Irish soccer fans planning to travel to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea can expect to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, but the trip will not be cheap, writes David McNeill in Tokyo
The fans will find two advanced, well-ordered societies with levels of service and public safety that put most European cities to shame - and a disarming hospitality. They can also sample two of the oldest and richest cultures in the world.
Both countries boast fast and efficient public transport systems, including state-of-the-art underground networks in the major cities - just as well given that the matches are spread over 20 stadiums
Negotiating their way around these venues, particularly in Asian-sized crowds, will be one of the trickier challenges faced by supporters. Yokohama International Stadium, a relatively short ride from Narita Airport on Tokyo's sleek trains, should not cause too much bother, but start praying now that the Republic does not find itself in Big Eye Stadium. Based in Oita in the southern tip of the country, look forward to a 90-minuted domestic flight and local transport after flying in from Dublin (via London).
Daegu in South Korea, home to the Daegu World Cup Stadium, is a four-hour bus ride from Seoul.
The second major challenge will be managing a budget. Air travel to Japan and Korea is not cheap and flights between the two countries are, frankly, extortionate. Hotels, in particular, cost a bundle and the embassies here are already warning fans to book package deals with accommodation costs paid in advance.
Still, for those with fat wallets and advanced map-reading skills, many pleasures await. Large cities have thousands of restaurants and bars scattered throughout every neighbourhood.