1.45pm Toyota  (B)
                   England v France  5.15pm  Yokohama  (C)
                 IRELAND  v Samoa  7.45pm  Fukuoka  (A)

Sun 13th-- Namibia v Canada 12.15pm Kamaishi   (B)
                       USA v Tonga   2.45pm     Osaka       (C)
                 Wales v Uruguay  5.15pm Kumamoto   (D)
                 Japan  v Scotland  7.45pm  Yokohama   (A)

ALL THE ABOVE CHECKED ON WORLD CUP RUGBY  WEBSITE 
   www.rugbyworldcup.com
                   

''Ometenashi'' and ''Omatsuri'' , a promise of the most special of Japanese welcomes & experiences.

'Omotenashi' is all about offering the best service without the expectation of a reward. 
'Omatsuri' is the Japanese concept of festival, deeply bedded in their culture, from a traditional community celebration giving thanks for a rich harvest, good health, community harmony and respect for their ancestors.

''Stage set for a spectacular Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019 with 100 days to go.''
      https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/429916

Just over 3 months to go now.

I have added to some unfinished pages and updated some things. Recently found useful info is in process of being added as well. Here is the most comprehensive base link that I have found to date. In planning your own itinerary I think it is invaluable.
https://www.japan-guide.com/event/rugby2019/