The Rugby World Cup for 2019 will kick off in less than 10 days, and the world's teams such as Wallabies and All Blacks have already arrived in Japan. They arrived amid a typhoon, but the Japanese people have welcome teams with open arms, sometimes in extravagant fashion.
The Rugby World Cup has never been held in Asia before, so Japan is thrilled to host the world's best players from 19 nations for the first time in history.
There are 55 team camps across the nation, all consist of training facilities and accommodation. Teams will be based in these camps throughout the tournament and each host city has made tremendous efforts to welcome each team.
Australia's Wallabies arrived in Japan on September 10, and were greeted by many Japanese fans wearing Australian uniforms and holding national flags welcomed them at the airport.
One of the Wallabies' team camps is in Odawara, Kanagawa prefecture. To welcome the team, Japanese train company Odakyu is operating a special Romancecar express service offering Crown Lager and Yellowtail wines, while the local udon noodle shop, Hakone Soba is selling Udon dish using Aussie beef.
The All Blacks arrived in Japan on Monday, and the winner of 2015 Rugby World Cup was greeted by fans in Kashiwa, Chiba prefecture. At the welcome ceremony, local Japanese children performed a haka.
This video went viral on twitter, with many outside Japan praising such a unique warm welcome by Japanese children.
The team also released a special video to say "San Kyu (Thank you)" to Japan for its hospitality and looking after the team. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears in the video to express her gratitude and support.
The Welsh team will be hosted by Kokura, Kita-Kyushu, and Welsh dragons are flying around the town while local buses are covered in red paint, reflecting the team colour. Staff at local council are even practicing singing the Welsh anthem.
Furthermore, Kokura castle will be lit red from 11th till 15th of September at night.
South Africa's Springboks, who beat Japan 41-7 before the World Cup, is now in Kagoshima prefecture. According to NHK, 5000 spectators gathered in Shiranami Stadium on Monday to watch the Springboks at an open practice session.
Scotland, who is part of Pool A were greeted by Japanese people in Nagasaki.
Japan will face Russia in the opening game on the September 20 while Australia's first game will be against Fiji on the September 21.
