Japan has a handful of places rugby fans consider sacred ground, and Sugadaira Kogen in Nagano Prefecture is one of the best known. Every July and August, this small highland town — a ski resort in winter — fills up with rugby players of every age doing summer training camps, drawn by a tradition that goes back nearly a century.
What makes it worth visiting even for non-rugby fans is the climate. While major Japanese cities swelter through summer heat, Sugadaira’s elevation keeps temperatures noticeably cooler and far more comfortable, making it a legitimate day trip or overnight escape during the hottest months.
It’s reachable from Tokyo by shinkansen and bus, or by car with a scenic route through some well-known towns along the way — close enough for a short trip, remote enough to feel like real mountain air.
Want the exact travel times, field count, and why this tiny town became Japan’s rugby training capital? Read the complete guide on [ Medium →]
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