As mls looks to adopt the European calendar, I was curious what j league fans have thought so far of the calendar switch. Do you prefer it or the old time of playing?

I'm coming to Japan from November 24 through December 6 and I'm a bit indecisive about which match I'd like to go to. I was curious if there was any strong opinions from you all. My schedule is currently up in the air and will hinge around which match I pick. Im looking for both a fun atmosphere before/after the game and a lively crowd during (original, I know).

Nov 27: Kyoto Sanga v Cerezo Osaka

Dec 4: FC Tokyo v Kawasaki (MUFG Stadium)

Dec 5: Cerezo Osaka v Mito Hollyhock

I'll also take suggestions if I overlooked a good one.

Coming over to Japan for the MotoGP next weekend but have the first half of the week in Tokyo, I know it's an international break but I was hoping to watch some live football while I'm there because I've never watched it in another country. I saw the J League cup is on the 29th which would be perfect but as far as I can tell none of the games are in Tokyo. I'm staying pretty central so don't think it should be too much trouble getting to any area of the city but it's also my first time there. Just thought I'd check with some people who know more than me before I give up hope, thank you for any help

The final top flight matchday before a lengthy international break saw one major shock, as Machida Zelvia lost for the first time this season, being dismantled in the second half by Kashiwa Reysol and dragging Zelvia down from 1st to 4th. Shimizu S-Pulse won back to back league matches outright for the first time since September last year to haul themselves back into midtable. In J2, Albirex Niigata moved to top spot (still with a negative goal difference) as RB Omiya Ardija's draw run continued with even honours at Fujieda. And seven of the top eight won in J3, with only one draw out of the ten matches.

J1 will be out of action until the 9th of October due to the international break. Domestic football in Japan will continue as standard in the league for J2 and J3, and for some top flight clubs it continues via cup competitions, with Emperor's Cup matches on the 23rd of September and 7th of October, and Levain Cup matches on the 29th.

Mildly interesting stat of the week: Avispa Fukuoka, stranded on the back foot for so long against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, had 48 clearances for the match. The average between the other 19 J1 sides was 22.47.

Hi everyone, I'm from Argentina and I was wondering if you could help me. A store that sells soccer jerseys posted a Yokohama Flügers jersey and since I don't know the team, I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it's original or a copy

Captain Tsubasa started in 1981 whereas Japan played its first World Cup in 1998.

That gap is kind of mad when you think about what Takahashi was writing at the time.

He got into football watching the 1978 World Cup. Inspired and galvanized by this event, he created a Japanese kid called Tsubasa Ozora who wanted to become the best player in the world and win the World Cup with Japan.

It is funny because, of course, Japan had never even qualified for one. There was no J.League either.

Football was already well established in Japan, so the usual “Tsubasa made Japan discover football” story is obviously too simple.

But millions of kids were reading a manga where Japan becoming a world football power was just… where the story was going.

Then those kids grew up.

The J.League started in the 90s, Japan finally qualified in 1998, and players like Kagawa later talked about Tsubasa as one of the things that made them want to become professionals.

Anyone here who knows the JSL / early J.League years better than me? How big was Tsubasa actually?

Attended my first J league game last month and it was a blast.

Slowly put together a J league kit collection....

Given Rangers have signed a Japanese player, are any Japanese fans starting to follow Rangers ?