Football (Soccer), Tokyo

2 more images

We reached the Nissan Stadium 2 hours before kick off and there was nobody about.

We eventaully learnt that many Japanese teams play at their smaller ground in April (no idea why).

So we rushed over to their stadium

Only expensive seats were left but that was good as it allowed us to watch the 2 standing ends sing to each other for 90 mins.

Kobe sadly had the worst keeper of all time, and lost the game 5-0, but their fans carried on singing regardless.

The crowd of 14,000 made a huge amount of noise and ended the game with an umbrella dance to celebrate victory.

Equipment: Take a red, blue and white umbrella to join in the dancing

The main event of the short trip to Tokyo. Another trophy to put in the cabinet.

National Stadium is easily accessible from many major train stations in downtown Tokyo. The closest subway station is Kokuritsu Kyogijo Station, on the O-edo subway line. It is about a 5 minute walk from both the Sendagaya and Shinanomachi stations of the JR Chuo line, and a 10 minute walk from Gaienmae station, on the Ginza subway line.

Japan was Co-Host of the World Cup 2002 and played quite well themself. On the picture you see Japanese Fans celebrating their Loss (!) against Turkey! That was just lovely to see. Impossible in Europe to see that.

While walking through Tokyo we passed this group of people playing soccer in a cage like structure. Maybe they were only killing time during their break, or just playing with the ball. But it was a strange sight.