In 2025, the “Red Wall” — Urawa Reds’ legendary supporter section — shook the world at the FIFA Club World Cup. If you love football, watching Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium 2002 is one mission you need to complete during your time in Japan.
Here’s the algorithm for international visitors ready to dive into the madness.
1. Securing Tickets: Defining Your Place in the Stadium
Japan’s ticketing system looks complicated at first glance, but like any engineering problem, it’s straightforward once you understand the rules.
Use the official J-League website (available in English). It’s the most reliable gateway for international visitors.
Choosing your section:
- North Stand (Goal End) — This is not a spectator seat. It’s a battlefield. Only those ready to jump and chant for 90 straight minutes belong here. Wearing away team colors is strictly forbidden.
- Main/Back Stand (Reserved Seating) — If you want to watch world-class choreographed supporter displays and capture the full sonic pressure of the stadium from a comfortable seat, this is your optimal choice.
2. Logistics: Getting to Urawa-Misono
The stadium sits about 25 km (15 miles) north of central Tokyo.
Getting there — Take the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, which connects directly to the Saitama Railway (SR). Ride it to the terminus: Urawa-Misono Station.
The 1.2 km ritual — The road from the station to the stadium turns red hours before kickoff. Walking this “Red Brick Road” will show you firsthand how Japanese supporters manage to be both impeccably orderly and ferociously passionate at the same time.
3. Experiencing Japan’s Unique Stadium Culture
A Japanese football experience extends well beyond the pitch.
Stadium Gourmet (“Staguru”) — Japanese stadiums are renowned for their high-quality concession food — think curry rice, grilled skewers, and more. The quality will surprise you. Payment is smooth with cash or a contactless transit IC card like Suica or Pasmo.
Clean passion — After the final whistle, you’ll witness a stadium with virtually no litter on the ground. Intense enthusiasm paired with deep respect for shared spaces: that’s the J-League standard.
4. Why You Should Experience Urawa
As an engineer, what draws me to this club is the process itself — tens of thousands of individuals synchronizing into a single massive system (the chant), generating overwhelming energy from that collective coherence.
The “We are REDS” chant echoing through Saitama Stadium is not just a cheer. It’s the moment the entire stadium pulses as a single living organism.