The Rugby World Cup will be held in Japan in 2019. The draw for the group stage is held two years in advance, and it is customary for it to be held in Ireland or England. However, I requested that the draw be held in Japan, and for the first time, they broke with precedent and held the draw in Kyoto, Japan.
On May 10th, 2017, prior to the raffle at the Kyoto State Guest House, the guests were given the opportunity to watch a kemari game at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site, introducing them to ancient Japanese ball games and Japanese culture. Furthermore, we were able to convey to rugby players from around the world that Tadasu-no-Mori Forest at Shimogamo Shrine is the "first kicking ground" of Kansai rugby.
In the autumn of the same year, Sawata Shrine, which enshrines Kamitamami, the god of rugby, as if to watch over the "first kick site," was rebuilt and a solemn enshrinement ceremony was held.

The World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine Rugby First Kick Site Commemoration Association was launched to commemorate the history and traditions of this "First Kick Site," as well as to promote healthy development in the shrine forest through rugby, in the hope of contributing to the development and improvement of rugby in Japan.

We believe that the projects we carry out will not only liven up the rugby world as a whole, but will also help young people to gain a proper understanding of traditional Japanese culture through shrines, which will lead to the future development of the rugby world and Japanese culture. We ask for your understanding and support.