Akita Prefecture has traditionally been famous for its rice. But, in recent years, the quality of young soccer talent coming out of the area's high schools has caught the media spotlight.
Local teams, such as the one from Akita Shogyo High School, have earned themselves a reputation as top contenders in national high school competitions. The school has also produced top professional players such as Tomoaki Seino and Shingo Kumabayashi, now playing for Jubilo Iwata in the J. League.
Inspired by an effort to bring the level of sport in Akita closer to international standards, foreign soccer coaches have been invited in recent years to teach in the local high schools. Guilherme Costa, a 25-year-old Brazilian, is one such coach, now finishing up his third and final year in Akita City.