The Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan is now in full swing and it is AWESOME! We have attended five matches over the past two weeks and each one keeps getting better and better. The playing is intense, the crowd enjoyable and the host country doing a great job. The first match we attended we did not take our 7-year-old, but soon realized that these matches are quite child-friendly, minus the occasional F-bombs some fans like to express. If you can not get to a match, it is super fun to take your kids to the free Fan Zones arounds Japan. Tokyo Fan Zone is in Marunouchi.
Checkout all the other fun family activities happening in Tokyo in 2019 October
Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan – Tips to Attending RWC with Kids
1. Lap kids – typically kids under three years can enter the stadiums without a ticket. Seating is tight and many folks are juggling drinks so don’t expect too much space.
2. Don’t bring big bags or bags that can’t get wet, the seating area floor has been covered with spilled drinks, so take only what you can hold.
3. There is NO room for a stroller – you can chance it, but the crowds at Yokohama Stadium, Tokyo Stadium and Nagoya Stadium have been standing room only in and out.
3. Buy Match tickets, if you can, when it’s not your kids nap time. I think the 4 pm games are the best spot, and sleep on the way home.
4. Plan to get to the stadium about two hours before. All stadiums allow you to enter 3 hours before, but that would be a long wait inside. Enjoy all fans singing, costumes and fun outside the stadium before you rush in.
5. If you are taking the train home, buy your return tickets earlier in the day. Makes for a much more relaxing ride home.
6. The foods at all the stadiums have been traditional Japanese stadium/festival food – hotdogs, yakisoba, chips. The first few games people were not allowed to bring food in, but enough folks complained so now you can bring your food in. No beverages are permitted – the exception is small bottles of kids drinks.
7. The bathroom lines are long due to high beverage consumption. Don’t wait for “I have to pee now.” Plan before the game, right before half-time and after.
8. The exit time has been a madhouse at all matches I have attended. Instead of trying to rush out. Sit in the stadium 30-45 mins and let the crowds depart. 
9. Outside the stadiums, there have been multiple vendors selling various team wear and goods. The best spot outside Tokyo Stadium is Xebio sports shop where you can buy all the products, get free face stickers if you purchase something and also has a lovely bathroom on the fourth floor. In case you want to buy before the game you can also get at Amazon.co. jp. Here are our recommended products.
10. Don’t forget the following items since most stadiums are open-air: sunscreen, hats (for the sun), protective earphones (if you have a sensitive child), rain poncho.
If you have not secured tickets yet, try Viagogo that has a good selection. Note you will pay about 20-30% service charge on top of the ticket price.
Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan
– Tips to Attending RWC with Kids
