Vissel Kobe clinched its first J. League top-flight title on Saturday by beating Nagoya Grampus 2-1 at home in the penultimate round of the season.
Kobe moved up to 68 points, four clear of 2022 champions Yokohama F. Marinos in second place, to seal their second major trophy after winning the Emperor's Cup in the 2019 season.
Manager Takayuki Yoshida's team started the season strongly and let Spanish icon Andres Iniesta leave in July, having barely called upon the Spanish World Cup winner during the campaign.