Sanga Stadium by Kyocera

The octagonal footprint of the ground sits on a diamond-shaped plot. The roof resembles traditional ceramic tiles. The stands are steep, with the front row positioned only a handful of metres from the touchline, ensuring the crowd feels close to the action.

Inside, the seating is a distinct mix of purple and blue, with the word 'KYOTO' spelled out in yellow across one of the upper tiers. This branding anchors the venue in its prefecture, even as the commercial name, Sanga Stadium by Kyocera, reflects a corporate partnership. The facility opened in 2020, replacing the older Takebishi Stadium as the home of Kyoto Sanga FC. While the original plan listed a capacity of 21,600, the current official figure sits slightly lower at 21,293, likely due to safety regulations rather than physical changes to the structure.

Construction began in 2018 and was completed in under two years, a rapid timeline managed by a joint venture of Takenaka Corporation, Kosei Corporation, and Nagamura Corporation. The design team at Nikken Sekkei utilised wood sourced from Kyoto Prefecture for certain elements, adding warmth to the modern steel framework. A large digital screen hangs prominently under the roof, showing a live feed of the pitch, though the surrounding areas remain largely empty until matchday.

Beyond football, the stadium includes unique facilities such as Japan’s first indoor climbing gym meeting international standards, a 3x3 basketball court, and an eSports zone. A photovoltaic power plant on the roof generates clean energy, with power storage donated by Kyocera. The ground also serves as a community hub, hosting exhibitions for NHK Taiga historical TV dramas in its first year. The pitch itself is natural grass, maintained to professional standards for the J.League.