Friday 2oth September
Well, I had a very good journey ---- better than I expected, and managed to navigate my way to my hotel. After checking in, etc., I headed out in the local neighborhood (Otsuka) to get a bite to eat and find somewhere with a TV showing Japan v Russia. I got first half in a local grill type place, while experiencing some typical everyday Japanese food. The food was very different in flavour and texture to anything I have ever experienced. Takes a bit of getting used to. I ate it all anyway---- not that I ordered much! Headed back to hotel room, and found channel on Japanese TV to watch 2nd half. An entertaining match for Japanese people to watch. Referee, Nigel Owens, let a lot go for much of first half. Otherwise he would have been blowing every few seconds, the Russians did not seem to have a clue. Japan survived the Russian bluster and went on to win quite easily. Fell asleep before the end.
Saturday 21st Sept.
Awoke at 4am , as bright as a button after only about 5 or 6 hours sleep, so started to organise my wi fi, internet, phone sim, etc. Then headed downstairs for coffee before researching and refreshing my memory as to local info,travel etc.. Then headed out for breakfast at a local cafe restaurant type place. Had a very tasty Japanese small breakfast set, consisting of a coffee and a sort of ham and egg muffin with a sauce inside. Then headed to Shinjuku Gyoen [garden] for a stroll and a lemonade. before finding the Irish owned pub, An Solas. Met the boss, William from Tipperary, there and his lovely japanese wife. Met up with a few fellow weary Irish travellers and a few Irish Aussies, origanally from Fethard & Mullinahone , who were very interesting, seasoned, international, Irish sports travellers, for last 20 years at least!
We settled down to watch the Kiwis v Springboks match and stayed until late. I do not know how I managed to find my way back to hotel, but fell into bed straight away.
Sunday 22nd Sept.
Woke around 6.30am-- went back to sleep until about 8.15.
Struggled to get going, but after a few cups of tea,I started planning my route to the stadium. One hour spent online was time well spent, saved a lot of walking around station in bewilderment. Took me about 55 mins to get from hotel to station near stadium. I found complex of different eateries on 7th floor of the BIC [camera] building in station plaza. Paid about 15 euro for 90mins in 'all you can eat buffet'. Litterally people can pig out on every delicassy they want for 90 minutes. I only stayed about 45 minutes. I hadn't a clue what I was eating! Suitably refreshed, I joined the happy throng walking to stadium. What an experiece awaited! -------
Ireland v Scotland
It was obvious that about at least 30% of spectators were dressed in green. We came from the 4 corners of the globe, to use an Irish expression. Asia, Australasia, America and Europe. And many Japanese dressed up in the green too.
Travelling from Tokyo to the ground was simple and uncongested enough. The stadium was very impressive and the approaches well organised. I was content to have missed out on some of the pre match entertainment, having partook of an all you can eat brunch on the 9th floor of the BIC Shopping Tower at Shin-Yokahoma station complex.
It was an amazing gastronomic experience with delicacies from all over Japan, presented in a most beautiful way. The customer can literally eat as much as he wants within 90 minutes. I only stayed 50 minutes. My stomach was well lined for all the beer that followed,though i was not brave enough to try most of the unknown food. Still it was well worth the fourteen euro.
Travelling from Tokyo to the ground was simple and uncongested enough. The stadium was very impressive and the approaches well organised. I was content to have missed out on some of the pre match entertainment, having partook of an all you can eat brunch on the 9th floor of the BIC Shopping Tower at Shin-Yokahoma station complex.
It was an amazing gastronomic experience with delicacies from all over Japan, presented in a most beautiful way. The customer can literally eat as much as he wants within 90 minutes. I only stayed 50 minutes. My stomach was well lined for all the beer that followed,though i was not brave enough to try most of the unknown food. Still it was well worth the fourteen euro.
Suitably fortified, I joined the throng on the crawl up the hill to the stadium. After a a delay of only a matter of a minute to get through security we entered the vast plaza, awash with colour, bands and dancers. I stood on the outside steps to my gate entrance to take snaps of the plaza below.
My seat was quite good being at mid level over the corner flag, among a good sized group of jovial Irish fans. The vocal support, waving and good humour was amazing to experience so far away from home.
After the match the players showed their appreciation by walking in line to the Irish spectators and doing a Japanese style bow. Scotland were not at the races at all which was a shame, and Ireland just stuck in economy gear. The warning signs were there that Ireland seem to have one plan for all matches--- the energy sapping,short, narrow, multi phase play by the forwards & backs. There was no adventure to try a more expansive game, even when Ireland were comfortably in charge. But at least they took good advantage of a strangely competitive Scotland, by getting the bonus point.
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