Will Sota Fujii (23) achieve his 7th consecutive title? The Kisei five-game match begins, with challenger Shinichiro Hattori (26) as a young hopeful. The first game is expected to conclude on the afternoon of the 4th in Kisarazu, Chiba.

The Kisei-sen Five-Game Match is a prestigious annual tournament in Japanese Go, a traditional board game, where the top player defends the title of Kisei (Master) against a challenger. Established in 1976 by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, it is one of the “seven major titles” in professional Go, featuring a grueling series of elimination rounds before the final five-game match. The event is highly respected for its deep strategy and historic significance in showcasing the highest level of Go competition.

Kisarazu City is located on the eastern coast of Chiba Prefecture, Japan, facing Tokyo Bay. Historically, it developed as a post town on the former Edo-period road network and as a port for maritime trade, later becoming a key industrial and residential area. Today, it is known for its scenic coastal views, the Kisarazu Seaside Park, and the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line bridge-tunnel that connects it to Kawasaki.

Chiba Prefecture, located just east of Tokyo on the coast of Honshu, is known for its diverse attractions, including the historic Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, founded in 940 AD, and the modern Tokyo Disney Resort. Historically, it was part of the ancient Kazusa and Shimōsa provinces, and its coastal areas have long been important for fishing and trade. Today, Chiba serves as a major transportation hub with Narita International Airport and offers a mix of cultural sites, nature parks, and seaside resorts.