Kashiwa Reysol set up a New Year's Day Emperor's Cup final showdown with Gamba Osaka after beating Yokohama F. Marinos 1-0 on Saturday.
Reysol and Marinos both went into the semifinal at National Stadium determined to end their record of never having won the competition during the 20 years of the J.League era, but a 23rd-minute goal from Masato Kudo ensured it would be Kashiwa returning to the same venue on Tuesday.
Gamba beat Kashima Antlers 1-0 in the day's other semi thanks to a Yasuhito Endo goal midway through the first half, giving Reysol the chance for revenge after losing 1-0 to the Osaka side in the final in 2008.