jpJ3 League

Matsuyama, a city on Shikoku island — returning to J3 after relegation from J2 following two seasons.

The city of Gifu — finished 13th in J3 in the 2025 season.

Higashiosaka near Osaka — finished 3rd in the 2025 season while chasing promotion to J2.

Fukushima — a club with a symbolic mission to help the region recover after the 2011 nuclear disaster.

Tottori — represents Japan's least populous prefecture.

Kitakyushu on Kyushu island — an industrial city with a long football tradition.

Kagoshima in southern Kyushu — formed in 2014 through a merger of two local teams.

Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture — an area famous for udon noodles, which inspired the club's name.

Kochi on Shikoku island — formed in 2016 through a merger of two Shikoku League teams.

Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture — known for one of the loudest and most loyal fan bases in Japan.

The city of Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Nara — the only club from this historic prefecture in the professional J.League.

Hikone by Lake Biwa — promoted to J3 in 2025 under its new name after being renamed from Mio Biwako Shiga.

A club representing the entire Yamaguchi Prefecture — relegated from J2 after the 2025 season.

Kumamoto — plays at Egao Kenko Stadium, a symbol of the city's recovery after the 2016 earthquake; relegated from J2 after the 2025 season.

Okinawa — the only professional football club from this island prefecture.

Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Maebashi — the club previously played under the name Thespakusatsu Gunma.

Tochigi Prefecture (Utsunomiya) — finished 7th in J3 in the 2025 season.

Kanazawa — a city famous for gold leaf and traditional crafts.