The World Cup is back! And this year, it's taking place in the USA. Japan has qualified and has a good chance of enhancing their growing reputation as a footballing nation (or soccer-loving nation if you're in the US). Whether you're a fan of the samurai blue team or not, when Japan is playing, you are going to want to be somewhere with a screen, a cold drink, and people who care as much as you do.
The best part? Tokyo and Osaka are two of the best cities in the world for exactly this. Both have deep, established British and Irish pub cultures, both have pub chains with dozens of branches near major stations, and both are about to be at their best for the 2026 World Cup. Let's take a look together.
The slightly trickier news: Japan’s 2026 group stage kickoff times are unusual — 5:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 8:00 AM Tokyo time. That means for two of the three games, you’re either staying out very late or getting up very early. The venues below are built for exactly this. Several open specifically for early kickoffs during major tournaments, some take reservations and some don’t, and a few have minimum spends to keep the lights on at 5 AM. Here’s what to expect at each — and how to get there, all reachable by Japan's world-leading rail network and the Japan Rail Pass.
Special update: You can now buy single rail tickets for Japan’s Golden Route on JRPass.com - single fares, one-way, fully digital, including the bullet train.
Tokyo: Where to Watch
Tokyo’s sports pub scene is concentrated in Ebisu, Shibuya, Roppongi, Shinjuku, and around Tokyo Station — all well connected by JR and the subway, and all confirmed to screen the full World Cup schedule, including Japan’s early-morning matches.
Footnik (Ebisu)
Footnik is the elder statesman of Tokyo’s football pub scene — founded in Takadanobaba in 1996 on the opening day of that summer’s Euro '96, with the Ebisu branch open since 2001. In 2026 it celebrates its 30th anniversary, with its own BEERNiK craft beer (brewed in-house since 2024) alongside an international beer list and proper British food: bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, and fish and chips good enough to be recognised by the UK’s National Federation of Fish Friers.
Ebisu (pictured above) is is a trendy and laid-back neighborhood located in the Shibuya ward of central Tokyo.
For the tournament, Footnik is showing the full schedule, including the 5 AM and 8 AM Japan matches — it will be open for these. Given its reputation, reserving ahead is strongly recommended: Footnik runs a “Promise Seat” system specifically so you can book a table in advance and not worry about finding space at an odd hour. There's no published minimum spend, but arriving with an empty stomach is the right call — the kitchen runs through the early fixtures.
Location | Ebisu — 3 min from JR Ebisu Station
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes — showing the full schedule including 5 AM/8 AM Japan matches
Reservations | Recommended — “Promise Seat” booking system
Minimum spend | None published, but expect a full menu running during early matches
Hobgoblin (Shibuya & Roppongi)
Hobgoblin’s Shibuya and Roppongi locations have confirmed live screenings and rebroadcasts of every match in the tournament — so even if a 5 AM kickoff isn’t realistic, there’s a way to catch the game later the same day. Roppongi in particular has a reputation as one of the more atmospheric tournament venues in the city.
Entry for live screenings is a flat ¥3,000, which includes two drink tickets — effectively a cover charge that pre-pays your first two rounds, which works well for an early start. This is the closest thing to a fixed minimum spend on this list, but it’s built into the ticket rather than charged separately. Booking ahead for Japan’s matches is advised given the format and the likely crowd.
Locations | Shibuya and Roppongi
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes — live screenings + rebroadcasts of every match
Reservations | Advised for Japan’s matches
Entry / minimum spend | ¥3,000 flat entry, includes 2 drink tickets
HUB (Multiple Locations)
HUB is Tokyo’s most reliable sports-pub fallback — founded in 1980, with 46 branches in Tokyo alone across Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, and dozens of other neighbourhoods near major stations. HUB has confirmed it will screen every World Cup match live, including the early-morning fixtures, with select branches staying open later than usual for major games. For 2026, HUB is running an official FIFA World Cup public viewing programme presented by DAZN.
No cover charge and no minimum spend — what’s on the menu is the final price. HUB doesn’t take reservations, so for a popular Japan match, arriving with some time before kickoff is the safest bet, especially since with 46 locations across the city there is almost always another branch nearby if one fills up. One quirk: HUB uses a “cash on delivery” system — you pay for each drink as you order it at the bar, not at the end of the night.
Locations | Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi + dozens more (46 in Tokyo)
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes — all matches live, select branches stay open later for major games
Reservations | Not taken — arrive early for popular matches
Minimum spend | None — no cover charge, menu price is final
Irish Pub Celts (Yaesu / Nihonbashi)
Celts offers a low-key Irish pub experience near Tokyo Station — dependable sports coverage and a relaxed, mixed crowd rather than a packed tournament venue. There are two locations five minutes apart, with a HUB conveniently positioned between them, so a group that can’t agree on one spot has options within a short walk.
As a smaller, more local venue, Celts doesn’t have the same formal World Cup packages as the larger chains — no confirmed cover charge or minimum spend, and reservations aren’t generally required. Its real advantage is location: whichever direction you’re heading after the match, Tokyo Station’s connections are about as good as it gets.
Locations | Two branches, Yaesu/Nihonbashi, 5 minutes apart — with a HUB in between
Open for early kickoffs? | Standard sports coverage — check ahead for confirmation on specific early fixtures
Reservations | Not generally required
Minimum spend | None confirmed
Whichever spot you choose — Ebisu, Shibuya, Roppongi, or Yaesu — all are directly reachable by JR from anywhere on the Yamanote Line, and all sit within a short walk of a JR station for your onward journey.
Osaka: Where to Watch
Osaka’s pub scene clusters around Dotonbori, the neon heart of Namba’s nightlife, and Umeda, the business and transport hub around Osaka Station. Between them, plus the wider HUB network, Osaka is extremely well covered — with one genuinely spectacular bonus option for Japan’s matches specifically.
Dublin Bay (Dotonbori)
A classic Irish pub in the heart of Dotonbori, with Guinness on tap, fish and chips, and the kind of well-worn character that long-running Irish pubs develop over time. It opens daily at 3:00 PM and, on big match nights, tends to stay open well past its advertised closing time — useful for late kickoffs that run into extra time.
The one thing to know: Dublin Bay does not take bookings, and has no minimum spend. For a venue this central during a World Cup, that means arriving early isn’t a suggestion — it’s the entire strategy, especially for an evening kickoff.
Address | Zelkova Bldg B1F, 2-1-5 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Open for early kickoffs? | Opens 3 PM — best suited to afternoon/evening matches, often stays open later
Reservations | Not taken — arrive early on big match nights
Minimum spend | None
Coolabah (Dotonbori area)
An Australian pub with a loyal local expat following, known for homemade meat pies and sausage rolls — the natural gathering point for Socceroos fans, and a dependable option for AFL, rugby, and international football generally. For the tournament, Coolabah will open from noon on weekends to show games; check their Instagram ahead of time, since hours shift around specific fixtures.
Games here require a minimum order, which can be pre-booked or paid on arrival — standard practice for a venue opening outside normal hours specifically for an early kickoff, and effectively the trade-off for guaranteeing the place is open when you need it.
Area | Dotonbori
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes, on weekends — opens from noon for games; check Instagram for exact schedule
Reservations | Pre-booking the minimum order effectively secures your spot
Minimum spend | Yes — minimum order required, pre-booked or paid on arrival
The Blarney Stone (Osaka Station, Umeda, Shinsaibashi)
A long-running Irish pub mini-chain with three Osaka locations, and probably the single most useful option here if early kickoffs don’t work for you. The café-style pub by Osaka Station opens at 11:00 AM and shows all group stage games within its opening hours, including both of the tournament’s 10:00 AM kickoff slots.
More importantly: all three locations — Osaka Station, Umeda, and Shinsaibashi — repeat every group stage match at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. No reservations are needed and no minimum spend applies; if you missed the 5 AM live broadcast, this is where you watch it again with dinner at a normal hour.
Locations | Osaka Station, Umeda, Shinsaibashi (3 locations)
Open for early kickoffs? | Osaka Station branch opens 11 AM — covers 10 AM kickoffs live; earlier matches caught via 7 PM/9 PM repeats
Reservations | Not required
Minimum spend | None
HUB (11 Locations Across Osaka)
HUB’s Osaka footprint — 11 branches across Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nakanoshima, Kyobashi, and Abeno — is the largest of any pub chain in the city, meaning there’s almost always another branch nearby if one is full. As in Tokyo, HUB is running a formal World Cup viewing package for Japan’s matches, including the early kickoffs.
No cover charge and no minimum spend, same cash-on-delivery system as in Tokyo, and no reservations — arrive early for Japan’s matches, but with 11 locations the odds of finding a seat somewhere are good.
Locations | 11 branches: Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nakanoshima, Kyobashi, Abeno
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes — formal World Cup viewing package for Japan’s matches
Reservations | Not taken
Minimum spend | None — no cover charge
Bonus: T-Joy Umeda — The Big Screen Option
T-Joy Umeda, a full cinema in Umeda, is showing all three of Japan’s group stage matches live on a full-size screen with surround sound — the closest thing to a stadium atmosphere without leaving Osaka. Japan’s fixtures here are June 15 (5:00 AM vs Netherlands), June 21, and June 26.
This is a ticketed cinema screening, not a pub — book through T-Joy’s normal ticketing as early as possible. Given the 5 AM start and the novelty of the format, the opening match in particular is likely to sell out.
Venue | T-Joy Umeda (cinema)
Open for early kickoffs? | Yes — screening all 3 of Japan’s group matches
incl. the 5 AM opener
Reservations | Cinema ticket booking required — likely to sell out
Minimum spend | N/A — standard cinema ticket price
Namba and Umeda are both major JR-connected hubs, which makes either area an easy base for the tournament — wherever you end up watching, getting there and getting home afterward is straightforward.
Planning Around Japan’s Kickoff Times
- For 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM kickoffs: venues with no cover charge (HUB) or a cover that includes drinks (Hobgoblin, ¥3,000 for two) make the most sense — no premium on top of an already early start.
- If you can’t make an early kickoff: The Blarney Stone’s 7 PM and 9 PM repeat broadcasts in Osaka are the most reliable way to watch a missed match with dinner, at a normal hour.
- Reserve ahead where you can: Footnik (Promise Seat), Hobgoblin (live screening entry), and T-Joy Umeda (cinema tickets) all benefit from advance booking. HUB, Dublin Bay, and Celts don’t take reservations — plan to arrive early instead.
- Trains and last trains: Tokyo and Osaka's last trains typically run until around midnight to 1 AM — worth checking if you're settling in for a late kickoff that could run into extra time and penalties. For all-night sessions, HUB branches with extended hours and Dublin Bay’s late closing help bridge the gap until trains restart around 5 AM.
Planning Your World Cup Trip
- Travelling between Tokyo and Osaka: The Tokaido Shinkansen connects the two cities in around 2.5 hours and is fully covered by the JR Pass on Hikari and Kodama services.
- Book accommodation early: World Cup viewing nights will draw large crowds to Ebisu, Shibuya, Roppongi, Dotonbori, and Umeda. JapanDen has accommodation options in both cities — book ahead for Japan’s match dates specifically.
- Stay connected: Checking live screening confirmations, opening hours, and last-minute schedule changes is much easier with a Pocket Wi-Fi, especially since some venues only post screening details on Instagram rather than their main websites.
- Plan transport home in advance: Check the last train times for your route before you settle in — especially for evening kickoffs that could run past midnight with extra time.
FAQs
Where is the best place to watch Japan’s matches in Tokyo?
Footnik in Ebisu is the most established option, with a Promise Seat reservation system for guaranteed viewing during early kickoffs. For drinks included in the entry fee, Hobgoblin in Shibuya or Roppongi (¥3,000 including two drinks) is a strong choice for 5 AM and 8 AM starts.
Where is the best place to watch Japan’s matches in Osaka?
For live early-morning matches with no cover charge, any of the 11 HUB locations work well. For Japan’s matches specifically, T-Joy Umeda is showing all three group stage fixtures on a full cinema screen — book early, as it will sell out. If you can’t make the early kickoffs live, The Blarney Stone repeats every group stage match at 7 PM and 9 PM across its three Osaka locations.
Do I need to book in advance?
For Footnik (Promise Seat), Hobgoblin (live screening entry), and T-Joy Umeda (cinema tickets) — yes. HUB (both cities), Dublin Bay, and Celts don’t take bookings, so arriving early is the strategy, particularly for evening kickoffs. Coolabah requires a minimum order that can be pre-booked.
Are there minimum spends or cover charges I should know about?
Hobgoblin charges a flat ¥3,000 entry that includes two drinks. Coolabah requires a minimum order for games shown outside normal hours. HUB (Tokyo and Osaka), Footnik, Dublin Bay, The Blarney Stone, and Celts have no cover charge or minimum spend — you simply pay for what you order.
What does the HUB “cash on delivery” system mean?
At HUB and 82 Ale House locations, you pay for each drink as you order it at the bar, rather than running a tab and settling up at the end of the night — the opposite of how most Japanese izakaya operate. Signage at each branch explains the system. Worth knowing in advance so you’re not caught off guard ordering a 5 AM pint.
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