Ibaraki

Conveniently located just one hour north-east of Tokyo, Ibaraki has its eyes on the future, being at the forefront of Japanese scientific research and development. At the same time, though, the region offers a diverse array of mountains, lakes, lagoons and sandy beaches, ideal for city-dwellers seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
150 km east of Tokyo.
60 km long beach with swimming 20 minutes' walk from the stadium.
Kashima Stadium
Fine football-specific 41,800 capacity home of the Kashima Antlers. Train from Kashima Jingu Station to the stadium.
Download the Ibaraki City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Kobe

Port city 33km west of Osaka, opened to foreign trade in 1868.
suffered from a major earthquake in 1995 - extensive damage with 5500 dead.
Tourist information centres on Flower Road near Sannomiya Station (tel 078-322-0222) and inside Shin-Kobe Station.

Kobe Misaki 'Wing' Stadium
The 42,000 capacity ground has a built-in public swimming pool and is reached by the newly-built Kaigan subway line to Misaki-koen.
Kobe Subway Map
Download the Kobe City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Miyagi
(sendai)
population - 1 million.
One of Japan's fastest-growing and most pleasant cities
food speciality: calf tongue and soba noodles.

Miyagi Stadium
Shuttle buses from Sendai (delays possible).
Vegalta Sendai play some of their home games in the 49,281 capacity stadium.
Download the Miyagi City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Niigata

population - 480,000.
famous for rice and sake.
largest port on the Japan Sea coast.
Information Centre (8.30am-7pm; tel 025-241-7914) outside the Bandai exit of Niigata Station.
Niigata 'Big Swan' Stadium
27 minutes' walk from the railway station or shuttle bus.
Capacity 42,730, unobstructed views in this multi-purpose stadium, plays host to Niigata Albirex.
Download the Niigata City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Oita

population: 125,000 on the scenic southern island of Kyushu.
new stadium and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University part of Oita's plans to re-invent itself as a happening place
food speciality: fugu (the blowfish that almost killed homer).
No international ATM, but Oita Mirai Bank just east of the JR Beppu station will give cash advances on credit cards (show passport).
ferry to Kobe (15 hours) or Osaka (17 hours) Kansai Kisen Ferry (tel 22-1311) Daily, 7030 yen.
train to Fukuoka/Hakata 2.5 hours, 5750 yen. Connects with the Shinkansen bullet train for Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama and Tokyo.
Beppu to Oita airport by hovercraft 2750 yen or by bus 1700 from outside the Cosmopia shopping centre.

Oita Stadium
Titanium-roofed futuristic turtle.
Capacity 43,254. Shuttle bus from Oita station.
Download the Oita City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Osaka

Japan's third largest city - 2.6 million in the downtown area.
historically the merchant capital of the country.
within an hour of both Kyoto and Kobe.
Osaka Nagai Stadium
The multi-purpose 45,409-seat Nagai stadium is home to the J-League's Cerezo Osaka. Midosuji Line Subway to Nagai station.
Osaka Subway Map
Download the Osaka City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Saitama

a suburb of Tokyo.
home of Urawa Reds with Japan's craziest fans.
Harbors the John Lennon Museum in the superb Saitama Arena (Shintoshin station).
Saitama Stadium
Urawa Misono Station. National Road Route 122, Urawa interchange. The largest soccer-specific stadium in Japan. Futuristic 63,060 capacity arena with awesome curving roofs.
Download the Saitama City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Sapporo

population - 1.83 million.
northernmost World Cup venue on Hokkaido Island.
no rainy season, unlike the rest of Japan.
Has hosted the Asian Winter Games and Winter Olympics
food specialty: 'Genghis Khan' (barbecued mutton).
Sapporo Dome Stadium
Fukuzumi subway station. The 42,122 capacity stadium has an amazing hi-tech system where the football pitch slides into the roofed stadium from outside when the baseball pitch is not required or in the event of bad weather.
Sapporo Subway Map
Download the Sapporo City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Shizuoka

the centre of Japanese football. Home to top teams Jubilo Iwata and Shimizu S-Pulse.
close proximity of sea and mountains make this one of Japan's most beautiful locations - miles of Japanese tea plantations.
Mt Fuji lies to the north-east
good rail links with Tokyo and Osaka (Shinkansen bullet train).

Ecopa Stadium
stunning cauldron-like all-purpose 51,349 capacity arena set in parkland. Train to Ecopa Stadium station in Fukuroi City.
Download the Shizuoka City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)

Yokohama

Japan's relaxed and cosmopolitan second city, close to Tokyo.
seafront location with pleasant parks and a smattering of historic sites and buildings
location of the Final match of the 2002 World Cup and the International Media Center (IMC).
World's biggest ferris wheel.
Trains run to the stadium from Tokyo station, and Shibuya s tation.

Yokohama International Stadium
Yokohama Subway Map
Download the Ibaraki City Guide Movie (English / MPEG Format)