Yamaha Stadium

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The biggest problem with visiting Japan and being a sports lover is finding out where the games are and how to get to the games.  While there is ample information about when the games are, it can be difficult to know how to get there; where to sit; and what to do at the games.  This is part of a series of posts designed to help you navigate to the stadium and enjoy the game as much as possible rather than getting lost in what to do.

*All information is valid as of the start of the 2019 season and subject to change.

Stadium Stats

  • Name: Yamaha Stadium
  • Location: Iwata, Shizuoka
  • Team: Jubilo Iwata
  • Main Station: Iwata Station (15 minute bus)
  • Alternative Stations: Hamamatsu Station (60 minute bus)
  • Capacity: 15,165

Yamaha Stadium

Team

Yamaha Stadium only has one main tenant, Jubilo Iwata.  Jubilo Iwata has been in the J League since 1994 but in 2014 and 2015 they were a J2 club.  For most of their history they have been in the top tier, J1, and continue to be a consistent J1 team.

Getting There

Getting to Iwata can be easy depending on where you start. Iwata is on the Tokaido Line but it isn’t a stop on the Shinkansen.  From Tokyo, the nearest Shinkansen stop is Kakegawa, using the Kodama service.  From Nagoya, Hamamatsu is the nearest Shinkansen stop.  Iwata Station is serviced by the following line:

  • JR Tokaido Main Line

From Iwata Station, head to the north exit and look for the shuttle bus to Yamaha Stadium.  The shuttle bus takes 15 minutes and runs from 3.5 hours before the game till the game ends.

Note:  It costs 230 yen each way.

From Hamamatsu Station, you can also take a shuttle bus to Yamaha Stadium.  Buses depart from Hamamatsu Station at roughly 2 hours before the game starts.  It takes 60 minutes.  Space is limited and the last bus departs at 1 hour 45 minutes before the game starts.

Note:  It costs 610 yen each way.

Seats

  • Box Seat 5 (ボックスシート – 南・北) – Reserved Box Seats (Up to 5 people per box)
  • SS/S Seat (SS・S指定席) – Reserved Seats (Main Stand)
  • A/B/C Seat (A・B・C指定席) – Reserved Seats (Back Stand)
  • GB Seat (GB指定席) – Reserved Seats (For fan club members only; these seats are under the away supporters seats)
  • Free Zone Home (フリーゾーン ホーム) – Free Seating (Note: Home fans only)
  • Free Zone Away (フリーゾーン アウェイ) – Free Seating (Note: Away fans only)

*Discounts available to fan club members.

Seat Layout & Single Match Ticket Prices

Yamaha Stadium

Tickets

Jubilo Iwata does not offer English services for purchasing tickets.  Tickets can only be purchased with knowledge of Japanese or at the box office on the day of the game.  The main box office is located at the south-west corner of the stadium.  Special tents are also setup in the main gate (south gate) village area.  Due to the size of the stadium, tickets are likely to sell out for major games.

Note that tickets are usually released 1-2 months in advance.

Jubilo Iwata has many options for purchasing tickets in Japanese:

Jubilo Iwata Supports Club

If you plan to watch many games, or buy a lot of merchandise, joining the fan club may be worthwhile.  It costs 4,000 JPY to for a 1 year membership, plus 1,000 JPY joining fee.  You get between 250 JPY and 700 JPY off every ticket purchased.  Members also get around a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased online at their official store.  The card is also used to track how often you go to games to win awards.

Same Day Tickets

Buying tickets on the day of the game, or at the stadium, is a small risk.  Most games are unlikely to sell out but this is not a guarantee.  It is important, if you can speak Japanese, to check the ticket availability for major games or games during the major holidays.

View from the Back Stands

Club Merchandise

Prior to the games, Jubilo Iwata sets up a plaza in front of the main gate on the south side of Yamaha Stadium.  There are a few tents with club merchandise, local items, and even a few visiting fan merchandise items.  There are a couple large tents setup for people to sit down and enjoy a meal.

Inside the stadium, there is a small merchandise shop at the main gate.  There is also a small merchandise stand at the top of the back stands as well as a few vendors and tables.

Jubilo Shop at Yamaha Stadium

Information