This lethal dish favoured by elderly businessmen but shunned by women, the young, the elderly and the sane is one cultural experience that is best avoided. As with Niigata FIFA have conspired to send Ireland into the wilderness…..but at least this wilderness is accessible.

Located about one and a half or two hours east of Tokyo Ibaraki is a medium sized city in Japanese terms that is located on the picturesque (remote) Pacific coast. The area is something of a soccer hotbed in Japan with its most famous team Kashima Antlers having carried off its second consecutive J-league title in December. Mito Hollyhock who also hail from Ibaraki seem content for the most part to fumble around in the lower regions of J-2. Having seen them play on several occasions against my beloved Kyoto Purple Sanga I can testify that a few kickabouts at home in Ireland will be all you need for you to make a serious attempt at breaking into the first eleven once you arrive in Japan. Antlers are a different proposition and indeed several members of the club are part of the Japanese national team including the teen idol Yangisawa. They are an exciting team to watch if only for the antics of their boss the ex-Brazilian world cup defender Tonio Cerezo.

Indeed the football crazy populace Ibaraki prefecture have been well rewarded with three great first round games to look forward to. The Ireland -v- Germany game on June 5th is sandwiched between England/Nigeria on June 2nd and Italy/Croatia on June 8th. The person you see now walking around with the big smug grin on their face is the one who chose a venue specific ticket for Ibaraki. Getting to and from Ibaraki should be no problem. Train services are regular and frequent. (for people who may wonder why I only mention trains and never busses let me say that the train service in Japan is fast, ultra reliable and easy to negotiate and just as cheap as the bus service which is none of the above). Cost to the city and back should be in the region of 700-1000 yen.