3 Stadiums We Want to Visit During the Centennial Vision League
Editorial Team
This article is part of the Vissel Kobe Various Things 2025 Advent Calendar 2025.
The 2025 J1 League season has come to an end. In 2026, an unusual half-year league will be held as a transition period to the autumn-spring system.
It’s called the J1 Centennial Vision League. The 20 teams in J1 will be divided into East and West regions with 10 teams each. A regional league round will be held with home and away matches in a double round-robin format, and the final rankings will be determined in a playoff round where teams from each group with the same ranking will face each other.
Since the J1 promotion playoff results are not yet finalized, the exact division of which teams will be in the East and which in the West is not confirmed, but it is certain that our Kobe will be in the West region.
So, for those of us living in Kanto, we won’t be able to watch Vissel matches in Kanto for half a year. (It has been announced that the YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor’s Cup will not be held during this period.)
This is a serious situation. A severe depletion of Vissel energy is expected.
Therefore, as KOBE AWAY PRESS, which loves away games, we must consider expeditions from Kanto to various locations in western Japan.
So, as Kanto-based supporters, here are 3 stadiums we’d like to visit on this occasion (this is completely from the author’s personal perspective and does not represent the editorial team’s consensus).
PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank (Nagasaki)
This is the one. Last year, Japan’s first “hotel-integrated stadium” appeared in the center of Nagasaki.
This state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 20,000 has a distance of only 5 meters from the spectator seats to the pitch. It’s the perfect stadium to experience the intensity of the game live.
The surrounding area has been developed as Nagasaki Stadium City, making it an “everything is here” district with not only soccer but also shopping, dining, and even hot spring facilities. The Happiness Arena, home to the B1 League basketball team Nagasaki Velca, is also located within the area.
Access from Tokyo
From Tokyo, you’ll need to take a flight.
To Nagasaki Airport, JAL, ANA, and Solaseed Air operate one flight per day from Haneda, and Jetstar also operates from Narita.
From the airport, it’s about an hour by limousine bus. From there, the stadium is within walking distance.
But why not take Nagasaki’s famous streetcar? Get off at Stadium City South or Stadium City North stations.
As long as you can arrange a flight, it’s one of the easier stadiums to reach.
Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA (Kyoto)
Kyoto Sanga’s home stadium. This opened in 2020, so many of you may have already visited. Above all, it’s close to the station! Just a 3-minute walk from the nearest Kameoka Station.
Access from Tokyo
From Tokyo to Kyoto, it’s just over 2 hours by Shinkansen. Transfer at Kyoto Station to the JR Sagano Line, and it’s 30 minutes. If you take the rapid train, you’ll arrive at Kameoka Station in 20 minutes.
If you have time to spare, get off at Saga-Arashiyama Station. Transfer to the Sagano Romantic Train and ride to Torokko Kameoka Station. Enjoying the spectacular views of the Hozu Gorge is another option. It’s a very leisurely course and reservations are required.
JFE Sunny Country Stadium (Okayama)
Finally, Fagiano Okayama’s home stadium. Before the naming rights were introduced, it was affectionately known as “Momotaro Stadium.”
Here, it’s less about the stadium facilities and more about Fagifoods and wanting to hear the Momotaro chant. I want to eat the bone-in chicken.
Access from Tokyo
From Tokyo, JAL and ANA operate flights from Haneda to Okayama. From Okayama Momotaro Airport, it’s 23 minutes by limousine bus. Get off at “Sports Center Mae.” Note that the non-stop bus to Okayama Station does not stop at Sports Center Mae.
By Shinkansen, it’s about 3 hours and 15 minutes from Tokyo. From Okayama Station, it’s a 20-minute walk. By bus, it’s 3-6 minutes.
Summary
This time, I’ve introduced 3 stadiums based purely on personal interest, but I think they’re all great places to enjoy an away trip.
It’s a special league season. Why not take this opportunity to visit away stadiums you don’t normally go to?
Will KOBE AWAY PRESS be distributed? … We’re positively considering it (^^;