Rugby World Cup 2019 - A Crash Course in Making the Most of Toyota
Discover the Charms of One of Japan’s Most Underrated RWC Cities
Traditional culture, modern automobiles, and the timeless joys of cheering for your home country on the big screen; if you’re in Toyota city for the Rugby World Cup, come prepared for a massive day.
Morning
If you’re flying in from Tokyo, then you’ll need coffee and there’s no better place to fuel up than Matsuzakaya, one of the city’s premier department stores. As well as being home to a wide selection of excellent cafes and restaurants, many of the local food shops inside Matsuzakaya, will be hosting special exhibitions themed on the rugby with collected exhibits from Italy and NZ. If you don’t make it before you head out, then remember the spot to return to later before the match.
Next up, it’s time to head out to one of Toyota’s most historical attractions, Sanshu Asuke Yashiki, and the Asuke old townscape. The best way to get there is via bus from the city center.
Located a roughly one hour journey from the heart of Toyota, Sanshu Asuke Yashiki Village is a picturesque neighborhood of traditional Japanese-style houses, which these days house the stores and workshops of many of the area’s talented artisans. Many of the artisans in the area also run workshops inside the traditional homes, teaching classes covering all types of arts and crafts including indigo dying, washi paper crafts and bamboo basket weaving.
Like a well-preserved folk museum come to life, the townscape of Asuke is home to laid back local farmers, many of whom still use the same tools for crop cultivation as they used centuries ago. Wandering through this rustic, quaint homes is an ideal way to really immerse yourself in Japan’s regional history and witness first hand what it’s like to live off the land.
The area also produces a popular regional snack called ‘goheimochi’ a type of skewered rice cake typically covered in a soy, miso, or sesame-based sauce, it’s rather specific to the area so for a true taste of Aichi, be sure to try it out.
Walking distance from Sanshu Asuke Yashiki sits Korankei Gorge, a stunning natural valley that’s most popular in November when the autumn leaves transform into fiery shades of red and orange. The gorge, however, is stunning all year round, and if you’ve made it this far, it’s definitely worth a short detour. Once you’re done soaking up the natural beauty of Korankei Gorge, it’s time to hop back on that bus to get amongst all the action in Toyota city.
Afternoon
It’s fair to say as Toyota is most widely known for the automobiles the city manufacturers, in fact up until 1959, Toyota was a known as Koromo (??), but was retitled as a dedication to the Toyota Motor Corporation. If you’re interested in learning more about how this laid back city became the home to one of the biggest car brands in the world, make some time to visit the Toyota Kaikan Museum.
The museum is broken up into six different displays and each with their own theme exploring the many facets of the company’s products, philosophies, and history. Even if you’re not too interested in cars, you’ll find something to keep you entertained, whether it’s the free plant tour which runs from Monday to Friday, or the hands-on, interactive displays.
Given how far spread the attractions of Toyota are, it may be challenging to add a visit to Washi no Furusato to this one day run down; however, it’s well worth adding to your Toyota itinerary. The climate of the Toyota area is ideal for the cultivation of kozo (mulberries), which are a key component of Japanese ‘washi’ paper. Washi no Furusato is a gallery and craft center where you can learn all about these fascinating berries and how they came to shape the traditional arts of the area.
Evening
By now, the day will be well and truly ticking into the evening, so it’s time for some pre-game dinner. For something local, try miso katsu, which is a delectable combination of a fried pork cutlet (tonkatsu) smothered in a thick miso sauce, it’s a rich choice, but one you surely won’t regret. Chain restaurant Misokatsu Yabaton is one of the city’s best places to try the dish, as they’ve been perfecting the art of miso katsu for almost 70 years now. Yabaton actually inside the T-Face located right next to Matsuzakaya, so now is a perfect time to check out the earlier mentioned rugby museum right before visiting the Toyota RWC Fanzone.
The Toyota RWC Fanzone is your home of everything rugby, here you’ll find rugby-themed showcases, family-friendly activities, plenty of food and drinks, entertainment and unique regional attractions. Entry into all of the Fanzones across the country is free, and it’s an excellent place to soak up the atmosphere before the match, or even if you didn’t manage to get your hands on tickets.
Spend a little time here exploring the Fanzone in the afternoon before watching the game. The hours between 6:00 – 10 pm are strictly about the match except on Saturday the 12 October when New Zealand v Italy, this match happens in the afternoon (13:45 JST) so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule.
Night
When the game is all over, and you’re looking for somewhere to finish the night, head to Booby’s. This cheeky but charming, British pub is a hive of activity for all sports fanatics all year round, but especially so during the rugby season.
In celebration of the big event, Booby’s will extend their hours to the daytime too, so if you’re looking for somewhere to hang out before the games, this is the place to be.
Covered with sports memorabilia from across the globe, the pub hosts regular sports night events and is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the cup while knocking back a beer or two and getting to know your fellow sports fans.
As well as all your boozy British favorites, Booby’s also boasts an impressive international food menu which includes but isn’t limited to classic British pub grub – think fish and chips, as well as hamburgers, pizza, curries, pasta, and desserts.
The best place to stay when in town is close to the action, but you don’t want to sacrifice style for location, so if you want the best of both worlds, then stay at the traditional and luxurious ryokan, Sanage Onsen Kinsenkaku.
Located just north of Toyota Stadium, this laid back retreat has an onsite restaurant with both classic Japanese and American-style breakfasts available. An extra added bonus worth noting is that the onsen is super welcoming to foreign guests and the baths are tattoo friendly.
The easy option: Join a half day tour
If you’d rather leave the planning to the local experts, it’s worth mentioning that the Mikawa Branch Office of JTB run English friendly half-day bus tours of Toyota. Crafted especially for visitors coming to enjoy the RWC, the tour kicks off in Nagoya at 8:45am and takes guests to the Asuke area, and Toyota Kaikan Museum before wrapping up at Shin-Toyota Station at 3pm. For more info on prices and times, visit the website.
Rugby World Cup City Guide – Toyota
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments