Tokyo Mini Break

For a pre-season mini break, I went to Tokyo to watch the final of the Bledisloe Cup – a tournament between New Zealand and Australia. The final was held in Tokyo to promote rugby and build hype for the rugby world cup that will be held in Japan 2011.

Although not really any kind of sports fan, I do enjoy live sport matches and the Bledisloe cup was no exception. A nearly full stadium of a mixture of Japanese and gai-jins. One of the guys I was with, John, managed to rally up enough support to begin a Mexican wave around the stadium. To be fair, the first attempt wasn’t that good, but it got better, with one making it’s way all around the stadium.

Outside the stadium all five of us purchased what was probably fake rugby strips for a very reasonable price. I did buy a Kiwi shirt for the practicality of use after the game. A black polo shirt I can use while I work out, a bright yellow one isn’t so useable outside of Australian events.

After the game we all headed to Shinjuku for an izakaiya dinner and more drinking, to carry on the Kiwi theme, I discovered a kiwi sour with real kiwi’s in the drink – yummy.

Rest of the Tokyo trip was really fun, shopping, Cold Stone, high tea at The Peninsula and a seven story, women’s only Uni Qlo.

Returning to Hirafu on Tuesday I was greeted to a very white landscape. While I was away it snowed for basically the whole weekend. It has since melted in the warm weather we’ve had this week. A great semi start to the season none the less.

Tokyo Halloween 09