© 1983 キャプテン翼 / 土田プロ
Captain Tsubasa
キャプテン翼
Soccer boy Tsubasa Ozora's story. Set in Katsushika, Tokyo, author Yoichi Takahashi's hometown.
Synopsis
An enduring classic about Tsubasa Ozora, a boy whose motto is "The ball is my friend," as he grows up alongside his teammates with one dream: to become the greatest soccer player in the world. Yoichi Takahashi started serialising the manga in *Weekly Shonen Jump* in 1981, and Tsuchida Production produced the first TV anime in 1983. Many sequel series followed (*New Captain Tsubasa*, *Captain Tsubasa J*, *Road to 2002*, the 2018 reboot), and the franchise is beloved worldwide as "Olive et Tom," "Holly e Benji," "Captain Tsubasa," "足球小將" and more. Many real Japan national-team players have credited it as why they started playing — the cornerstone of modern Japanese soccer culture.
Why visit the real-life locations
Yoichi Takahashi's hometown of **Katsushika, Tokyo** is home to the **"Captain Tsubasa Road"** — a network of bronze statues of the characters around Yotsugi, Tateishi, Ohanajaya and other stations. Yotsugi Tsubasa Park, the Katsushika Okudo Sports Center (home of "Nankatsu SC," the real club inspired by the manga''s fictional team), and Aoto Heiwa Park make Katsushika the true town of Tsubasa Ozora. Real-life **Nankatsu SC**, founded in 2014, plays in lower divisions aiming for the JFL. The classic World Cup-season pilgrimage is touring the statues while soaking in the old-Tokyo (shitamachi) atmosphere.
Enjoy this title on Amazon
Manga, anime and streaming on Amazon
*As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
Pilgrimage guides for this work
Pilgrimage Spots（7 spots）
Yotsugi Tsubasa Park
📍 Katsushika, Tokyo
A park with a statue of Captain Tsubasa. The setting for Tsubasa Ozora's childhood.
Katsushika City Okudo General Sports Center
📍 Katsushika, Tokyo
The model area for Nankatsu SC. Katsushika, the hometown of Yoichi Takahashi.
Around Yotsugi Station
📍 Katsushika, Tokyo
An area dotted with bronze statues of Captain Tsubasa characters. Home ground of Nankatsu SC.
Tateishi, Katsushika Ward
📍 Katsushika, Tokyo
The hometown of Yoichi Takahashi. The downtown scenery that served as the model for Tsubasa and his friends.
Tsubasa Statue near Tateishi Station
📍 7 Tateishi, Katsushika, Tokyo
A bronze statue of Tsubasa Ozora from Captain Tsubasa in the Tateishi area.
Nankatsu SC Ground (Nankatsu High Model)
📍 7-17-1 Okudo, Katsushika, Tokyo
A soccer ground in Katsushika said to be the model for Nankatsu High in Captain Tsubasa.
Aoto Heiwa Park
📍 4-23-1 Aoto, Katsushika, Tokyo
A park in Katsushika. Evokes the parks where Captain Tsubasa characters practice.