Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara stands as a unique outlier in Japanese women’s football, a club forged not in grassroots movements but in a corporate boardroom. Born from the deliberate ambition of electronics retailer Nojima Corporation in 2012, the club was created with the singular goal of becoming the “star of Kanagawa”. This identity was spectacularly realized through a meteoric, calculated ascent, culminating in an unbeaten 2016 promotion to Division 1. A year later, they cemented their narrative as tenacious underdogs with a legendary “giant-killer” run to the 2017 Empress’s Cup final. While now navigating the challenges of the fully professional WE League, the club’s soul remains a fascinating blend of corporate engineering, a lion-hearted competitive spirit, and a deep commitment to its Sagamihara community.
The Full Story
For a deep dive into the club’s history, culture, iconic players, and stadium guide, read our complete Gateway Guide: The Star of Sagamihara.
The Squad: Key Players
This section highlights the most important players for the current season. For the full squad list, please see the official Gateway Guide.
- Mayu Otake Player Profile
- Juri Ito Player Profile
- Uruha Iwasaki Player Profile
- Chinari Sasai Player Profile
Club Vitals
- Full Name: Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara
- Founded: 2012
- Home Ground: Sagamihara Gion Stadium
- Major Honours:
- Nadeshiko League Division 2 Champions – 1
- Empress’s Cup Runners-up – 1
- Biggest Rivalry: NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza