Stadiums in Japan: Ichihara Seaside Stadium

Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture

Ichihara Stadium deserves the prize as the "ugly duckling" among J.League stadiums. It is small, cramped, unattractive, and yet despite its tiny size, it has a huge running track around the field, so fans feel as if they are far away from the action. Surely a J.League club should have a better stadium than this, and indeed, the J.League had to set its minimum stadium capacity at 15,000 specifically to accomodate JEF United, which calls this stadium "home"

If that were not bad enough, the stadium isnt even easy to get to. It is located on a relatively un-popular train line between Tokyo and Chiba, and it is so far from the train station that it is necessary to take a bus. Worse still, there are only two major parking areas in the area around the stadium, and they can accomodate just 4000 vehicles! To add insult to injury, after making all that effort to get to the stadium, JEF charges some of the highest ticket prices of any team in the league. Is it any wonder that the team consistently draws among the smallest crowds in the J.League?
Because of this situation, JEF has begun holding many of its "home" matches at such remote locations as Matsumoto Stadium and even Miyagi Stadium! No doubt, the team needs a new stadium, but there are few options in the vicinity. The best alternative appears to be to move the team to another city, since Ichihara has never really shown much hometown loyalty to the team. However, in preparing for a move to the larger city of Chiba, next door to Ichihara, the team managed to alienate its former home town and many fans as well. In any event, if you are a JEF United fan, and you want to "enjoy" a football match, for goodness sake, go to one of the team's away matches!

Ichihara Seaside Stadium

Location:Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture		Capacity: 15,338
Home Team(s): JEF United Ichihara		Completed: 1987

Stadium Access
From JR Itsui Station, on the JR Uchibo line, it is a 30 minute walk to the stadium. There are free shuttle buses on match days that leave from the west exit of Itsui station, but some or our readers have indicated that the service only operates for an hour or so immediately preceding the match. If you plan to arrive early, you may have no choice but to walk or take a taxi. Taxi fare is about 600 yen.
Click to enlarge

Ticket Prices
General admission:
Adults Y2,500; Children Y900
A Zone Unreserved:
Adults Y3,000; Children Y1,300
S Zone Reserved:
Y4,000
SS Zone reserved:
Y5,000
Box seats:
Y6,000