A Guide To Football In Japan

Like most places in the world, football in Japan is a big deal. It’s the nation’s second most popular sport after baseball.  

Football in Japan is commonly referred to as sakkā, which is derived from soccer and not football. The professional football league, known as the J.League, is the most successful football league in Asia.

If you’re thinking about visiting or working in Japan, you might find it useful to have a bit of knowledge about football in Japan, even if it’s just to help you start conversations.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about football in Japan…

Japan Football Association

Founded in 1921, the Japan Football Association are the official governing body for football in Japan. They are responsible for the administration of football in Japan. They are also responsible for the national team and club competitions.

The J.League

The top-level of football in Japan, known as the J.League, is comprised of three divisions: the J1, J2 and J3.

The J1 division is the highest level of professional football played in Japan. It is administered by the Japanese Football Association.

The J.League season begins in March and ends in December. Football games usually take place on Saturday afternoons, but they are often played in the evening during summer.

You can buy tickets online or at stadiums to go and watch the games live or, you can watch them on TV (usually paid channels).

Japan Football Teams

Below are lists of football teams in each division of the J League. Teams in each division do vary year to year, with promotions and relegations between the divisions.

J1 is comprised of 18 teams

• Albirex Niigata
• Cerezo Osaka
• F.C. Tokyo
• JEF United Ichihara Chiba
• Kashima Antlers
• Kashiwa Reysol
• Kawasaki Frontale
• Gamba Osaka
• Júbilo Iwata
• Nagoya Grampus Eight
• Oita Trinita
• Omiya Ardija
• Sanfrecce Hiroshima
• Shimizu S-Pulse
• Tokyo Verdy 1969
• Urawa Red Diamonds
• Vissel Kobe
• Yokohama F. Marinos

J2 is comprised of 12 teams

• Avispa Fukuoka
• Consadole Sapporo
• Kyoto Purple Sanga
• Mito Hollyhock
• Montedio Yamagata
• Ohtsuka F.C.
• Sagan Tosu
• Shonan Bellmare
• Thespakusatsu
• Vegalta Sendai
• Ventforet Kofu
• Yokohama FC

J3 is comprised of 16 teams

• Alo’s Hokuriku
• Ehime F.C.
• DENSO S.C.
• F.C. Horikoshi
• HONDA F.C.
• Honda Lock S.C.
• Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C.
• Ryutsu Keizai University F.C.
• Sagawa Express Osaka S.C.
• Sagawa Express Tokyo S.C.
• Sagawa Printing S.C.
• S.C. Tottori
• Sony Sendai F.C.
• Tochigi S.C.
• YKK AP F.C.
• Yokogawa Musashino F.C.

Although the J. League is the major football league in Japan, there are other big tournaments and competitions.

Other Notable Japanese Football Competitions

Emperor’s Cup

Dating back to 1921, the Emperor’s Cup is the longest standing football tournament in Japan. The competition is held to decide the best football team in the country.

The cup is open to every member club in the Japanese football association from the top-level J1 division, right down to high school football teams.

Due to the nature of the knockout tournament that occasionally pits top level and bottom level teams against each other, underdog teams can knock professional teams out of the competition. Underdog teams who do this are known as giant killers.

The Japanese football tournament takes place throughout the year, starting between April and August. The final is usually held on new years day.

The cup winner also qualifies for the AFC Champions League.

An all women’s football elimination tournament also exists. It is called the Empress Cup and it is essentially the female version of the Emperor’s Cup, following the same format and rules.

Super Cup

The super cup is a once a year event. It pits the winning team from the previous season’s J1 League and Emperor’s Cup against each other. This high-level game takes place before the first round of J.League games. It’s an exciting start to the season.

Football stadiums in Japan

There are over 250 football stadiums across Japan. Some of the best stadiums in Japanese football are home to J-league teams.

Below are 5 of the best J League stadiums in Japan.

International Stadium, Yokohama

Home to the Yokohoma F. Marinos of the J1 League, this multi-purpose stadium opened in 1998.

The stadium has 75000 seats, meaning it had the highest seating capacity of any stadium in Japan for 21 years.

A popular stadium, it has been host to world cup football games, world cup rugby games, and some Olympic games.

Saitama Stadium 2002, Midori-ku, Saitama

Located in Midori-ku in Saitama, the Saitama stadium is the largest football-specific stadium in Japan.

It was built in 2001, and the Urawa Red Diamonds football team use it for their home games.

The semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA world cup have been hosted here too.

Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osaka

An all-around athletic arena, the Yanmar stadium is the home of the J1 football club, Cerezo Osaka.

With a seating capacity of 47,000, it’s been home to football games in the world cup and the summer Olympics.

It was actually opened in 1964, with the first event being an Olympic football match. The capacity was only 23,000 when it opened, and it has more than doubled since.

Kashima Soccer Stadium, Ibaraki, Prefecture

With a capacity of 40,728, this football stadium is the home of the Kashima Antlers.

Opened in 1993, it’s located in Kashima, Ibaraki and has been a host to multiple matches in the FIFA world cup.

Panasonic Stadium Suita

Home to the popular J1 League team Gamba Osaka since 2016, the Panasonic Stadium Suita has a capacity of 39,694.

Located in the city of Suita, Osaka prefecture, the football stadium was opened in 2015. The cost of construction for this stadium was over ¥14 billion.

Japan World Cup Football

Just like all the other national football teams, Japan has world cup winning ambitions.

Interestingly, their women’s teams are more successful than the men’s teams in the world cup.

The men’s teams (known as the Samurai Blue) have competed in the world cup on six occasions. The closest they have come to victory is ninth place. They have achieved ninth place twice: once in 2002 and again in 2010.

The women’s team (known as Nadeshiko Japan), however, have competed in eight revolutions of the tournament. They won the world cup in Germany in 2011 and came second in 2015.

Will you be getting involved with football in Japan?

Football is a very popular sport in Japan, and the best way to experience it is first hand. Why not head over to our job listings page and see if we have any jobs that will enable you to experience football in Japan?