Brave Blossoms to Host Canada in Niigata
The Japan Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce that international test match rugby will return to Niigata for the first time in 18 years when the Brave Blossoms host Canada on Saturday, September 5 at Denka Big Swan Stadium, in the heart of Niigata City.
Famous throughout Japan for the quality of its rice harvest and known internationally as a world-class winter sports destination, Niigata sits 320 kilometres north of Tokyo, on the west coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu. Having last watched Japan take on Hong Kong in the 2008 Asia Five Nations tournament, local rugby fans will be delighted by the prospect of seeing the Brave Blossoms turn out once again in their town after such a long break.
Japan and Canada have a long rivalry dating back to their first meeting in Vancouver in 1930. Since then, they’ve faced each other on 33 occasions, with Japan holding the bragging rights with 19 wins, 10 losses and 4 draws. Interestingly, two of their drawn matches took place during their two Rugby World Cup meetings in 2007 in France, and 2011 in New Zealand. During their last meeting in Sendai, Japan ran out comfortable winners, 57- 15.
Having last lost to Canada back in 2005, Japan will be looking to continue their dominance, while Canada will no doubt be looking to put in a strong performance as they continue building ahead of RWC2027. No matter which team triumphs on the day, the local rugby fans of Niigata and its surrounding areas will be delighted to once again welcome test match rugby back to the region.
Further details regarding match kick-off time, ticketing and broadcast information will be announced in due course.
Japan vs Canada Historic Math Results
33 games, 19 wins, 10 losses, 4 draws
30 August 2025: 57-15 (W) Sendai
25 August 2024: 28-55 (W) Vancouver, Canada
11 June 2016: 22-26 (W) Vancouver, Canada
18 July 2015: 20-6 (W) San Jose, USA
7 June 2014: 25-34 (W) Burnaby, Canada
19 June 2013: 16-13 (W) Toyota City
27 September 2011: 23-23 (D) Napier, New Zealand (RWC)
21 November 2009: 27-6 (W) Tokyo
15 November 2009: 46-8 (W) Miyagi
25 September 2007: 12-12 (D) Bordeaux, France (RWC)
29 May 2005: 10-15 (L) Tokyo
30 May 2004: 34-21 (W) Tokyo
8 July 2001: 39-7 (W) Tokyo
15 July 2000: 62-18 (L) Toronto
1 May 1999: 23-21 (W) Tokyo, Japan
20 June 1998: 25-34 (L) Vancouver, Canada
3 May 1998: 22-30 (L) Tokyo
14 June 1997: 42-18 (L) Vancouver, Canada
18 May 1997: 32-31 (W) Tokyo
13 July 1996: 51-30 (L) Vancouver, Canada
9 June 1996: 18-45 (L) Tokyo
11 May 1991: 49-26 (L) Vancouver, Canada
7 June 1986: 21-26 (W) Burnaby, Canada
18 April 1982: 16-6 (W) Tokyo
11 April 1982: 24-18 (W) Higashi-Osaka
12 May 1976: 38-7 (L) Burnaby, Canada
22 March 1970: 32-3 (W) Tokyo
13 April 1963: 6-33 (W) Vancouver, Canada
22 March 1959: 11-11 (D) Tokyo
15 March 1959: 17-21 (L) Osaka
11 February 1932: 38-5 (W) Tokyo
31 January 1932: 9-8 (W) Osaka
24 September 1930: 3-3 (D) Vancouver, Canada