One may wonder what Japanese football had to do with the Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium, but this is where their World Cup dreams were fulfilled, and when Larkin became a pilgrimage destination for those from the Land of the Rising Sun. [1/6]

16 November 1997, a date forever etched in Japan football folklore as the Blue Samurai secured qualification to the 1998 World Cup for the first time after defeating Iran in the playoff in Johor Bahru.

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Johor Darul Ta'zim FC's (JDT) relationship with Japan Football Association and the Johor Japan Friendship Association also led to the opening of the Johor Japan Football Gallery in January 2018.

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Based on the concept of ‘From Larkin To The World’, the gallery consists of two display rooms focusing on Japan’s success and the other on JDT’s rise to the top.

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The gallery includes momentos from the match, autographed items and plenty of captioned pictures capturing the moment in history.

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Tourists from Japan often visit the Larkin Stadium, some even kissing the ground that saw them announced their entry to the biggest stage in the football world. Japan have qualified for all World Cups since.

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