Below are some of the more common questions we are asked. We hope the answers provided here may be of help to you. If you have further inquiries, please visit our Contact Us page.
How do I join the Crusaders?
First of all, thank you! We can’t wait to have you in the Cru and on the pitch. Please email us at join@tokyocrusaders.com and we’ll get in touch with you right away.
Where is your ground? I can’t find mention of it on the website…
That’s because we don’t have a ground. Very few amateur clubs in Japan have their own ground, and those that do are not located in Tokyo. Social rugby in the Tokyo area is played on a variety of municipal pitches in the Tokyo/Saitama/Chiba/Kanagawa area, all of which are in high demand due to limited space. So, the location of “our ground” can vary from week to week.
Can I visit your clubhouse?
Well, you could if we had one. The rugby scene in Japan is quite different from what you may be used to in the UK, New Zealand, Australia or perhaps anywhere else in the world. An amateur rugby club having its own clubhouse is an almost unheard-of thing. The expat rugby teams here in Japan generaly just find a pub or restaurant near the ground of the day and make merriment wherever that may be. So, although you can’t visit our clubhouse you are quite welcome to join us in our post-match festivities any time.
Can I come train with the Crusaders?
You certainly can. Training sessions in Japan tend to work a bit differently than the rest of the world, though. Because no amateur clubs in Tokyo have their own ground, they are forced to book one of several municipal grounds throughout the city to use for matches and training. However, because demand for grounds is so high it’s very difficult to consistently reserve a specific time and place to use for training. With that being said we try to hold a regular training session on Tuesday nights at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park at 7pm.
Can your club offer me a contract?
In a word, “No”. Tokyo Crusaders is an amateur, social rugby club and is therefore unable to offer any financial incentives to its members. If you are already living and working in Japan, plan to do so, or are just passing through, you are most welcome to be part of our club.
How much does it cost to be a member?
Our season runs from September to June. If you join the club between September and December, our dues are ¥15,000, which entitles you to club:
Shorts
Socks
Warmup Shirt
Polo Shirt
AND JRFU registration and additional sports insurance. Your dues also help us pay for ground fees, referee transportation, league fees and competition fees, to name just a few. If you join the club after December the fee is ¥10,000 and entitles you to the same as above. In addition to these fees, we charge ¥1,000 for each match in which you are on the pitch for more than a quarter.
Where can I buy rugby gear in Tokyo?
The first place you should check is Amazon. This would be the best way to avoid trecking about town. They even have mutant-size boots available, much to the benefit of many of our members. If you do want to visit a brick-and-mortar shop, however, the below locations sell rugby gear. Bear in mind that shoes larger than 27cm (US 10, UK 9½) may be difficult to come by.
Canterbury of New Zealand
Address: 〒107-0061 Tōkyō-to Minato-ku Kitaaoyama 2-chōme-7-28
(in Japanese): 〒107-0061 東京都港区北青山2丁目7-28
Telephone: 03-5411-5005
Nearest Station: Gaienmae (Ginza Line)
Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:30 to 20:00
Sundays/Holidays 10:30 to 19:00
website: https://www.goldwin.co.jp/canterbury/
B&D Sports Ueno
Address: 〒110-0015 Tōkyō-to Taitō-ku Higashiueno 3-chōme−18−7 Ueno Eki-mae Bldg. 1F
(in Japanese): 〒110-0015 東京都台東区東上野3丁目18−7 上野駅前ビル1F
Telephone: 03-3836-5561
Nearest Station: Ueno (JR, Metro Ginza Line, Metro Hibiya Line)
Business Hours: Every day 10:00 to 20:00
website: https://www.bnd.co.jp/itemtop/rugby
Suzuki Rugby
Address: 〒151-0053 Tōkyō-to Shibuya-ku Yoyogi 1-chōme−36−6 Yoyogi Eki-mae Bldg. 2F
(in Japanese): 〒151-0053 東京都渋谷区代々木1丁目36−6 代々木駅前ビル2階
Telephone: 03-3370-8103
Nearest Station: Yoyogi (JR, Metro Chiyoda Line)
Business Hours: Every day 11:00 to 19:00
website: http://www.suzukirugby.com/main.html