Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Nissan Stadium (日産スタジアム) aka International Stadium Yokohama was the venue of 2002 World Cup final and is the home stadium of J.League club Yokohama F. Marinos.
History & Capacity
The stadium opened in 1998 and until the construction of the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo had the highest capacity of any stadium in country at 72,327.
From the outset the stadium has been owned and operated by the city of Yokohama and managed to accommodate a variety of events, from football and rugby matches to international pop concerts.
Nissan Stadium boasts a state-of-the-art eco-friendly design and operating facilities including a recycled water supply from the roof and local homes. Power is supplied from a nearby incinerator unit and heating/cooling from a local wastewater treatment plant.
As the International Stadium Yokohama the venue staged the final of World Cup 2002 Korea/Japan between Brazil and Germany. In addition the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup took place here as well as soccer games during the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Dimensions & Facilities
The stadium covers an area of 107 meters by 72 meters with a natural grass playing surface surrounded by a running track.
Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos is one of the most successful and storied football clubs in Japan. The team was founded in 1972 as Nissan Motors F.C., representing the company's corporate team. It became a dominant force in Japanese football during the 1980s, winning multiple titles in the Japan Soccer League (JSL) and domestic cups.
With the establishment of the professional J.League in 1993, Nissan Motors F.C. was rebranded as Yokohama Marinos, reflecting the heritage of one of Japan's most famous sea ports. In 1999, the team merged with Yokohama Flügels, another prominent Yokohama-based team, to become Yokohama F. Marinos. The "F" in the name honors the Flügels' legacy. Despite early controversies over the merger, the club emerged as a stronger unit.
The Marinos have consistently been among the most successful teams in Japanese football, winning several J.League titles (1995, 2003, 2004, 2019, 2022) and earning a reputation for their technical and attacking style of play. They have also lifted the Emperor's Cup on five occasions and the now defunct Asian Cup Winners' Cup twice.
The club has also participated in the AFC Champions League, representing Japan on the wider Asian stage. Yokohama F. Marinos has been under the partial ownership of City Football Group (owners of Manchester City) since 2014.
Famous former players include left-foot maestro Shunsuke Nakamura (later of Glasgow Celtic fame), central defender Masami Ihara, captain of the Japan national team for more than a decade in the 1990s and 2000s, and his defensive partner Yuji Nakazawa, who made over 500 appearances for the club. Japan's 2002 World Cup goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi began his career at the club.
Some former managers of the club include Osvaldo Ardiles, Takeshi Okada, Ange Postecoglou, Kevin Muscat and Harry Kewell.
Access - Getting There
Train & Subway
The nearest Shinkansen Station is Shin-Yokohama to the south on the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations. From here it is about 12 to 14 minutes on foot to the stadium.
From downtown Tokyo the ground is 25 to 40 minutes by train on JR's Tokaido, Yokosuka, or Keihin Tohoku lines. On the Keihin Tohoku Line take a train from Tokyo Station to Higashi-Kanagawa and change to the JR Yokohama Line for Shin-Yokohama Station.
Alternatively, it is 30 minutes from Shibuya (central Tokyo) to Yokohama Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line express. From central Yokohama to the International Stadium in Yokohama is 15 minutes by JR Yokohama Line or the municipal subway from Sakuragicho Station to Shin-Yokohama Station followed by a quarter of an hour walk to the venue.
Monorail
From Haneda Airport Station (Tokyo) allow 45 minutes by Tokyo Monorail and JR Keihin Tohoku lines to Sakuragicho Station or 20 minutes by Keihin Kyuko Line.
Bus
From Narita Airport (Tokyo) it is 90 minutes by airport "limousine bus" to either Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) or the Minato Mirai 21 district. From Haneda Airport (Tokyo) travel time is 30 minutes by Keihin Kyuko expressway bus to Yokohama Station.
3300 Kozukue-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City 222-0036
Tel: 045 477 5000
Nearby Hotels
Yokohama has a range of hotel and guesthouse options ranging from luxury 5-star properties to more affordable business hotels.
If you do wish to stay close to the stadium itself try the 3-star Daiwa Roynet Hotel Shin-Yokohama.
Alternatively, the pleasant, three-star Best Western Hotel Fino Shin-Yokohama is also close to Shin-Yokohama Station.
Nearby Sights
The historic port city of Yokohama offers much to see and do.
Minato Mirai 21
A bustling waterfront area with landmarks such as the Landmark Tower, Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel, and the Cup Noodles Museum.
Yokohama Chinatown
The largest Chinatown in Japan, it is filled with colorful gates, bustling streets, and authentic Chinese restaurants. Kanteibyo Temple (関帝廟) is another notable attraction in Chinatown.
Sankeien Garden
A serene Japanese-style garden featuring historic buildings, picturesque ponds, and seasonal blooms.
Yamashita Park
A scenic park along Yokohama Bay offering relaxing waterfront views and landmarks such as the historic ship Hikawa Maru.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
A unique food museum where visitors can explore the history of ramen and sample regional varieties in a retro, 1950s-themed setting.
Photos above by Joji Imamiya
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