You will often find clubs go on pre-season tours to places where they have strong connections.
Japan has all sorts of links for Arsenal including Arsene Wenger and, of course, Ryo Miyaichi who is returning "home" to familiar territory.
Wenger managed Monday's opponents Grampus Eight for 18 months and he remains a hero there after winning two cups and finishing as runner-up in the league. Incredibly, this is the first time Wenger has been back to Nagoya and, in particular, he is excited about meeting up with his old interpreter.
It was also here in Nagoya that Wenger managed Dragan Stojkovic (who is now in charge at Grampus Eight) and the Serbian has often been seen as a potential successor at Arsenal.
They held a press conference together in Nagoya and the respect, friendship and affection between the two men was clear to see.
Stojkovic said: "We shared a lot of good moments. For me, this was an unforgettable period - 1995 and 1996 as a player I really enjoyed.
"I gave my best, I gave my talent, I helped my team and we had a very good connection, a very good understanding. [Wenger] was the boss on the bench and I was the boss on the pitch, so it was a good combination.
"Practically every year I went to London to visit and watch Arsenal train. Arsenal is a team that I love a lot. I love how they play, the style and spirit of the team.
"What we've learned from Arsene Wenger here is the team spirit and the family spirit. Don't be surprised to see people working in Nagoya for a long time. We keep that spirit and we keep the family atmosphere [like at Arsenal].
"I'm sure that Monday, July 22 will be a very special day. We are honoured to welcome one of the most prestigious teams in the world.
"The special and very strong link between Nagoya and Arsenal is [down to] Arsene Wenger, who was in charge of Nagoya for almost two years. We have waited for 17 years to see him here again so it's a really special feeling for everyone here."
This is the 20-year-old who was plucked from Japanese high school, signed by Arsenal, loaned to Feyenoord, Bolton and Wigan, and has pace, trickery and huge potential.
"At Nagoya Grampus now, they have a very good calibre of players and I'm looking forward to playing against them on Monday," said Ryo (he is known - affectionately and professionally - by his surname)
"I've thought about it a lot. I've really been looking forward to coming back here since I heard about the tour last year.
"When we arrived, some of the fans were at the airport. I haven't met with family or friends yet but I went to a signing session and it was good to see Japanese people and Japanese fans.
"At Nagoya Grampus now, they have a very good calibre of players and I'm looking forward to playing against them on Monday. I will try to do my best and try to show them my speed, stamina and good play."
Arsenal's tour has been split into two parts. The concrete jungle and heat of Jakarta together with the humidity, traffic and mopeds of Hanoi, were about commercial tie-ups, personal appearances and opportunities for the future. There was training, but not like in Japan.
Arsenal are now doing locked down double sessions at their training base but they also conducted an open training session at the Mizuho Rugby Stadium on Sunday. It obviously has a football pitch as well.
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