Shunbun no Hi, or the Spring Equinox Day, is a time of renewal and balance in Japan—a moment to appreciate nature, reflect on the past, and embrace what’s ahead. And what better way to celebrate than by honouring some of my favorite Japanese footballers?
Marcus Tulio Tanaka – At the 2010 World Cup
One of my earliest and most vivid football memories is the 2010 World Cup. England were dreadful, but the tournament itself? Absolutely enthralling. Japan, in particular, caught my eye.
I remember placing a friendly wager on them to beat Cameroon in their opener, much to the amusement of a friend who insisted the South African crowd would rally behind the Indomitable Lions. Japan won. I felt vindicated. It was their first World Cup victory away from home soil, and I was hooked.
At the heart of that Samurai Blue side was Marcus Tulio Tanaka. The Brazilian-born defender, sporting a top-knot before it was fashionable, played with an élan that stood out. He passed well, commanded the backline, and left an impression that lasted well beyond the tournament. After a trophy-laden career with Urawa Red Diamonds and Nagoya Grampus, he bowed out at Kyoto Sanga, but his impact on Japanese football remains undeniable.
Maika Hamano – The Jovialist Rising Star
I’ll admit I haven’t seen Maika Hamano play as much as I’d like, but her reputation precedes her. She has an infectious, jovialist energy—evident in a Chelsea media interview where she boasted about her ability to devour ice cream at an alarming speed. That kind of charisma, paired with dazzling dribbling ability, makes her a natural fan favorite.
Now an increasingly important piece of Chelsea’s attack, Hamano’s future looks bright.
Mike Havenaar – The Enigma
If you played FIFA or any of those old World Cup spin-off games, you probably stumbled across Mike Havenaar at some point, I certainly did.
A 6’4” striker with a Dutch surname wearing a Samurai Blue jersey? That’s enough to make anyone pause.
Intrigued, I tracked his career closely—catching him off the bench for Córdoba against Valencia in La Liga, seeing him move across Europe, and then, frustratingly, watching his return to Japan just before Vissel Kobe’s financial injection. Had he arrived a year or two earlier, perhaps he’d have become a club legend. Instead he went out on loan multiple times.
Despite his career fizzling out rather than flourishing, Havenaar has remained involved in Japanese football. In 2024, he was named Showa Town’s Sports and Cultural Ambassador, a role celebrating his career and ongoing influence. A curious, underrated figure in Japanese football history.
Mana Iwabuchi – The Playmaker Who Defined an Era
The 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup was a joyous affair for Japanese football fans, but for me, it was all about Mana Iwabuchi. Japan won, but more importantly, they won through her. Every attacking move seemed to flow through her feet, her vision unparalleled.
Her club career mirrored her fearlessness—leaving Japan early to test herself in Europe, returning home, and then heading back to the continent with Aston Villa before making appearances for both Arsenal and Tottenham. A footballing nomad, but one who always left her mark.
In 2023, injuries took their toll. “I feel I can no longer be the player I want to be,” she admitted after struggling with an ankle issue at Arsenal. She moved to Spurs in a last-ditch attempt to regain form ahead of the World Cup, but it wasn’t to be. While some might see her retirement as premature, there’s no denying the legacy she leaves behind—a career that began with a senior club debut at 14 and a trophy cabinet most players can only dream of.
Hiroki Iikura – The Wild Card
If you followed F. Marinos between 2017 and 2019, you know Hiroki Iikura wasn’t just a goalkeeper—he was a spectacle. This guy had no fear, often wandering as far as the halfway line, leaving fans in a state of perpetual anxiety.
And yet, despite his eccentricities, he was brilliant. A crucial figure in Ange Postecoglou’s high-risk, high-reward system, he was vital in Marinos’ transformation into a powerhouse.
His departure to Vissel Kobe in 2019 was bittersweet, made even more so by his farewell speech. He assured Marinos fans that he’d do everything in his power to stop their title rivals, effectively playing as an agent of chaos for his former club. True to his word, he played spoiler, and Marinos won the league.
That loyalty wasn’t just talk—he returned to Marinos in 2023. In an era where club allegiance feels like a relic of the past, Iikura proved that it still exists.
Jun Endo – A Road to Redemption
Jun Endo is one of the best contemporary players in Japanese football, though, at the moment, she’s stuck on the sidelines. A devastating ACL tear in early 2024 has kept her out of action, but if there’s one thing we know about Endo, it’s that she’s resilient.
A key figure for Angel City FC, she made an immediate impact in the NWSL after joining from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
Her road to recovery isn’t over, but when she’s back, she’ll undoubtedly remind everyone why she’s considered one of Japan’s brightest stars.
doragon sports 