J-League Top 5 Stadiums
Here is a listing of the top five soccer stadiums in Japan including International Stadium, Yokohama and Saitama Stadium in Saitama.
Five J-League Stadiums to Visit
The J-League in Japan is one of the fastest growing leagues around the world in terms of television interest. The J-League now consists of players from far and wide including Brazil, Columbia and England, as the Japanese clubs have been doing everything they can to entice some of the high profile players in the sport to Japan.
If you are planning a trip to Japan and want to catch some soccer while you are in the country, here are five grounds you should look definitely try to visit on your travels in the country.
Yokohoma F. Marinos - International Stadium, Yokohama
If you only get chance to visit one sports ground in Japan, it has to be the International Stadium in Yokohama. This was the venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup final where Brazil beat Germany 2-0 to win the tournament for the fifth time. It is also the venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Nissan Stadium, West Gate side, approached from Kozukue Station
The International Stadium has the highest seating capacity of any stadium in Japan at 72,327. It is set to be used at the 2020 Olympics and for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Kashima Antlers - Kashima Soccer Stadium, Ibaraki, Prefecture
The Antlers are the reigning J-League Champions and one of the most successful clubs in the history of soccer in Japan. They are one of only two clubs who have competed in the top flight every season since the inception of the J-League.
Kashima will represent the J-League in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they are 50/1 with some bookmakers to cause a surprise in the competition - which also includes Spanish giants Real Madrid who won the Champions League in Europe to qualify.
Urawa Red Diamonds - Saitama Stadium 2012, Midori-Ku, Saitama
The Red Diamonds were runners-up in the 2016 J-League championship, despite winning the first leg of the final 1-0. Kashima landed the spoils on away goals after the scores were locked at 2-2 following the two fixtures.
"Saitama Stadium 2002"(CC BY 2.0) by yoppy
The Saitama-based club has boasted the highest average attendance in Japan in 14 of the 20 seasons the J-League has existed so the atmosphere is one of the best you can be part of.
The stadium was built in 2001 in order to stage matches at the 2002 World Cup. It hosted a semi-final of that tournament which featured Brazil and Turkey.
Nagai Stadium, Osaka
Cerezo Osaka - Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka
Home of Cerezo Osaka, Nagai Stadium has a total capacity of 47,000. It initially opened in 1964 and was used for soccer during the Olympics of that year. Since then, it has had a huge redevelopment which has seen the number of seats in the stadium more than double.
The pitch has a running track around it because the 2007 World Athletics Championships took place here. The stadium is still used for a number of Grand Prix events as well as soccer.
Omiya Ardija - Nack5 Stadium Omiya, Saitama
With a total capacity of just 15,000, the Nack5 Stadium Omiya is one of the smallest in the J-League. However, it is arguably the most unique. It was used for the soccer manga-anime Captain Tsubasa. If you are lucky enough to get a ticket for a game here, you are likely to have a fantastic experience.
