Kantoh Collegiate American Football Association

Kantoh Collegiate American Football Association
Sport	American football
Founded	1934
Motto	ONE PLAY, ONE SKY（ひとつ青い空の下、最高のワンプレーを。）
Sports fielded	1 (American football);
Headquarters	C/O AJINOMOTO STADIUM, 376-3, Nishimachi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
Region	Kanto, Japan
Most recent; champion	; (Waseda Bigbears football)
Official website	www.kcfa.jp

The Kantoh Collegiate American Football Association is an American college football league made up of colleges and universities in the Kanto region of Japan.

Overview

The Kanto League is the main university football league in eastern Japan. The league is divided into six divisions.

Under the previous format, the league winners played against teams from western Japan in the Koshien Bowl.

In 2024, the new format allows the top three schools to compete in the Koshien Bowl Tournament.

Other participating schools in the tournament are the top three schools from the Kansai Collegiate American Football League Division 1, and the winners of each league from Tohoku, Hokuriku, and Chugoku-Shikoku.

Member schools

Division 1

Prior to the 2014 season, the Kantoh league had two conferences. The winners of each conference would then play in the Azuma Bowl, to determine league champion. Starting in 2014, the league switched to a two division format, the Top 8 and Big 8. With the new format, there would be no championship game and the Top 8 conference would be the highest level of play, making the winner of that division the overall conference champion.^[1]^[2]

Top 8

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Team Founded	Colors
Hosei University 法政大学	Chiyoda, Tokyo	1880	Private	Orange	1935	Blue and Orange
Waseda University 早稲田大学	Shinjuku, Tokyo	1882	Private	Big Bears	1934	Maroon and White
Keio University 慶應義塾大学	Minato, Tokyo	1858	Private	Unicorns	1935	Red and Blue
Rikkyo University 立教大学	Toshima, Tokyo	1874	Private	Rushers	1934	Purple and White
University of Tokyo 東京大学	Tokyo	1877	National	Warriors	1957	Blue
Meiji University 明治大学	Tokyo	1881	Private	Griffins	1934	Gold, Navy, and Yellow^[3]
J. F. Oberlin University 桜美林大学	Machida, Tokyo	1921	Private	Three Nails Crowns	1968	Maroon and Gold
Chuo University 中央大学	Hachiōji, Tokyo	1885	Private	Racoons	1967	Blue

Big 8

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Team Founded	Colors
Komazawa University 駒澤大學	Setagaya, Tokyo	1592	Private	Blue Tide	1972
Aoyama Gakuin University 青山学院大学	Shibuya, Tokyo	1874	Private	Lightning		Green and White
Nippon Sport Science University 日本体育大学	Setagaya, Tokyo	1893	Private	Triumphant Lion
Kokushikan University 国士舘大学	Setagaya, Tokyo	1917	Private	Rhinoceros
Yokohama National University 横浜国立大学	Yokohama, Kanagawa	1876	National	Mastiffs	1971	Blue and Orange
Teikyo University 帝京大学	Itabashi, Tokyo	1931	Private	Gladiator
Meiji Gakuin University 明治学院大学	Yokohama, Kanagawa	1863	Private	Saints		Navy and Yellow
Tokai University 東海大学	Hiratsuka, Kanagawa	1942	Private	Tritons	1965	Blue and Silver

Division 2

In the 2025 season, Block B will have nine teams, so they will be divided into a first group of five teams and a second group of four teams, and will compete in a first and second league. The first league will be a round-robin format within the group, with the top three schools in Group 1 and the top two schools in Group 2 advancing to the second upper league, and the bottom two schools each moving on to the second lower league.

Block A

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Team Founded	Colors
Seikei University 成蹊大学	Musashino, Tokyo	1906	Private	Zelkovas
Kanagawa University 神奈川大学	Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa	1929	Private	Atoms	1974	White, Blue
Science Tokyo 東京科学大学	Meguro, Tokyo	2024 (Tokyo Tech: 1881)	National	Buffaloes	1987
National Defense Academy 防衛大学校	Yokosuka, Kanagawa	1953	Public	Cadets	1954
International Christian University 国際基督教大学	Mitaka, Tokyo	1949	Private (Christian)	Apostles	1963	Green
University of Electro-Communications 電気通信大学	Chōfu, Tokyo	1918	National	Crashers
Saitama University 埼玉大学	Saitama, Saitama	1873	National	Primrose
Tokyo Gakugei University 東京学芸大学	Koganei, Tokyo	1873	National	Snails

Block B

Institution	Group	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Team Founded	Colors
Senshu University 専修大学	1	Chiyoda, Tokyo	1880	Private	Green Machine	1963	Green
Hitotsubashi University 一橋大学	2	Kunitachi, Tokyo	1876	National	Crimson	1967	Crimson
University of Tsukuba 筑波大学	2	Tsukuba, Ibaraki	1872	National	Excaliburs		Light Blue
Shibaura Tech 芝浦工業大学	1	Koto, Tokyo	1927	Private	Fighting Engineers		Green
Kanto Gakuin University 関東学院大学	1	Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa	1884	Private	Hurricanes	1964
Sophia University 上智大学	2	Chiyoda, Tokyo	1913	Private	Golden Eagles	1969
Tokyo A&T 東京農工大学	2	Fuchū, Tokyo	1949	National	Blasters
Kogakuin University 工学院大学	1	Shinjuku, Tokyo	1887	Private	Crash Machines	1976
Nihon University 日本大学	1	Chiyoda, Tokyo	1889	Private		2024

Division 3

A Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname
Seijo University 成城大学	Setagaya, Tokyo	1950	Private	Orange Beams
Chiba University 千葉大学	Chiba, Chiba	1949	National	Poseidon
Ryutsu Keizai University 流通経済大学	Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki	1967	Private	Dragons
Dokkyo University 獨協大学	Sōka, Saitama	1883	Private	Green Monsters
Rissho University 立正大学	Shinagawa, Tokyo	1872	Private	Bulldogs
Sōka University 創価大学	Hachiōji, Tokyo	1971	Private	Souka Blue Lions
Daito Bunka University 大東文化大学	Itabashi, Tokyo	1923	Private	Wild Boars

B Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Colors
Takushoku University 拓殖大学	Bunkyo, Tokyo	1900	Private	Rattlesnakes	Orange and Black
Tokyo University of Science 東京理科大学	Shinjuku, Tokyo	1881	Private	Rascals
Asia University of Japan 亜細亜大学	Musashino, Tokyo	1941	Private	Angels
Chiba University of Commerce 千葉商科大学	Ichikawa, Chiba	1950	Private	Lycaonpictus
Niigata University 新潟大学	Niigata, Niigata	1870	National	Tigers
Yokohama City University 横浜市立大学	Yokohama, Kanagawa	1882	Public	Fighting Seagulls
Hakuoh University 白鴎大学	Oyama, Tochigi	1986	Private	Rascals

C Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Colors
Toyo University 東洋大学	Bunkyo, Tokyo	1887	Private	Vikings
Musashi University 武蔵大学	Nerima, Tokyo	1922	Private	Pheasants
Tokyo Keizai University 東京経済大学	Kokubunji, Tokyo	1900	Private	Falcons
Tokyo City University 東京都市大学	Setagaya, Tokyo	1949	Private	Helios
Tokyo University of Agriculture 東京農業大学	Setagaya, Tokyo	1891	Private	Aggies	Green
Tamagawa University 玉川大学	Machida, Tokyo	1929	Private	Stallions

D Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname	Colors
Gakushuin University 学習院大学	Toshima, Tokyo	1847	Private	Generals	Dark Blue and Pink
Tokyo International University 東京国際大学	Kawagoe, Saitama	1965	Private	Dolphins
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies 東京外国語大学	Fuchū, Tokyo	1873	National	Phantoms
Tokyo Metropolitan University 東京都立大学	Hachiōji, Tokyo	1949	Public	Scrappers
Takachiho University 高千穂大学	Suginami, Tokyo	1903	Private	Eagles
University of Yamanashi 山梨大学	Kōfu/Tamaho, Yamanashi	2002	National	Wyverns

Medical and Dental Division

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname
Jikei University School of Medicine 東京慈恵会医科大学	Minato, Tokyo		Private	Crickets
Dokkyo Medical University 獨協医科大学	Mibu, Tochigi	1973	Private	Silver Dum Dums
University of Tokyo School of Medicine 東京大学医学部	Tokyo		National	Scorpions
Showa Medical University 昭和医科大学	Tokyo	1928	Private	Maddogs
Nihon University School of Medicine, School of Dental, and School of Dental in Matsudo 日本大学医学部・歯学部・松戸歯学部	Chiyoda, Tokyo		Private	Boars
Saitama Medical University 埼玉医科大学	Moroyama, Saitama	1892	Private	Mulberry
Keio University School of Medicine 慶應義塾大学医学部	Minato, Tokyo		Private	Unicorns

7-a-side American football Division

A Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname
Tokyo University of Technology 東京工科大学	Hachioji, Tokyo	1947	Private	Cerberus
Meikai University Dental school 明海大学歯学部	Urayasu, Chiba	1970	Private	Crusaders
Kyorin University 杏林大学	Tokyo	1970	Private	Cavaliers
The Nippon Dental University 日本歯科大学	Chiyodaku, Tokyo	1907	Private	Bombers

B Block

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname
Meisei University 明星大学	Hino, Tokyo	1951	Private	Silver Knights
Tokyo Medical University 東京医科大学	Minato, Tokyo	1916	Private	Meribibazu
Surugadai University 駿河台大学	Hanno, Saitama	1987	Private	Cougars
Bunkyo University / Science Tokyo Medical School Joint Team	Shinagawa, Tokyo Bunkyō, Tokyo	1927 2024	Private National	Odin Stones

Not participating in league match

Institution	Location	Founded	Type	Nickname
Nippon Tech 日本工業大学	Miyashiro, Saitama	1907	Private	River Horse
St. Marianna University School of Medicine 聖マリアンナ医科大学	Kawasaki, Kanagawa	1971	Private	Roadrunners
Toho University School of Medicine 東邦大学医学部	Ota, Tokyo	1925	Private
Tsurumi University School of Dental 鶴見大学歯学部	Yokohama, Kanagawa	1953	Private

Past Champions

1947 - Meiji
1948 - Keio
1949 - Keio
1950 - Keio
1951 - Rikkyo
1952 - Rikkyo
1953 - Rikkyo
1954 - Rikkyo
1955 - Nihon
1956 - Nihon
1957 - Nihon
1958 - Nihon
1959 - Nihon
1960 - Rikkyo
1961 - Nihon
1962 - Nihon
1963 - Nihon
1964 - Nihon
1965 - Rikkyo
1966 - Nihon
1967 - Nihon
1968 - Meiji
1969 - Nihon
1970 - Nihon
1971 - Nihon
1972 - Hosei
1973 - Nihon
1974 - Nihon
1975 - Meiji
1976 - Meiji
1977 - Nihon
1978 - Nihon
1979 - Nihon
1980 - Nihon
1981 - Nihon
1982 - Nihon
1983 - Nihon
1984 - Nihon
1985 - Meiji
1986 - Nihon
1987 - Nihon
1988 - Nihon
1989 - Nihon
1990 - Nihon
1991 - Senshu
1992 - Hosei
1993 - Nippon Sport Science
1994 - Hosei
1995 - Hosei
1996 - Hosei
1997 - Hosei
1998 - Hosei
1999 - Hosei
2000 - Hosei
2001 - Hosei
2002 - Waseda
2003 - Hosei
2004 - Hosei
2005 - Hosei
2006 - Hosei
2007 - Nihon
2008 - Hosei
2009 - Hosei
2010 - Waseda
2011 - Nihon
2012 - Hosei
2013 - Nihon
2014 - Nihon
2015 - Waseda
2016 - Waseda
2017 - Nihon
2018 - Waseda
2019 - Waseda
2020 - Nihon
2021 - Hosei
2022 - Waseda
2023 - Hosei
2024 - Hosei
2025 - Waseda

Number of Championships


Institution	Number of Championships
Nihon University	35
Hosei University	20
Waseda University	8
Rikkyo University	6
Meiji University	5
Keio University	3
Senshu University	1
Nippon Sport Science University	1

Main match venues

Aminovital Field (Ajinomoto Stadium's sub-ground)
Komazawa Olympic Park, No.2 ball sports ground
Yokohama Stadium
Tokyo Dome
Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki
Spears EDORIKU Field (Edogawa Stadium)

In addition, the grounds of each university will be used.

References

^ "Kantō League Division I 2015". American Football in Japan. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
^ "Kanto heavyweights set to meet with title hanging in balance". Japan Times. 21 November 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
^ "Meiji Griffins Team Info". Meiji Griffins football. Archived from the original on November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.

External links

Official website

[1] "Kantō League Division I 2015". American Football in Japan. Retrieved December 3, 2015.

[2] "Kanto heavyweights set to meet with title hanging in balance". Japan Times. 21 November 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2015.

[3] "Meiji Griffins Team Info". Meiji Griffins football. Archived from the original on November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.

[1]

[2]

[3]

Collegiate American football in Japan
East Japan	Kanto Hokkaido Tohoku
West Japan	Chushikoku Hokuriku Kansai Kyūshū Tokai
Bowl games	Azuma American Christmas Heiwadai Ivy Japan Japan X Koshien (All-Japan Collegiate Football Championship) Legacy Mirage Pearl Pine Rice Tokyo Western Japan
People	Masafumi Kawaguchi Joe Roth Paul Rusch David Stant
Seasons	2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Major venues	National Stadium Sapporo Dome Tomahawks Field Tokyo Dome Yokohama Stadium Yurtec Stadium Sendai
See also	American football in Japan Eyeshield 21 IFAF Asia JAFA Japan national American football team List of Japanese collegiate American football programs Paul Rusch Cup X-League