The Nadeshiko League consists of two divisions that correspond to the second and third levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid respectively.

Since 2008, the Nadeshiko League has been sponsored by Plenus (株式会社プレナス), a fast food (bento) company based in Fukuoka.

Teams from this early era would host annual training camps to build skills and relationships with international women's football clubs, such as those in the United States and Australia.

Nadeshiko is the name of the dianthus flower and was chosen from suggestions by fans, signifying an ideal of a dutiful Japanese woman.

[10] The Nadeshiko League would then become the second to fourth levels of the Japanese women's football pyramid.