The only new stadium being built for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium (also known as the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium) is an ode to the area’s rubgy history. The city was once home to one of the country’s most successful rugby teams – Nippon Steel Kamaishi. The club folded in 2001 and was replaced with Kamaishi Sea Waves, who played locally. Unfortunately the area suffered extensive damage in 2011, with over 1000 residents dead or missing. In 2014 the area decided to bid to host the World Cup and was granted an entire new stadium in an effort to revitalise the area. The train lines have been rebuilt to serve the area and the stadium opened with a memorial match in August 2018. The stadium is also going to be promoted in Japan’s bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
釜石鵜住居復興スタジアム
Dai 18 Chiwari-5-1 Unosumaicho, Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture 026-0301, Japan
