Captain Tsubasa Statue

In short

A total of nine bronze statues of characters from the soccer manga "Captain Tsubasa" are placed across Yotsugi and Tateishi in Katsushika City. Because the creator, Takahashi Yoichi, is a native of Yotsugi and graduated from Minami-Katsushika High School in Tateishi, statues of the main character Ozora Tsubasa and his rivals greet visitors in front of parks and schools.

• ​Tsubasa's Heel Lift​​: At Tateishi 1-chome Children's Playground near Keisei-Tateishi Station, an elementary school-aged Tsubasa is depicted pulling off his signature heel lift move.
• ​A Park Named "Tsubasa"​​: A bronze statue of Ozora Tsubasa stands in Yotsugi Tsubasa Park, nestled in a residential neighborhood of Yotsugi.
• ​A Station Immersed in the Series​​: Keisei's Yotsugi Station is decorated with "Captain Tsubasa" artwork, extending even to the station floors and ceilings.

History and Highlights

"Captain Tsubasa" is a soccer manga serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" beginning in 1981. Depicting the growth of young soccer player Ozora Tsubasa as he competes with rivals across the country, it became popular worldwide alongside its anime adaptation.

The creator, Takahashi Yoichi, is from Yotsugi, Katsushika City. "Nankatsu City," the town portrayed as the place where Tsubasa spends his elementary and junior high school years, is named after the abbreviation of Minami-Katsushika High School in Tateishi, Takahashi's alma mater.

Katsushika City began urban development themed around "Captain Tsubasa" in fiscal year 2012. In March 2013, the first statue of the protagonist Ozora Tsubasa was erected in Yotsugi. Later, nine bronze character statues in total were placed across parks and other locations in Yotsugi and the adjacent Tateishi district. The city has produced a walking map for touring the statues in both Japanese and English.

At Tateishi 1-chome Children's Playground near Keisei-Tateishi Station, there is a bronze statue of elementary schooler Ozora Tsubasa executing a bold heel lift. In the story, Tsubasa faces Meiwa FC, led by his rival Hyuga Kojiro, in the final match of the National Boys Soccer Tournament. This match includes a scene where Tsubasa blows past Kojiro using this exact technique shown in the statue.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Tsubasa's Heel Lift​​: The statue at Tateishi 1-chome Children's Playground captures Tsubasa in his elementary school days executing the daring heel lift move. It is about a 3-minute walk from Keisei-Tateishi Station.
• ​Tsubasa at Yotsugi Tsubasa Park​​: Located in a residential area of Yotsugi, Yotsugi Tsubasa Park bears the word "Tsubasa" in its name. Inside the park stands a bronze statue of Ozora Tsubasa. The open ground is enclosed by high net fences, allowing visitors to play with balls.
• ​Twin Shot Commemorative Photo​​: A bronze statue of Ozora Tsubasa also stands in front of the main gate of Tokyo Metropolitan Minami-Katsushika High School. By placing your foot by the ball in the position of his teammate Misaki Taro next to Tsubasa, you can take a commemorative photo reenacting the "Twin Shot," the special move where two players kick the ball simultaneously.

Walking Tips

To tour the statues, starting your walk from Yotsugi Station—about 5 minutes from Oshiage Station on the Keisei Oshiage Line—is recommended. Yotsugi Station is covered with "Captain Tsubasa" decorations across its floors, ceilings, and even restrooms. As trains approach, the anime's theme song "Moete Hero" plays. After exiting the station, you can meet the statue of Tsubasa's rival Hyuga Kojiro at Yotsugi Park, and the statue of Ozora Tsubasa at Yotsugi Tsubasa Park. Afterward, head toward Tateishi to see Tsubasa's heel lift near Keisei-Tateishi Station. To visit all nine statues, the walk from Yotsugi Station to the area around Ohanajaya Station on the Keisei Main Line covers about 4.3 kilometers. It is also recommended to combine this with a stroll through the town of Tateishi.