1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Shohei Yanagizaki was born on June 11, 1984, in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. His early football development began at a young age, attending Kagoshima City Kawakami Elementary School and Kagoshima City Sakurajima Junior High School. For his youth career, Yanagizaki played for Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School from 2000 to 2002. Following high school, he continued his football journey at Komazawa University, where he was part of the university's football club from 2003 to 2006.
2. Playing Career
Shohei Yanagizaki's professional playing career spanned from 2007 to 2016, during which he primarily played for two clubs in the Japanese football league system: FC Machida Zelvia and Kagoshima United FC. He was known for his role as a midfielder, demonstrating consistent performance and dedication throughout his tenure.
2.1. Club Career
Yanagizaki began his professional career with FC Machida Zelvia in 2007. During his seven-year spell at the club, from 2007 to 2013, he experienced the club's rise through the Japanese league structure. He first played in the Japanese Regional Leagues, specifically the Kanto Soccer League, before the club advanced to the Japan Football League (JFL). In 2012, Machida Zelvia earned promotion to the J2 League, marking Yanagizaki's debut in the professional J-League. His J2 League debut took place on March 4, 2012, in a match against Ehime FC at Ningineer Stadium. Over his time with FC Machida Zelvia, he made a total of 135 appearances across various competitions, scoring 22 goals.
In 2014, Yanagizaki moved to Kagoshima United FC, where he played for three seasons until his retirement as a player in 2016. At Kagoshima United FC, he continued to compete in the JFL and was part of the squad when the club was promoted to the J3 League. For Kagoshima United FC, he accumulated 55 appearances and scored 11 goals. Throughout his playing days, Yanagizaki measured 69 in (175 cm) tall and weighed 161 lb (73 kg), predominantly using his right foot.
2.2. Club Statistics
The following table details Shohei Yanagizaki's professional club appearances and goals:
| Club performance | League | Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | Total | ||||||
| 2007 | Machida | Kanto 1st Division | 13 | 5 | - | 13 | 5 | ||
| 2008 | 13 | 6 | - | 13 | 6 | ||||
| 2009 | JFL | 26 | 7 | - | 26 | 7 | |||
| 2010 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 3 | |||
| 2011 | 32 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 | |||
| 2012 | J2 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2013 | JFL | 8 | 0 | - | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2014 | Kagoshima | JFL | 25 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 27 | 7 | |
| 2015 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 6 | |||
| 2016 | J3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 200 | 33 | 8 | 2 | 208 | 35 | |||
- J-League debut: March 4, 2012, J2 League Matchday 1, against Ehime FC (at Ningineer Stadium)
3. Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement as a professional player in 2016, Shohei Yanagizaki embarked on a coaching career, focusing on youth development and contributing to professional teams. From 2017 to 2018, he served as an Academy Coach for Kagoshima United FC, the club where he concluded his playing career. He then moved on to coach at his alma mater, Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School, from 2019 to 2024. During this period, he also took on the role of manager for FC KAJITSU U-15 from June 2020 to 2024. In 2025, Yanagizaki returned to Kagoshima United FC, this time joining the senior team's coaching staff.
4. Legacy
Shohei Yanagizaki's legacy in Japanese football is marked by his consistent dedication and transition from a professional player to a coach focused on development. As a player, his lengthy tenure at FC Machida Zelvia and Kagoshima United FC saw him contribute to their respective advancements through the Japanese league system, including their ascensions to the J2 and J3 Leagues. His commitment to these clubs, particularly those with local roots, reflects a foundational contribution to regional football development. Beyond his playing days, his immediate shift into coaching, especially with youth academies and high school teams, underscores his ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent and strengthening the sport's infrastructure at a grassroots level. His return to Kagoshima United FC as a coach further solidifies his enduring influence on the club and the wider football community in his home prefecture.
5. See also
- List of people from Kagoshima Prefecture
- Komazawa University
- List of FC Machida Zelvia players
- List of Kagoshima United FC players