Hanazono Rugby Stadium

The Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiōsaka sits on a site that was once a racecourse, but it holds a different kind of history. It is the spiritual home of rugby in Japan and the country's first sports facility specifically designated for the sport. This is not a modern build designed for football; it is a place that has lived through the sport's development since it opened in 1929. The stadium fell silent for a time during the war when it was renamed a training field, but it returned to its roots after 1945.

The most striking feature is the North Stand. The renovation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup brought this screen and 381 new LED floodlights, ensuring the venue meets international broadcast standards. The capacity was adjusted to 27,346 after these changes.

The pitch itself is natural grass. It has hosted the annual All-Japan High School Rugby Football Tournament since 1963. It also held four pool stage matches during the 2019 World Cup, including the clash between Italy and Namibia. The stadium is now owned by the City of Higashiōsaka, a change that came in 2015 after the Kintetsu Group operated it for decades.