Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture is the home ground of the Wild Knights and a 2019 Rugby World Cup venue.
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture 熊谷ラグビー場 熊谷 埼玉県
by Johannes Schonherr
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture
Unlike most of the other venues of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya, about 60 km north of Tokyo, has been intended and used exclusively for rugby matches since it was built in 1991.
The stadium is part of the large Kumagaya Sports & Culture Park which features also the multi-purpose Sai-no-Kuni Kumagaya Dome, two Track and Field Arenas as well as various outdoor sports areas.
The rugby part of the park, called the Kumagaya Rugby Ground, consists of the A Ground (the actual stadium) as well as the B and the C Grounds, the latter two being used for youth and amateur tournaments.
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture
Panasonic Wild Knights
The Kumagaya Rugby Stadium is the home of Japan Top League team Panasonic Wild Knights (founded in 1960 and until 2012 known as the Sanyo Wild Knights). As well, it is also the venue for the East Japan matches of the National High School Rugby Tournament. The Kumagaya Technical High School Team has provided the start for many top Japanese rugby players.
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya, Saitama
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Inclusion in the 2019 Rugby World Cup
In 2009 when Japan received confirmation that it was to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium was not on the original list of venues. It was considered too small and somewhat outdated.
Local sports enthusiasts felt very strongly about the issue, though, and pointed out the long history of rugby in Kumagaya and the strong feelings of the populace about the sport.
They started a campaign collecting signatures for the inclusion of Kumagaya into the World Cup all over Saitama Prefecture.
Within a short span of time, they collected more than 100,000 signatures which convinced the Japanese organization committee of the strong support for the sport in Kumagaya.
The original stadium, constructed in 1991 by the Shimizu Corporation (which also built, for example, the Aqua Line expressway connecting Yokohama with Chiba Prefecture via bridge and tunnel crossing Tokyo Bay) had a capacity of 24,000 spectators, partly sitting, partly standing.
From 2016 to 2018, the stadium was enlarged, the spectator stands were turned into seating only. The stadium can now accommodate 30,000 people to watch the rugby events unfolding on the field.
A number of Japan Top League matches have already taken place in the modernized and enlarged stadium in autumn 2018. Press reports indicate that the visiting public has been impressed with the refurbished stadium.
All female rugby youth match on the B Ground with the Rugby Stadium in the background
Rugby memorial stone outside the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Rugby Road
In preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the road leading from the North Exit of Kumagaya Station to the Kumagaya Sports & Culture Park was renamed "Rugby Road."
Businesses along the wide, straight road are encouraged to promote the World Cup by offering rest areas and information for visitors and generally turning the road into a rugby celebrating avenue.
The distance between Kumagaya Station and the Rugby Stadium is 3.5 km, almost an hour's walk. It would be easy to travel the way by bus but walking the road gives you a good feeling of the city the tournament is held in.
Rugby Road is a suburban road lined with Japanese and international chain restaurants of all kinds, ranging from coffee houses to conveyor belt style sushi to hamburger joints. English language menus are already standard at most of these businesses.
At a visit in February 2019, one shop, the Yawaraka sweets shop, had already its World Cup decoration out front, announcing that their Yawaraka White Chocolate has been approved as "Rugby World Cup 2019 Official Collection."
Expect many more such announcements as well as special discounts / promotional events at the time when the World Cup matches are held.
Kumagaya Station was already fully decked out with Rugby World Cup promotional flags and banners.
Buses running between Kumagaya Station and the Kumagaya Sports Park also already featured large-scale World Cup announcements.
Kumagaya City is clearly thrilled about the event and very proud to host it.
Kumagaya bus sporting Rugby World Cup promotion
Matches At Kumagaya Stadium
The stadium hosts the following games during the World Cup.
Russia v Samoa, Tuesday 24 September, kick off 7.15 pm.
Georgia v Uruguay, Sunday 29 September, kick off 2.15 pm.
Argentina v USA, Wednesday 9 October, kick off 1.45 pm.
Rugby Road sign next to a mural celebrating the traditional Kumagaya Uchiwa (paper fan) Festival
Access
Kumagaya Station can easily reached from Tokyo Station by traveling on the JR Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen. Travel time is 38 minutes and a seat reservation is required.
Traveling on the JR Takasaki Line is slower but cheaper. Seat reservation is not necessary. Travel time is 76 minutes from Tokyo Station.
All the trains mentioned above also make a stop at Ueno Station in Tokyo.
Kumagaya Station is also served by the Chichibu Railway, connecting Kumagaya with the scenic mountain town of Chichibu which in turn offers access to a large number of recreational areas within and close to the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park.
Bus: Take a bus from bus stop 3 outside the North Exit of Kumagaya Station bound for Kumagaya Sports Bunka Koen (Kumagaya Sports & Culture Park), Kumagaya Dome or Kuzuwada. Additional buses are provided for major sports events.
The bus ride is 210 yen one way. PASMO / SUICA cards are accepted. Bus stop announcements are in English.
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium Information
Address: Saitama Prefecture, Kumagaya City, 300 Kamikawakami
Tel: 048 526 2004
Website: www.parks.or.jp/kumagaya/information/rugby-stadium.html
In Japanese at the time of writing. Detailed access information is provided in English.
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture
