A place for young people who dream of becoming professional athletes, dedicating themselves to sports every day away from their parents.What kind of communal life are the young talents who will shoulder the future leading in such a player dormitory, which is indispensable for sports teams aiming for long-term growth?This time, with special permission from Vissel Kobe, we were allowed to cover the "Mikitani House" located near the practice field.

A nutritious meal taken after training helps to recover from fatigue and strengthen the body. Being surrounded by abundant nature leads to a relaxing environment, which in turn improves conditions. “Mikitani House” is a place where young players in their growth phase can concentrate on soccer and maximize their abilities. What kind of thoughts do the athletes living here have, and how do they spend their days? What feelings do the nutritionists, who support them, have when dealing with the athletes? What became apparent from there was Vissel Kobe’s development policy, nurturing autonomy without relying on the environment.

The “Mikitani House” stands in a quiet residential area near the practice field. After its completion in 2009, expansions have been carried out, leading up to the present.

“Mikitani House,” where approximately 30 young players cohabitate. The term “dormitory” often gives the impression of strict rules and regulations, but there are no such minute restrictions here. While practice times and meal times are fixed throughout the day, everything else is left to the discretion of the athletes. Juzo Ura emphasizes the importance of each individual living autonomously.

“I usually wake up around 6:30 in the morning, take a shower, and eat breakfast. I have practice starting from 10:00 , so I live my life based on that schedule. I leave the dormitory at 9:00 and go to the practice area early to stretch. To prevent injuries, it is essential to take time for preparation before practice and care after the game. After finishing practice or strength training, it’s free time from there on. I am making sure to eat properly and take naps to work on recovering my strength. Being able to control your own life is comfortable, but whether you choose to make an effort or become lazy is up to you.”As a professional soccer player, you are required to live autonomously,” says Juzo Ura.

Born in 2004, from Fukuoka Prefecture. Being known as the biggest neat freak in the dorm, I was shown even the inside of the room.

Upon visiting Ura’s room, one can see neatly arranged shoeboxes and neatly folded clothes, glimpsing the everyday life of an ordinary young person. Among them, the most notable are the signed jerseys of players like Iniesta and Sanperu, who once belonged to Vissel Kobe. Indeed, the success of top athletes who train together is said to be a great stimulus.

“Winning the J.LEAGUE was a great joy as a player, but there was a sense of regret as I was not able to be on the pitch at that moment. That’s exactly why I need to work even harder; it’s become my motivation,” (Juzo Ura).

When you head to the cafeteria, you’re greeted by the appetizing aroma of delicious food! As a dormitory where budding young athletes gather, items such as rice balls and bananas, which can easily replenish nutrients, are always available. In three meals a day, it seems that a menu that can intake more than 4000kcal per day is being arranged. Ms. Mikuni, who is demonstrating his skills as a dietitian, told us that he is considering menus while keeping in mind the condition of each athlete.

“Since they are high school and college students, I first make sure they can eat a substantial amount. I think about side dishes that go well with rice, and try various things such as reducing foods high in fat. That being said, because they are growing boys, whenever I serve hamburgers or curry, they disappear at an incredible rate (laughs). Instead of forcing them to eat highly nutritious food, I want them to eat meals while consciously thinking about nutrition. I also try to communicate with the athletes as I prepare the meals,” says Ms. Mikuni.

Ms. Mikuni, who used to work part-time in the kitchen of “Mikitani House” during his student days. After parting ways for a while, they returned as the head chef in 2023.

Precisely because these players are in the process of growth, it is important for them to acquire knowledge about nutrition on their own and build a strong body. Seeing such athletes grow is also a joy as a nutritionist.

“Seeing how the players, who were thin and small when they first entered the dormitory, grow larger and larger over the years, gives me a sense of fulfillment. If the meals we provide are contributing to their success, I’d be delighted,” says Ms. Mikuni.

Kaito Yamada, a player affiliated with Vissel Kobe Youth, is a defender who has been selected for the U-17 Japanese national team, but compared to the top team players, he is less experienced. Currently, I am aiming to gain weight in consultation with a nutritionist.

“The center back is a position where you absolutely cannot afford to lose in a physical contest. In order to acquire a robust body, I am strongly aware of meal management on a daily basis. Even when eating out, I send pictures of the food to a nutritionist and get advice,” says Kaito Yamada.

Born in 2006, originally from Hyogo Prefecture. In order to make the most of his tall height of 191cm, he is currently working hard to gain weight.

Moreover, if you are a player on a youth team, you will live under the same roof with many teammates, which can easily deepen your bonds. Such an environment is also turning out to be a plus for Yamada.

“When it’s time for tests, we gather in the cafeteria to study together, and on days off, we sometimes go to the movies. Everyday life is really enjoyable. Of course, we sometimes watch the games together. Since you’ll be spending time together both during soccer and in your private life, you’ll naturally become good friends. Since we are both teammates and rivals, I believe it’s an environment where we can constantly strive to improve each other,” (Kaito Yamada)

Whether you can utilize a relaxing living environment or a nutritious meal for soccer is up to you. By disciplining oneself and taking initiative, one can become stronger. It might be such a high level of professional consciousness that is being nurtured at Mikitani House. Who will be the next to spread their wings and fly from here? The treasures of Vissel Kobe are growing rapidly.

TEXT: Kodai Wada
INTERVIEW: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)
PHOTO: Teppei Hori