This July, the Welsh rugby team will travel to Japan to compete in a two-test series, announced as part of the Japan Rugby Football Union's (JRFU) 2025 domestic match schedule. The action begins on July 5 at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, a venue that resonates with the Welsh team due to its role as their 2019 Rugby World Cup training camp base. The second test match takes place on July 12 at Noevir Stadium Kobe.
Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms view this series as a crucial test in their preparations for future international competitions. For Wales, returning to Kitakyushu brings back memories of the strong local support they enjoyed during the World Cup, adding a layer of sentimental value to the matches. Kitakyushu was ‘a home away from home’ for the Welsh Rugby Union, as the city turned red (quite literally in the case of the castle!) for Wales during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Since then, the relationship has flourished, from twinning primary and secondary schools in Japan with those in Wales, to training coaches and referees in Kitakyushu.
The Japanese rugby season is filled with high-profile fixtures beyond the Wales series. It starts with a match against the New Zealand Maori on June 28 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, and includes their participation in the Pacific Nations Cup, hosting Canada at Yurtec Stadium Sendai on August 30. The busy schedule concludes with a test match against Australia on October 25 at Tokyo’s National Stadium, pitting Japan against Jones' former team, the Wallabies.
This summer's lineup enriches the rugby calendar, giving fans multiple opportunities to see the Brave Blossoms compete against some of the world's top rugby nations.