The 12 host venues for 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan have been revealed.

Japan was named as the host city back in 2009 and is set to become the first Asian country to stage the tournament.

The New National Stadium, which is to be built to replace the existing Olympic Stadium ahead of Tokyo's hosting of the Games in 2020, will serve as the largest arena, housing 80,000 spectators.

By contrast the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, a ground with a capacity of just 16,187, will also stage some of the matches.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "This is an important milestone for the tournament. Now we know exactly where the matches will be staged in Japan and, more importantly, the people of those cities and fans around the world can start planning for the big event.

"In 2019, hundreds of thousands of rugby fans will descend on Japan and millions more will watch on television as the world’s best players compete for the right to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

"It will be a wonderful tournament and, as it's the first time Rugby World Cup will take place in Asia, it will be an important milestone for us as we continue to make good on our commitment to grow the global game."

Full list of venues: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City; Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Iwate Prefecture/Kamaishi City; Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Saitama Prefecture/Kumagaya City; New National Stadium Japan, Tokyo; International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture/Yokohama City; Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium, Shizuoka Prefecture; Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture/Toyota City; Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture/Higashi Osaka City; Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe City; Hakatanomori Football Stadium, Fukuoka City; Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium, Kumamoto Prefecture/Kumamoto City; Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture.