J. League round-up: Tokyo's five football clubs
Baseball may be the unofficial Japanese national pastime, but football is closing the gap. Spirits are high as the Japanese national team is making its way to the World Cup in South Africa next year. And the professional J. League circuit is set to attract 10 million fans this season.
And why not? J. League matches are a great way to spend a few hours in Tokyo. Tickets start from a reasonable ¥2,000. The atmosphere at stadiums is lively but open and friendly. Hooliganism is completely absent, and women actually make up a slight majority of fans in the 19-39 age bracket.
Somehow the championship always comes down to the last weekend, and this year's run-in is an almost carbon copy of last season: the Kashima Antlers are ahead but could still lose the title to Kawasaki Frontale if they slip in the final December 5 game.
For those who want to get more involved with the local J. League teams, we've made this handy guide to the five big clubs in Tokyo and its immediate environs.
1. FC Tokyo: A dependable home team
The record so far: Two-time winners of the Nabisco Cup -- defeating rival Kawasaki in this year's final -- FC Tokyo is a solid team. They have yet, however, taken home the J. League championship.
What makes them special: FC Tokyo's got some of the league's noisiest fans, though they have to really keep the decibels up to fill the expansive Ajinomoto Stadium. Star players include striker Naohiro Ishikawa -- the fourth highest scorer this season -- and 23-year-old right-back Yuto Nagatomo, who is said to have attracted interest from some of Europe's big clubs. Both are members of the national team.
Home ground: Ajinomoto Stadium (capacity 50,000), nearest station: Tobitakyu
2. Tokyo Verdy: Fallen champions
The record so far: Back in the good old days, they were called Kawasaki Verdy and backed by the Yomiuri media group. At that time they dominated the early years of the J. League, winning the first two championships and the first three league cups. Since their move to Tokyo and break from the Yomiuri group, however, Verdy has had trouble finding sponsorship and fallen to the second tier.
What makes them special: Originally intended to be a football equivalent of baseball's all-conquering Yomiuri Giants, Tokyo Verdy now finds itself struggling with mid-table mediocrity in J-2. Fans dream of a return to the club's former glories.
Home grounds: Ajinomoto Stadium (capacity 50,000), nearest station: Tobitakyu; National Olympic Stadium (capacity 48,000), nearest stations: Gaienmae, Kokuritsu Kyogijo and Sendagaya
3. Kawasaki Frontale: Up-and-comers
The record so far: The J. League's upstarts, formed in the shadow of then powerhouse Kawasaki Verdy, Frontale's only titles so far are as J-2 (second division) champions.
What makes them special: Frontale has transformed into a title contender in recent seasons, scoring more goals than any other club in 2008 and 2009, and reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League twice. Players to watch include Brazilian striker Juninho and Japan international midfield maestro Kengo Nakamura. Also Japan-born striker Chong Tese is a member of the North Korean national team, helping the Juche strikers get into the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Home ground: Todoroki (capacity – 25,000), nearest stations: Musashi-Kosugi, Musashi-Nakahara, Takatsu
4. Urawa Red Diamonds: Beloved ballers
The record so far: Urawa "Reds" have been strong in years past but have been suffering something of a dry spell recently. After topping the J. League in 2006 and winning the Asian Champions League the following year, they look certain to miss out on a top three finish this year.
What makes them special: They are the best-supported club not only in the J. League, but in the whole of Asia -- regularly attracting 60,000+ crowds at their stadium built for the Japan/Korea World Cup. The Reds are also one of the first professional clubs in Japan, originally founded in 1950 by Mitsubishi Motors and still run by the auto giant today.
Home ground: Saitama Stadium 2002 (capacity 63,700), nearest station: Urawa Misono
5. Yokohama F Marinos: Harbor heroes
The record so far: Yokohama F Marinos are three times J. League champions, including a win before they merged with the Yokohama Flugels and got the extra "F."
What makes them special: The Marinos have the privilege of playing their home games at the stadium that hosted the 2002 World Cup final. The downside is that, like Tokyo FC, the superb stadium is way too big for the crowds they attract -- though it does mean you can always get a ticket. Star defender and captain Yuji Nakazawa also leads the national team and is famous for having moved to Brazil as a teenager to hone his skills.
Home ground: Nissan Stadium/International Stadium Yokohama (capacity 72,000), nearest stations: Shin-Yokohama, Kozokue
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