Rising like a concrete colossus over Shin-Yokohama, Nissan Stadium is the beating heart of Japanese football—a place where history was made and dreams still dance under the floodlights.
This is the home of Yokohama F. Marinos, one of the J.League’s most iconic clubs. But it’s also hallowed turf for global football, having hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final, multiple Club World Cup deciders, and countless international showdowns. A temple of the beautiful game? Absolutely.
📍 Location: 3300-1 Kozukuecho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0036, Japan
⚽ Home Team: Yokohama F. Marinos
🎟️ Capacity: 72,327
🏗️ Opened: 1998
unique features & quirks
🏆 World Cup Glory – The final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup was played here. Ronaldo (the original) bagged a brace. Enough said.
🎮 J.League Vibes – Nissan Stadium often appears in football video games due to its global status.
🏅A full athletic track rings the pitch, giving a touch of Olympic style to every matchday.
🌸 Seasonal Beauty – Surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring and bathed in autumn colour, it’s arguably the most picturesque stadium in Japan.
📸 Inside the stadium complex, fans can trace the club’s lineage back to its Nissan Motor FC days.
first impressions: the matchday experience
🔥 Atmosphere: Vast but vibrant. The Tricolore Pride ultras bring colour and voice to the South Stand, especially during Yokohama’s fast, attacking home games.
🎭 Iconic Traditions:
“We Are Marinos!” – Echoes through the ground before every kick-off. Club Anthem: “Yokohama ni Ikou” (Let’s Go to Yokohama) – a nostalgic ode to the city and club. Fireworks after goals – Yes, literal pyro when the Marinos score in key matches.
🍱 Stadium Food Game Is Elite – Bento boxes, karaage, yakisoba, and limited-edition local sweets at every game.
how to get to nissan stadium
🚶 Walking: 15-minute stroll from Shin-Yokohama Station (where the Shinkansen stops). Plenty of signage and other fans to follow.
🚆 Train:
Shin-Yokohama Station (JR & Yokohama Subway): Closest hub, direct links to Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond via Shinkansen. Kozukue Station (JR Yokohama Line): A smaller, quieter station just 10 mins away on foot.
🚗 Driving: Limited parking available near the stadium. Not recommended on matchdays due to congestion.
🚖 Taxi: Best pick-up/drop-off is near the East Gate.
📍 Address: 3300-1 Kozukuecho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 222-0036, Japan
tickets: how to get in to see the marinos
Official Club Website (English available) Ticket Pia / Lawson Ticket Machines (with translation apps) Stadium Box Office (limited availability on matchdays)
💰 Prices:
Adults: ¥2,000–¥4,500
High School Students: ¥1,000–¥2,000
Kids: Free to ¥1,000
Family and hospitality packages also available
where to eat before the game
🍜 Ramen Museum – Just 10 minutes away in Shin-Yokohama. A pre-match bowl of miso ramen is tradition.
🍱 Station to Stadium Vendors – Grab taiyaki, gyoza skewers or fried chicken on the walk over.
🥪 7-Eleven / Lawson / FamilyMart – Sounds odd, but konbini snacks are a beloved part of the matchday ritual in Japan.
best pubs & drinks nearby
🍺 HUB British Pub (Shin-Yokohama) – A go-to for expats and tourists as well as locals wanting pre- and post-match drinks.
🍶 Izakaya Gonpachi – Classic Japanese pub-style food and drinks, just a few blocks away.
🍷 Craft Beer Scene – Yokohama is the birthplace of Japanese beer. Sakura Taps is the place you’re looking for.
yokohama f. marinos: what’s the vibe?
📊 Current Form: Terrible! Unexpected relegation
⚡ Style: Inconsistent, many managerial changes in a short space of time.
🌟 Player to Watch: Asashi Uenaka, one of the few players to make a difference during the 2025 season.
the world cup final that defined a generation
🏆 On June 30, 2002, Nissan Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup Final—Brazil vs Germany.
Ronaldo’s goals secured Brazil’s fifth title. Oliver Kahn was consoled by Cafu. 69,029 fans witnessed history. It’s still talked about like a religious moment in football.
concerts & events
Beyond football, Nissan Stadium is one of Japan’s premier mega-event spaces:
🎤 BTS, X JAPAN, Ayumi Hamasaki, Arashi, and TWICE have all packed it out.
🏉 The Yokohama Eagles, a rugby team also play here.
🏃 Marathons & Cultural Fests – From relay races to seasonal matsuri (festivals), there’s always something happening.
things to do in yokohama
🗼 Minato Mirai 21 – A futuristic waterfront district packed with museums, rides, and city views.
🛍️ Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse – Perfect for indie shopping, live music and ocean views.
🎡 Cosmo World – A riverside amusement park with Japan’s most iconic ferris wheel.
🍜 Cup Noodles Museum – Make your own instant ramen—an oddly spiritual experience.
final verdict
Nissan Stadium is not just a football ground—it’s a cornerstone of modern Japanese sport and culture.
Its size doesn’t overshadow its soul. Whether you’re a lifelong Marinos fan or just passing through, there’s magic in those giant stands. From World Cup legacy to J.League drama, and ramen to rock concerts, this is Japan at its most dynamic and passionate.
📌 Pro Tip: Skip the queues and get a Suica card (available at any train station)—use it for trains, stadium food, even merch.
⚽ See you in Shin-Yokohama, where the echoes of Ronaldo still linger and the future of Asian football takes shape. 🌸
doragon sports 