Tomokazu Myōjin
Tomokazu Myōjin is a former professional footballer from Japan, known for his role as a midfielder.
He began his professional career with Kashiwa Reysol in 1996, where he quickly became a key player.
In 2006, Myōjin moved to Gamba Osaka, where he enjoyed significant success, including winning the AFC Champions League in 2008.
Biography
Early Life
Tomokazu Myōjin was born on January 24, 1978, in Kobe, Japan. He developed a passion for football at a young age, which led him to join the youth team of Kashiwa Reysol. His dedication and talent quickly propelled him into the professional realm.
Career
Myojin began his professional career with Kashiwa Reysol in 1996, where he made an immediate impact as a defensive midfielder. Under the guidance of manager Akira Nishino, he became a regular starter by 1998. His contributions helped Reysol secure the J.League Cup in 1999 and achieve third place in the J1 League for two consecutive years. However, after a decline in performance, the club was relegated to the J2 League at the end of the 2005 season.
In 2006, Myōjin transferred to Gamba Osaka, reuniting with Nishino. His time at Gamba marked a golden era, as the team won multiple titles, including the 2008 AFC Champions League and the 2008 Club World Cup. Despite a dip in form leading to relegation in 2012, Gamba bounced back, winning the J2 League in 2013 and achieving a historic treble in 2014. Myōjin retired from professional play at the end of the 2015 season.
Myojin also had a notable international career, representing Japan at various levels. He played for the U20 team in the 1997 World Youth Championship and was part of the U23 squad for the 2000 Summer Olympics. He earned 26 caps for the Japan national team from 2000 to 2002, including appearances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
In 2016, he briefly played for Nagoya Grampus before transitioning into management, where he was appointed as the manager of Gamba Osaka in July 2026.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Myojin was born in Kobe on 24 January 1978. He joined J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol from youth team in 1996. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. He became a regular player under manager Akira Nishino in 1998. In 1999, Reysol won the champions in J.League Cup and the 3rd place in J1 League. In 2000, Reysol won the 3rd place in J1 League for two years in a row and he was selected Best Eleven award. However the club results were sluggish from 2002 and was relegated to J2 League end of 2005 season. In 2006, Myojin moved to Gamba Osaka which was managed by Akira Nishino. He played as regular player with many Japan national team player and Gamba won the many title, 2007 J.League Cup, 2008 and 2009 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, Gamba also won the champions in 2008 AFC Champions League and the 3rd place in 2008 Club World Cup. This is the golden era in the club history and he was one of the central player under manager Nishino. However manager Nishino left Gamba end of 2011 season and the club performance deteriorated soon. In 2012, Gamba finished at the 17th place of 18 clubs and was relegated to J2 League. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2013, Gamba won the champions in 2013 J2 League and was returned to J1. In 2014, Gamba won all three major title in Japan, J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. He resigned end of 2015 season. In 2016, Myojin moved to Nagoya Grampus. However he could not play many matches. Grampus also finished at the…
In June 1997, Myojin was selected Japan U20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played full time in all 5 matches as defensive midfielder. In September 2000, he was selected Japan U23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. At this tournament, he played full time in all four matches as defensive midfielder with Junichi Inamoto. He was capped 26 times and scored 3 goals for the Japan national team between 2000 and 2002. He played three games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
On 18 July 2026, Myojin was appointed the manager of Gamba Osaka, after Jens Wissing departed for Al-Ittihad.
Club
International
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Myojin goal.
- Club
- Kashiwa Reysol (1996–2005)
- Club
- Gamba Osaka (2006–2016)
- Club
- Nagoya Grampus (2016–2016)
- Club
- Japan national under-20 association football team (1997–1997)
- Club
- Japan national under-23 football team (2000–2000)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2000–2002)
- Club
- AC Nagano Parceiro (2017–2018)
- National team
- Japan
Clubs
- Kashiwa Reysol1996–2005
- Japan national under-20 association football team1997–1997
- Japan men's national football team2000–2002
- Japan national under-23 football team2000–2000
- Gamba Osaka2006–2016
- Nagoya Grampus2016–2016
- AC Nagano Parceiro2017–2018
Played together with
- Adebayo AdigunKashiwa Reysol · 2009–2010
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorGamba Osaka · 2016
Adi RochaGamba Osaka · 2013–2013
Adriano Ferreira MartinsGamba Osaka · 2011–2011- Adriano PimentaNagoya Grampus · 2001–2001
- Adílson Ferreira de SouzaKashiwa Reysol · 2008–2009
Akhrik TsveibaGamba Osaka · 1994–1996- Akihiro HyodoKashiwa Reysol · 2011–2011
Akihiro IenagaGamba Osaka · 2004–2010- Akihiro IenagaGamba Osaka · 2012–2013
- Akihiro NagashimaGamba Osaka · 1983–1993
- Akihiro SatoGamba Osaka · 2012–2014
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Tomokazu Myojin is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Japan national team.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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