Kofu, Japan

Forget the romantic image of Japan - the reality in Kofu is a persistent bureaucratic headache. Ventforet Kofu, the city's professional football club, has won a grand total of 1 league title and 1 Emperor's Cup in their 36-year history, a testament to the city's modest sporting pedigree. While the team did make an unlikely run to the 2022 Emperor's Cup final, becoming the first J2 League club to win the trophy, Kofu remains firmly in the shadow of Japan's major metropolises. Locals describe a city struggling with financial troubles and miserable results on the pitch, including a streak of 25 consecutive losses in the late 1990s. Unless you're a die-hard football fan willing to embrace Kofu's blue-collar spirit, this sleepy provincial outpost is unlikely to capture your imagination.