This is the Magpies’ third official friendly after wins against German third tier side SpVgg Unterhaching and Championship outfit Hull City. United face Urawa and then Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday before returning to the UK for the ‘Sela weekender’ at St James’ Park.
“It’s something different,” Howe said on the week-long visit to Tokyo. “It’s a new experience for the players and the staff. This is a country that you might not otherwise get a chance to visit in your lifetime and of course the big thing is that it’s a chance to meet new people and generate more supporters for Newcastle. It’s always a great thing.
“Any country I’ve not been to before you can see it as a life experience and the hope is you make players more rounded in experiencing new cultures and new countries then it can only benefit them as well.
“We’re really looking forward to the two games which we feel will be really high level games in extreme heat which I’d love to think will help us for the new season.”
The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Miguel Almiron are expected to play their first minutes of pre-season after returning from their international commitments, however there a number of players that won’t feature. Others are also a doubt.
Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at the early team news ahead of the Urawa clash.
Konnichiwa! Newcastle United are in Japan - and so too are NewcastleWorld!Our Newcastle United writer Jordan Cronin is there all week, providing coverage of the tour, behind the scenes video and analysis from Tokyo.
Eddie Howe's men take on Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. They then face J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3.
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1. Kieran Trippier - out
Trippier is still on holiday after reaching the Euro 2024 final with England. Time will tell if he stays at Newcastle this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Sven Botman - out
Botman, although is working hard in his recovery from a serious knee injury, isn’t due to return until later this year. | Getty Images
3. Joe White - out
White played in the pre-season opener against SpVgg Unterhaching but has since picked up a back injury. | Getty Images
4. Jamaal Lascelles - out
Lascelles is in a similar boat to Botman after sustaining an ACL injury just a couple of weeks after the Dutchman. | Getty Images