Recollections of Tokyo as a child may be hazy but some of the scrums when the first Test was in the balance will live long in the memory.
Sean Lynn’s side laid a platform up front to earn a scrappy win, with Tuipulotu playing 78 minutes.
“It was a long time to be on but the rest of the girls helped to keep me going,” said the 5ft 9ins, 17st 6lbs prop, who has swapped Gloucester-Hartpury for Harlequins.
“There were lots of words of encouragement from the girls in the back-row because there were loads of scrums in the second half, telling me and Kelsey [Jones, hooker] to keep going.
“That comes down to the work of the strength and conditioning coaches, because before pre-season we had a pre, pre-season and that was savage. They have made us fitter as a team.”
Tuipulotu, one of Wales’ contenders for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand next year, is showing signs of being back to her best going into Saturday’s second meeting with Japan in Kumagaya.
“Lynny just tells me to be myself,” added Tuipulotu.
“I play my best rugby with a smile on my face, then the game takes care of itself.”