(soccer)
Just like Arizona and Florida are two hot spots for professional sports’ spring training, in Japan, Okinawa is where you’ll find pro baseball and pro soccer.
Starting in mid-January, roughly 20 pro soccer teams are expected to arrive and hit the field ahead of the regular season kick off in February for J. League men’s soccer and March for Nadeshiko League women’s soccer.
Internationally, both men and women’s Japanese soccer is garnering attention, so it’s a great time to catch the teams warming up for the season.
Plus, you’ll find teams practicing across various locations around Okinawa, giving you the perfect opportunity to tour the island, enjoy the cherry blossoms and even try some of the fresh local produce that is also in season now like Tankan tangerine.
Make plans to stop by and catch some of these top teams in action for free before the start of the season!
Teams to check out
Normally team practice sessions are open to the public but is subject to change at team’s discretion. Many teams have not released information on practice matches yet, visit their website for more.
Urawa Reds
Dates: Jan. 12 – Feb. 1
Location: Kin-cho football center (26.45828, 127.94294)
FC Tokyo
Date: Jan. 12 – 24 (Kunigami), Jan. 25 – Feb. 1 (Itoman)
Location: Kaigin Field Kunigami (26.725195, 128.162334), Itonman City Nishizaki Athletic Field (26.147121, 127.662804)
Tokyo Verdy
Date: Jan. 13 -24 (Yaese), Jan. 26 – Feb. 1 (Nago)
Location: Yaese Sports Tourism Facilities (26.131403, 127.744547), 21st Century Forest Soccer, Rugby Filed (26.592802, 127.969300)
FC Machida Zelvia
Date: Jan. 12 – 25
Location: 21st Century Forest Soccer, Rugby Filed (26.592802, 127.969300)
Kawasaki Frontale
Date: Jan. 14 – 28
Location: Akama General Sports Park (26.471898, 127.841859)
Nagoya Grampus
Date: Jan. 13 – 20, Jan. 23 – Feb 1
Location: Haebaru Town Koganemori Park Athletics Stadium Ground (26.190511, 127.733603)
Kyoto Sanga F.C.
Date: Jan. 13 – 26
Location: Kochinda Sports Park Soccer Field (26.156898, 127.716115)
*Practice matches are scheduled on Jan 17, 21, and 25.
Gamba Osaka
Date: Jan. 17 – Feb. 1
Location: Yoshinoura Park Gosamaru Athletic Field (26.258970, 127.793973)
*Practice matches scheduled on Jan 21, 24, 28, and Feb 1
Days off on Jan 25, practice session on Jan 26 will not be open to public.
Vissel Kobe
Date: Jan. 17 – Feb. 1
Location: Nishihara Town Athletic Field (26.235876, 127.756664)
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
Date: Jan. 8 – 24
Location: Kin Town Athletic Stadium (26.453743, 127.912849)
Sagan Tosu
Date: Jan. 14 – 28
Location: Zanpa Premium Cape Zanpa Ball Park (26.437404, 127.715991)
Vegalta Sendai
Date: Jan. 10 - 19
Location: Itoman City Nishizaki Athletic Field (26.147160, 127.662793)
Mito Hollyhock
Date: Jan. 15 – 25
Location: Tomigusuku General Park Athletic Field (26.17373, 127.69173)
*Training matched scheduled on Jan 17 and 25 at Tomigusuku General Park Athletic Field, and 21 at Yoshinoura Park Gosamaru Athletic Field.
Jef United Chiba
Date: Jan. 13 – 26
Location: Nanjo City Athletic Field (26.145055, 127.769763)
*Practice matches are scheduled on Jan 17 and 20, but the locations have not been announced.
V. Varen Nagasaki
Date: Jan. 17 – 24 (Yomitan), Jan 25 – Feb 1 (Yaese)
Location: Yomitan Village Athletic Field (26.39934, 127.74533), Yaese Sports Tourism Facilities (26.131326, 127.744546)
Omiya Ardija
Date: Jan. 19 – Feb. 1
Location: Tapic Kenso Hiyagon Stadium (26.308554, 127.821196, to be confirmed.)
Vanraure Hachinohe Football Club
Date: To be announced
Location: Motobu Town Sports Park (26.675052, 127.895119, to be confirmed)
Tochigi SC
Date: Jan. 14 – 26
Location: Uruma City Gushikawa Multipurpose Sports Ground (26.357637, 127.864612)
F.C. Fujizakura Yamanashi
Date: to be announced.
Location: Zanpa Premium Cape Zanpa Ball Park (26.437428, 127.715986, to be confirmed)
Albirex Niigata Ladies
Date: to be announced
Location: Nanjo City Athletic Field (26.145060, 127.769757, to be confirmed)
