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Fans turned out in their droves to welcome Borussia Dortmund during the club's pre-season tour of Japan.

Fans turned out in their droves to welcome Borussia Dortmund during the club's pre-season tour of Japan. - © Hendrik Deckers

Fans turned out in their droves to welcome Borussia Dortmund during the club's pre-season tour of Japan. - © Hendrik Deckers

bundesliga

Recap Borussia Dortmund's pre-season tour in Japan

01.08.2026

Borussia Dortmund returned to Germany on 2 August after concluding another memorable pre-season tour of Japan.

Dortmund's Evonik-sponsored tour of Japan ran from 26 July to 2 August, marking the club's fourth pre-season visit to the country following previous trips to Tokyo in 2015 and 2017, and Osaka in 2024.

Alongside a packed schedule of fan events, community initiatives and commercial activities, BVB played two friendlies, opening with a 1-0 defeat to Shinji Kagawa's Cerezo Osaka before bouncing back with a 1-0 victory over FC Tokyo, courtesy of Fabio Silva's second-half winner.

Watch: FC Tokyo 0-1 Dortmund - highlights

FC Tokyo 0-1 Borussia Dortmund - highlights

Recap Dortmund's Japan tour below...

1:05

Watch: Kovač and Ricken after Tokyo win

Kovač talks up Albert

Niko Kovač singled out Mathis Albert for praise, as the American teen continues to impress in pre-season. "You can see what abilities he has. He's fast, strong in the air, and I have to say he put in a lot of effort," the BVB coach explained.

© IMAGO/Bahho Kara

Anton approves

Defender Waldemar Anton, who captained Dortmund today, said: "It was a good test for the lads who played for the first time today. You could tell that at times they were fresher and more agile than we were. Still, we had a lot of control in the first half and good chances to take a 1-0 lead. We need to capitalise on those better and play a little better in our final third. We finished the week on a high note. I’m glad we came away with the win here.”

© Masashi Hara

Proud Ricken

Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken said: “In the end, there’s no substitute for a win, even if it was just a friendly. It’s important to me that the players were rewarded – they deserve it for the way they represented BVB on this trip. We've seen a lot of what we’ve worked on in training. In that sense, we can call it a successful week."

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

Happy boss

Dortmund coach Niko Kovač said after the 1-0 win against FC Tokyo: "We are pleased with the week here. We did a lot of marketing, the boys had fun, we trained well, and the friendly today was better. I am pleased about the performance of my young players, above all. They tried to show what they can offer, and now we are travelling home for the final three weeks of preparations."

© IMAGO/Sven Hanisch

0:47

Watch: Inácio and the fans

0:15

Watch: Love for Guirassy in Tokyo

Full-time: FC Tokyo 0-1 Dortmund

Dortmund signed off on their tour of Japan with a win in a keenly contested friendly. After Beier had a big chance to give the Bundesliga outfit a lead in the first half, Silva slotted home the decisive goal nicely after a brilliant turn in the 54th minute. Tokyo pushed for an equaliser, while Reggiani was also denied by the post as Dortmund hunted a late second goal.

© Masashi Hara

0:31

Watch: Silva sends Dortmund in front

A stylish finish from striker Fabio Silva gave Dortmund a 1-0 lead a few minutes into the second half.

0:23

Watch: Some atmosphere before kick-off!

Restart planned

The stadium announcer has said the match is due to restart at 8pm local time, which is 1pm CEST.

0:24

Watch: Match suspended

The rain turned torrential during the first half, leading to the referee taking the players off after 33 minutes with the score goalless. There is an official thunderstorm alert in the Tokyo area, and we must wait and see if play can resume.

0:10

Watch: Fans braving the rain in Tokyo

1 August: Dortmund fans unite in Tokyo

The club opened a fan embassy in the Japanese capital ahead of Saturday's friendly match against FC Tokyo at 12 noon CEST (7pm JST), with over 150 fans coming and club legends Patrick Owomoeyla, Roman Weidenfeller and Jo-Hoo Park signing autographs.

0:16

Watch: That's one way to sign shirts!

0:21

Watch: Bellingham and Chukwuemeka imbibing the culture pitchside

0:26

Watch: BVB training ahead of FC Tokyo friendly

On the evening before the friendly match against FC Tokyo, Dortmund hosted their final public training session of their Japan Tour. Around 1,000 fans were in attendance at the National Stadium to watch the session, get autographs and take photos with the BVB stars. The game takes place on Saturday (kick-off: 12pm CEST).

0:08

Watch: Beier tries to keep it together in press conference

0:29

Watch: BVB exploring Tokyo

1:10

Watch: Inácio looking ahead with Dortmund

Dortmund colours adorn Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

After bringing their World Street Series street football tournament to around 300 children in the shadow of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building during the day, the iconic Tokyo landmark was lit up in BVB's trademark black-and-yellow colours in the evening.

© Hendrik Deckers

Carsten Cramer: 'We've had so many positive experiences'

Speaking at the event was spokesperson for the BVB Board of Management, Carsten Cramer, who welcomed those in attendance. “Returning to Japan for the fourth time makes us truly proud. We’ve had so many positive experiences. No matter where we go, the Japanese community welcomes us with open arms and great enthusiasm. Therefore, on behalf of our club, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Japanese community,” he said.

© JonasxRichter

31 July: Dortmund celebrate 'Black & Yellow Night' in Tokyo

On Thursday evening, Borussia Dortmund hosted 'Black & Yellow Night' in a rooftop bar in Tokyo as part of their Japan tour. Attendees had the chance to meet with BVB representatives in a relaxed environment.

© Hendrik Deckers

1:32

Watch: 'Sustainable relationship' with Japan

1:57

Watch: Jobe's A-Z challenge

0:10

Watch: Wave for the camera!

0:16

Watch: An ordinary day at Shibuya Crossing?

Brand-new third kit

Dortmund have now officially launched their third kit for the 2026/27 season. There are worse places to don a new jersey for the first time...

© Harry Ahn

0:17

Watch: Autographs aplenty

0:11

Watch: Stop it, Felix!

0:16

Watch: Rondos in Japan

0:15

Watch: Keepy-uppies with Dortmund stars

These Japanese youngsters will be the most popular kids in their class after practising keepy-uppies with Felix Nmecha and Alexander Meyer on Thursday.

30 July: Kovač reflects on friendly

It's a new day for Dortmund in Japan, but first let's bring you some reaction from head coach Niko Kovač to Wednesday's narrow defeat to Cerezo Osaka. “It was a good test for our young team,” he said. “The lads won’t get to play together in that system very often. That’s just how it is in pre-season after a major tournament. The international players are joining the squad one by one, but you never want to lose games - no matter the circumstances.”

© Hendrik Deckers

Full time: Cerezo Osaka 1-0 Dortmund

Niko Kovać's side suffered a narrow defeat in the opening friendly of their Japan tour. Dortmund youngster Roméo Ritter had a stoppage-time strike disallowed, but Solomon Sakuragawa's eighth-minute header ultimately proved the difference.

© Hendrik Deckers

0:06

Watch: Half-time keepy-uppies

Half-time: Cerezo Osaka 1-0 Dortmund

Dortmund improved after falling behind and went close to restoring parity through Justin Lerma and Serhou Guirassy - but the home side have remained a threat at the other end.

© Hendrik Deckers

0:20

Watch: Yamamoto signs autographs before kick-off

Osaka strike first!

Solomon Sakuragawa's header has given the hosts a 1-0 lead against their Bundesliga opponents. Niko Kovač has named a young side against Osaka, who have Borussia legend Shinji Kagawa in their starting XI.

0:20

Watch: Warm-up time!

0:17

Watch: Players arrive for friendly

0:11

Watch: Atmosphere building in Osaka

0:12

Watch: Dortmund fans gather outside stadium

29 July: Minute's silence before friendly

Dortmund's first friendly of their Japan tour - against Cerezo Osaka - will get under way at 12 noon CEST. There will be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the victims of the earthquake which struck the country on Tuesday morning.

© Hendrik Deckers

Dortmund ambassador?

Former Borussia star Shinji Kagawa was presented with a trophy at the club’s team hotel on Tuesday to mark 20 years in professional football. The 37-year-old was also invited to become a Dortmund ambassador, with managing director Carsten Cramer saying: “You’ve been a professional for 20 years now, and we want to honour you for that.”

© Hendrik Deckers

0:22

Watch: Bellingham and Nmecha showcase their skills

0:22

Watch: Dortmund train in Japan

28 July: Earthquake in Japan – Dortmund delegation unharmed

The start of Borussia Dortmund’s tour of Japan was overshadowed on Tuesday morning (local time) by a severe earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. Kumamoto Prefecture in the south-west of the country has been particularly hard hit. According to the latest information, no one in the BVB delegation has been injured. The team continued with their programme as planned, starting with their first training session.

Black-Yellows on the ball

Dortmund also found time on their first day in Japan for some football, as they trained in the evening ahead of their friendly match on Wednesday.

© Hendrik Deckers

0:11

Watch: Beier greets fans

All-action in Osaka

Dortmund's first day in Japan included a boat ride, visit to Osaka Castle and a climb up an observation tower, with the trips used to advertise Wednesday's friendly match with Cerezo Osaka on Wednesday (kick-off 9pm local time/ 12pm CEST).

© Harry Ahn

0:53

Watch: Jobe Bellingham interview

The Englishman on his development at Dortmund and the club's presence in Asia.

0:34

Watch: Boat tour through the city

Seeing Shinji

The Dortmund players met up with former club legend Kagawa on the first day of the tour in Osaka.

© Borussia Dortmund

0:33

Watch: Dortmund arrive in Japan

Dortmund's Osaka association

Dortmund launched an official partnership with Cerezo Osaka in January focused on youth development. Former Dortmund legend Shinji Kagawa developed at and now plays for the club, who Dortmund are playing in a friendly on Wednesday, while Gamba Osaka recently loaned 18-year-old Takato Yamamoto to Dortmund for a year.

© IMAGO/Naoki Morita

0:58

Watch: Midfield stars rate their teammates

27 July: Touchdown

Dortmund landed in Tokyo on Monday morning and travelled on to Osaka and their base for the first part of their tour, where they greeted eager fans.

© Borussia Dortmund

In the comfy seats

With a flight time of approximately 12 hours, Dortmund are scheduled to touch down at around 9am local time on Monday. Takato Yamamoto (pictured), the 18-year-old midfielder who joined the BVB reserves earlier this month from Gamba Osaka, returns to his homeland as part of the wider first-team pool.

© Borussia Dortmund

26 July: Next stop: Japan!

Dortmund are on their way! BVB's flight departed Germany at 2pm CEST as they begin their eight-day trip. A total of 28 players are on board, including Serhou Guirassy and Jobe Bellingham. However, Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson and Marcel Sabitzer are not involved following their participation at the World Cup, while injured duo Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck have remained in Germany.

© Borussia Dortmund

Kovač's post-match assessment

“You could already see today that we really stepped it up a notch in our second week of training. Our legs were heavy. The first half was okay. In the second half, our resistance wasn’t quite what I had in mind. But we don’t want to read too much into it. Everyone gave it their all, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.”

© IMAGO/Sven Hanisch

Niko Kovač on Mathis Albert

“You can see what skills he has. He’s very fast and a strong dribbler. I have to say, he really gave it his all today. He scored the goal in his own style, with plenty of technique and speed. You can definitely see that we have some very talented lads, and we want to try to integrate one or two of them into the team. And he’s certainly one of them.”

© IMAGO/Bahho Kara

25 July: Albert shines as Dortmund suffer Düsseldorf defeat

At the end of the second week of training, Dortmund lost their second friendly encounter of pre-season 2-1 to 3. Liga outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf. In what was a very young side fielded by Niko Kovač, 17-year-old Mathis Albert opened the scoring for Die Schwarzgelben, rounding Fortuna goalkeeper Lasse Rieß in the 20th minute to give his side the lead in the first half. However, the hosts came out with a point to prove in the second 45 and managed to pull off a comeback victory thanks to second-half strikes from Fabian Schleusener and Anas Slimani.

© IMAGO/Sven Hanisch

0:31

Watch: Yamamoto shines on BVB debut

Yamamoto catches the eye

Somewhat fittingly ahead of their tour, Japanese youngster Takato Yamamoto caught the eye in BVB's first friendly of pre-season, scoring in a 3-1 win over Rot-Weiß Oberhausen (highlights below). The 18-year-old joined Dortmund's reserves on a season-long loan from Gamba Osaka in July and will travel with the senior squad back to his homeland. "He had some good moments. I saw real potential, and that's positive for us," Kovač said after the game.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Buriakov

Who isn't going?

Captain Emre Can and deputy Nico Schlotterbeck (pictured) are both injured and will remain in Dortmund. Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson and Marcel Sabitzer will also sit out this tour following their endeavours at the World Cup.

© IMAGO/Justus Stegemann

Travelling squad

Borussia have announced a preliminary travelling party of 20 players consisting of: Alexander Meyer, Patrick Drewes, Diant Ramaj, Yan Couto, Waldemar Anton, Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier, Carney Chukwuemeka, Fabio Silva, Joane Gadou, Daniel Svensson, Justin Lerma, Filippo Mané, Samuele Inácio, Mathis Albert, Almugera Kabar, Takato Yamamoto, Luca Reggiani

© IMAGO/David Inderlied

0:32

Watch: Dortmund return to training

Niko Kovač welcomed back his squad after their summer holidays on 14 July as they look to build on last season's runners-up finish in the Bundesliga.

1:06

Watch: Dortmund delighting Japanese fans

BVB last travelled to Japan in 2024 and were happily welcomed by the local fans.

1:25

Watch: Top 5 Japanese goals

Kagawa features among our compilation of some of the best Japanese strikes in the Bundesliga.

Two matches and a reunion

Dortmund will spend eight days in Japan from 26 July to 2 August, split between Osaka and Tokyo. Two friendly matches have been scheduled against Cerezo Osaka - current home of ex-BVB star Shinji Kagawa (pictured) - on 29 July (7pm local time/12pm CEST) and FC Tokyo on 1 August (7pm/12pm).

© imago/Kirchner-Media

Konnichiwa!

Borussia Dortmund are off to Japan this summer, and you can keep up with all the latest news, events and friendly matches from the Bundesliga club as they take in the sights and sounds of Osaka and Tokyo on their fourth trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

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