Japan is exciting, charming and a real feast for the senses for visitors of any age and Rydal Penrhos embarked on the trip of a lifetime to the Land of the Rising Sun during December.

Over 12 days, 24 players took on Japan’s finest high schools in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto and Osaka, led by Director of Sport, Allen Boyd. The aim of going to Japan with MSG was to take their students out of their comfort zones and expand their sporting and cultural horizons. The group were extremely excited to travel around this fascinating country and play against the very best of Japanese schoolboy rugby and the tour did not disappoint.

After an opening weekend in Tokyo featuring baseball, Tsukiji Fish Market, Shibuya and Ueno Park the tour headed south to Sagamihara in the Kanagawa Prefecture for two days’ billeting and an opening tour fixture. Their itinerary included everything you could possibly want and imagine including attending a Judo and Language class and taking the Bullet train to Kyoto amongst other things. Visiting Fushimi Inari Taish and having a guided tour of Tori Shine before heading to Kyoto Kogakuin High School for a language class and rugby match was an unforgettable day.

The cultural highlights and once in a lifetime experiences did not stop there as pupils had the chance to attend a traditional tea ceremony at Tokai University Gyosei High School before wrapping up their incredible tour at a Rugby carnival and match against Tokai University Gyosei High School.

The Japanese are renowned for their politeness, but it goes deeper than that: they are genuinely interested in people from other countries and as Rydal Penhros discovered they are the most hospitable and endearing hosts and created experiences that these boys will never ever forget.