Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2010

By the time you read this, the World Cup will be in full swing—and not just in South Africa, but also in sunny Harajuku, right in the backyard of national broadcaster NHK.

We should explain: the Harajuku/Yoyogi nexus is currently home to a splendid outdoor-viewing complex with a jumbotron screen at its heart for showing all Japan’s matches.

The presence of a mini soccer pitch—no, I’m not calling it futsal, OK?—and a 10m statue of Ryoma Sakamoto in a team-strip kimono can surely only add to the fun.

And, if you’re reading this hot off the press on Metropolis Friday (what, you don’t call it that?), then the next game is tomorrow night’s matchup with Holland.

Still, you’d best hurry if you intend to catch the big screen action and party atmosphere: organizers say the facility will be in place only “until we’re eliminated from the tournament.” Not long now, then…

http://meturl.com/samuraiblue