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J-League Stadium Guide

Japanese Soccer News
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Michael Tuckerman

How to get to J-League Stadiums in Japan

Albirex Niigata

Home ground: Niigata 'Big Swan' Stadium
Address: 68 Seigoro, Niigata-City, Niigata 950-0933
Capacity: 42,300
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: JR Niigata Station
Nearest bus stop: Sports Koen

Other useful info: Known colloquially as 'Big Swan' as the roof of the stadium is supposed to resemble a resting swan.

Niigata Guide

Avispa Fukuoka

Home ground: Hakata-no-Mori Stadium
Address: 2-1-1 Higashihirao-koen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 816-0052
Capacity: 22,563
When built: 1989
Nearest train station: Fukuoka Airport Station
Nearest bus stop: Higashi Hirao Koen Iriguchi

Other useful info: The ground is a fair distance from Fukuoka city centre and the nearest train station, so bus is the best method of travel to attend a game here.

Fukuoka Guide

Cerezo Osaka

Home ground: Nagai Stadium
Address: 1-1 Nagai-Koen, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 546-0034
Capacity: 45,409
When built: 1996
Nearest train station: Nagai Station
Nearest bus stop: Gojosuji

Other useful info: The stadium is being refurbished for the upcoming 2007 World Athletics Championships.

Osaka Guide

Consadole Sapporo

Home ground: Sapporo Dome
Address: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 062-0045
Capacity: 41,580
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: Fukuzumi Subway Station
Nearest bus stop: Sapporo Dome Mae
Other useful info: One of the most high-tech football stadiums in the world, the Sapporo Dome alternates between an artificial pitch used for baseball and a turf pitch - which is grown outside and lifted into the stadium prior to match days.
Home ground: Sapporo Atsubetsu Park Stadium
Address: 1-2-1 3-jo Kaminopporo, Ashibetsu-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 004-0033
Capacity: 20,005
When built: 1980
Nearest train station: Oyachi Station
Nearest bus stop: Atsubetsu Koen Iriguchi

Other useful info: The spiritual home of Consadole, the Atsubetsu Park Stadium is decrepit compared to the ultra-modern Sapporo Dome, and the wide running track makes it difficult to generate an atmosphere here.

Sapporo Guide

Ehime FC

Home ground: Ehime Matusyama Athletic Stadium
Address: 1139 Ido-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime 791-1114
Capacity: 20,000
When built: 1980
Nearest train station: Matsuyama JR Station
Nearest bus stop: Ehime Koen

Other useful info: The official name of the stadium is the somewhat comical "Comprehensive Movement Park."

FC Gifu

Home ground: Nagaragawa Stadium
Address: Nagarahara, Fukumitsu, Ono 2675-28, Gifu City, Gifu 502-0817
Capacity: 31,000
When built: 1990
Nearest train station: Gifu JR Station or Gifu Meitetsu Station
Nearest bus stop: Gifu Memorial Center-mae or Nagaragawa Kokusaekaigijo Kitaguchi

Other useful info: The stadium is the home ground of FC Gifu who gained J2 status in 2008 and is part of the Gifu Memorial Center sports complex situated on the north bank of the Nagarahara River.

Sports facilities include an athletics track, a baseball field (used occasionally by the Chunichi Dragons pro-baseball team), tennis courts, a swimming pool, a martial arts building and indoor stadia for volleyball, gymnastics, table tennis, basketball etc.

Gifu Guide

FC Tokyo

Home ground: Ajinomoto Stadium
Address: 376-3 Nishi-machi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0032
Capacity: 50,000
When built: 2000
Nearest train station: Tobitakyu Station
Nearest bus stop: Ajinomoto Stadium Minami-guchi

Other useful info: Did not host any matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, despite being one of Japan's most high-tech stadiums.

Tokyo Guide

Gamba Osaka

Home ground: Osaka Expo '70 'Banpaku' Stadium
Address: 5-2 Senri-Banpaku-Koen, Suita City, Osaka 565-0826
Capacity: 21,000
When built: 1968
Nearest train station: Banpaku Koen Higashiguchi
Nearest bus stop: Banpaku Koen Higashiguchi

Other useful info: The stadium takes its name from the 1970 World Exposition hosted by Osaka, and was refurbished in 1974.

Osaka Guide

JEF United Chiba

Home ground: Fukuda Denshi 'Fukuari' Arena
Address: 1-20 Kawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-0935
Capacity: 19,781
When built: 2005
Nearest train station: JR Soga Station
Nearest bus stop: JR Soga Station

Other useful info: One of the best football-only facilities in Japan, the stadium was built as an alternative venue to United's former home ground, the unpopular Ichihara Seaside Stadium.

Jubilo Iwata

Home ground: Yamaha Stadium
Address: 2500 Shingai, Iwata City, Shizuoka 438-0025
Capacity: 17,000
When built: 1978
Nearest train station: JR Iwata Station
Nearest bus stop: Hamamatsu Bus Terminal

Other useful info: Was used as the home base by the Japan national team during the 2002 World Cup.

Home ground: Shizuoka 'Ecopa' Stadium
Address: Ogasayama Sports Park, Aino, Fukuroi City 437-8666
Capacity: 51,349
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: JR Aino Station
Nearest bus stop: Ogasayama Undo Koen

Other useful info: A 2002 FIFA World Cup venue, Jubilo Iwata play their more high profile matches at Ecopa Stadium, which they share with prefectural rivals Shimizu S-Pulse, other fixtures are held at Yamaha Stadium.

Shizuoka Guide

Kashima Antlers

Home ground: Kashima Soccer Stadium
Address: 26-2 Ushiroyama, Jinkoji, Kashima City, Ibaraki 314-0007
Capacity: 39,000
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: Kashima Stadium Station
Nearest bus stop: Piston

Other useful info: The ground once had a capacity of just 16,000 but was completely refurbished and used as a host venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Ibaraki Guide

Kashiwa Reysol

Home ground: Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium
Address: 1-2-50 Hitachidai, Kashiwa City, Chiba 277-0083
Capacity: 15,900
When built: 1975
Nearest train station: JR Kashiwa Station
Nearest bus stop: Midorigaoka

Other useful info: One of the smallest stadiums in the J-League, the stadium has only one covered stand, meaning that spectators can expect to get wet in the rain.

Kawasaki Frontale

Todoroki Stadium. Home ground: Todoroki Athletic Stadium
Address: 1-1 Todoroki, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 211-0052
Capacity: 25,000
When built: 1965
Nearest train station: Shin Maruko
Nearest bus stop: Shiei Ground Mae

Other useful info: The former home ground of the once great Verdy Kawasaki, who these days are more recognisable as Tokyo Verdy.

Kyoto Sanga

Home ground: Nishikyogoku Stadium
Address: 32 Nishikyogokushinmei-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 615-0864
Capacity: 20,242
When built: 1942
Nearest train station: Nishikyogoku Station
Nearest bus stop: Nishikyogoku Undo Koen Mae

Other useful info: City officials have decided to completely remodel one of the most unpopular stadiums in the J-League, in the hope of attracting more fans to Kyoto Purple Sanga games.

Kyoto Guide

Mito Hollyhock

Home ground: Kasamatsu Stadium
Address:
Capacity: 22,022
When built: 1974
Nearest train station: JR Tokai Station
Nearest bus stop: Kasamatsu Sports Park

Other useful info: Mito Hollyhock have one of the lowest average attendances in the J-League, and the fact that Kasamatsu Stadium is situated so far from Mito City gives a good indication why.

Montedio Yamagata

Home ground: Yamagata Park Athletic Stadium
Address: 1-1 Sanno, Tendo City, Yamagata 944-0000
Capacity: 20,315
When built: 1991
Nearest train station: JR Tenri Station
Nearest bus stop: Yamagata Park Koen

Other useful info: The pitch is surrounded by such a wide running track, that it can be difficult to view the action from certain vantage points inside the stadium.

Nagoya Grampus Eight

Home ground: Toyota Soccer Stadium
Address: 7-2 Sengoku-cho, Toyota City, Aichi 471-0877
Capacity: 45,000
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: Meitetsu Toyotashi Station
Nearest bus stop: Toyota City Stadium

Other useful info: Toyota Soccer Stadium will host the opening match of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.

Home ground: Mizuho Athletics Stadium
Address: 5-1 Yamashita-tori Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi 467-0062
Capacity: 27,000
When built: 1947
Nearest train station: Mizuho Sports Park Station
Nearest bus stop: Mizuho Ground Bus Stop

Other useful info: One of the oldest grounds in the J-League, the stadium was built close to Nagoya city centre but is being fazed out of use, with the club preferring to play most of their games at Toyota Soccer Stadium.

Nagoya Guide

Oita Trinita

Home ground: Oita 'Big Eye' Stadium
Address: 1351 Yokoo, Oita City, Oita 870-0126
Capacity: 43,000
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: JR Oita Station
Nearest bus stop: Big Eye Higashi

Other useful info: One of the most futuristic stadiums ever built, Oita's 'Big Eye' Stadium features a retractable roof to help deal with Kyushu's unpredictable weather.

Oita Guide

Omiya Ardija

Home ground: Omiya Stadium
Address: 4 Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 330-0803
Capacity: 12,500
When built: 1964
Nearest train station: Omiya Koen
Nearest bus stop: Soccer Jo Mae Bus Stop

Other useful info: Renovations are taking place to upgrade Omiya Stadium throughout the 2006 J-League season, so Omiya Ardija will play the majority of home matches at nearby Komaba Stadium - the spiritual home of rivals Urawa Reds.

Home ground: Saitama Soccer Stadium
Address: 500 Nakanoda, Midori-ku, Saitama-City 330-0846
Capacity: 63,700
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: Urawa Bi-en
Nearest bus stop: JR Urawa Station

Other useful info: A 2002 FIFA World Cup venue, Omiya Ardija play occasional matches at Saitama Stadium, particularly the derby against crosstown rivals Urawa Reds.

Saitama Guide

Sagan Tosu

Home ground: Tosu Stadium
Address: 812 Kyo-machi, Tosu City, Saga 841-0034
Capacity: 24,490
When built: 1996
Nearest train station: JR Tosu Station
Nearest bus stop: JR Tosu Station

Other useful info: One of the most picturesque grounds in J2, Sagan Tosu's magnificent Tosu Stadium is one of the most accessible in the league, and lies next to a train station in the centre of the city.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Home ground: Hiroshima 'Big Arch' Stadium
Address: 5-1-1 Otsuka-nishi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 731-3162
Capacity: 50,000
When built: 1993
Nearest train station: JR Hiroshima Station
Nearest bus stop: Sando University Bus Stop

Other useful info: The distance of the stadium from Hiroshima's city centre makes it difficult for the club to attract large crowds.

Hiroshima Guide

Shimizu S-Pulse

Home ground: Nihondaira Stadium
Address: 3880-1 Otani, Shimizu-muramatsu, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0926
Capacity: 20,339
When built: 1991
Nearest train station: JR Shimizu Station
Nearest bus stop: Nihondaira Undo Koen Iriguchi

Other useful info: Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque venues in Japan, the roof was designed to cover just three-quarters of the main stand, so as not to obscure the spectacular view of Mt Fuji in the background.

Home ground: Shizuoka 'Ecopa' Stadium
Address: Ogasayama Sports Park, Aino, Fukuroi City
Capacity: 51,349
When built: 2001
Nearest train station: JR Aino Station
Nearest bus stop: Ogasayama Undo Koen

Other useful info: The club generally play the derby against Jubilo Iwata and the home match against Urawa Reds at Ecopa Stadium.

Shizuoka Guide

Shonan Bellmare

Home ground: Hiratsuka Stadium
Address: 1-1 Ohara, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa 254-0074
Capacity: 18,500
When built: 1987
Nearest train station: JR Hiratsuka Station
Nearest bus stop: Hiratsuka Koen

Other useful info: The stadium was refurbished in 1998.

Thespa Kusatsu

Home ground: Gunma Shikishima Athletic Stadium
Address: 464-28 Kusatsu-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma 377-1711
Capacity: 10,050
When built: 1969
Nearest train station: JR Maebashi Station
Nearest bus stop: JR Maebashi Station

Other useful info: Surrounded by parklands, Gunma Shikishima Athletic Stadium has an old style grass hill - an unusual feature, even in some of Japan's more outdated stadia.

Tokushima Vortis

Home ground: Naruto Athletic Stadium
Address: 2-22 Hisagodani, Aza, Inubushi, Itano-cho, Itano-gun, Tokushima 779-0108
Capacity: 20,441
When built: 1971
Nearest train station: Tokushima JR Station
Nearest bus stop: Naruto Athletic Stadium

Other useful info: Naruto Athletic Stadium has high raking stands along the sidelines, to provide better views for fans sitting towards the front of those stands, however fans behind the goals are hindered by the size of the athletic track surrounding the pitch.

Tokyo Verdy

Other useful info: After relocating from their original home town of Kawasaki, Tokyo Verdy now share their Ajinomoto Stadium with more popular cross-town rivals FC Tokyo.

Urawa Reds

Other useful info: The 63,700 capacity: Saitama Stadium was built with Urawa's fanatical support in mind, and is often filled to near capacity: for the club's J-League matches.

Home ground: Komaba Stadium
Address: 2-1-1 Komaba, Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 330-0051
Capacity: 21,500
When built: 1967
Nearest train station: JR Minami Urawa Station
Nearest bus stop: Uchu-Kakakukan Iriguchi Bus Stop

Other useful info: Urawa often pack Komaba Stadium during lower profile J-League and Emperor's Cup matches.

Saitama Guide

Vegalta Sendai

Home ground: Yurtec Sendai Stadium
Address: 78 Yanagi, Nanakita, Izumi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi 981-3131
Capacity: 19,694
When built: 1997
Nearest train station: Izumi Chuo Subway Station
Nearest bus stop: Izumu Chuo Subway Station

Other useful info: Vegalta Sendai are one of the most popular teams in J2, and Yurtec Sendai Stadium - which is located in the middle of the city, regularly welcomes large crowds.

Sendai Guide

Ventforet Kofu

Home ground: Kose Sports Park Stadium
Address: 840 Kose-machi, Kofu City, Yamanashi 400-0836
Capacity: 17,000
When built: 1975
Nearest train station: Minami Kofu Station
Nearest bus stop: Kose Sports Park

Other useful info: The stadium is virtually inaccessible by train, so car or bus are the best way to travel to a match in rural Kofu.

Vissel Kobe

Home ground: Kobe 'Wing' Stadium
Address: 1-2-2 Misaki-cho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 652-0855
Capacity: 34,000
When built: 1975
Nearest train station: JR Hyogo Station or Misaki-koen Station on the Kaigan Subway Line
Nearest bus stop: Wada Misaki Station

Other useful info: This 2002 World Cup venue has superceded the deteriorating Kobe Universiade Stadium as the home of Vissel Kobe, and features a retractable roof to keep out inclement weather.

Kobe Guide

Yokohama FC

Home ground: Mitsuzawa Stadium
Address: 3-1 Mitsuzawanishi-machi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0855
Capacity: 15,050
When built: 1955
Nearest train station: JR Yokohama Station
Nearest bus stop: Mitsuzawa Koen Iriguchi

Other useful info: Mitsuzawa Stadium will undoubtedly be packed for Yokohama FC's top-flight debut, which takes place against bitter local rivals Yokohama F. Marinos.

Yokohama F. Marinos

Yokohama International Stadium, Yokohama.

Home ground: Nissan 'International' Stadium
Address: 3300 Kozukue-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama city, Kanagawa 222-0036
Capacity: 72,370
When built: 1997
Nearest train station: Kozukue Station
Nearest bus stop: Nissan Stadium Mae

Other useful info: Venue for the 2002 World Cup Final, this ground features high-tech broadcasting facilities and is also the venue of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup Final.

Other useful info: Yokohama F. Marinos rarely use this stadium these days, and with crosstown rivals Yokohama FC looking good for promotion from the Second Division, may give the ground up altogether.

Yokohama Guide

National Stadium

Home ground: Tokyo Kasumigaoka National Stadium
Address: 10-2 Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0013
Capacity: 56,000
When built: 1958
Nearest train station: Sendagaya Station
Nearest bus stop: Kokuritsu Kyogijo

Other useful info: The National Stadium in Tokyo is not home to any particular J-League club. Many J-League clubs in the vicinity of Tokyo host matches here, however, and the ground is frequently used by the Japan national team. The ground will also host matches at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.