Giant Rugby Ball graces downtown Tokyo
Tourism New Zealand’s giant rugby ball is making another guest appearance at a famous world landmark, this time below the Tokyo Tower, as part of a game plan to promote Rugby World Cup 2011.
The ball has been erected in downtown Tokyo next to the iconic tower which draws crowds of around 10,000 a day and 3.2 million tourists a year.
See the final touches being put on the ball in Tokyo
Timed to coincide with the All Black’s Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies - the first to be played outside New Zealand - the ball’s promotional visit will last seven days from 28 October to 3 November.
As well as promoting New Zealand and rugby, the ball’s Tokyo visit coincides with two major business and diplomatic events - The Japan-New Zealand Business Council and The Japan-New Zealand Partnership Forum.
The unique venue will be used to host government and business meetings and a range of functions showcasing New Zealand’s produce, food, wine, business, education, tourism and immigration opportunities.
Maori cultural performances by the Te Arawa touring group will be staged outside enticing visitors in to experience the free, 10-minute, 360-degree virtual tour of New Zealand which begins with Tana Umaga kicking a ball that bounces around the country. Visitors will be eligible to go into a draw to win return flights to NZ.
Official proceedings at the ball opening will include a blessing and tape cutting ceremony involving a number of dignitaries including Mr Hisao Inaba, chief priest of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
The Shrine is a World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction - one of the major features being a sacred white horse from New Zealand. The history of the horse and continued tradition surrounding its significance has provided a strong bond between the two nations.
Mr Shin Maeda, the CEO of the Tokyo Tower, actress Beverly Maeda who promotes New Zealand as a holiday destination to the Japanese market, Mr Shintaro Ishihara the Governor of Tokyo, Mr Noboru Mashimo the vice president of Japan’s Rugby Football Union, well known Japanese actor and rugby far Hiroshi Tachi and former New Zealand All Black John Kirwan who now coaches Japan’s national rugby team - will attend the blessing ceremony and cut the tape to officially declare the ball open.
This will be the giant rugby ball’s third appearance - the first was in 2007 at the Rugby World Cup in Paris when it enjoyed a prime spot beneath the Eiffel Tower and was visited by more than 26,000 people in 14 days.
The ball was used as a promotional venue again in London during the All Black’s tour of Britain and Ireland last year and attracted major attention with media and the public.
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