KOBE (Kyodo) -- Vissel Kobe defended the J-League first-division championship Sunday by beating Shonan Bellmare 3-0 at home, securing three points to stay atop in the three-way title race and seal the league and Emperor's Cup double.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima began the final round of the season a point behind the holders but lost 3-1 at Gamba Osaka, while third-placed J1 debutants Machida Zelvia succumbed 3-1 at Kashima Antlers, having needed to win and both teams ahead of them to lose.

Taisei Miyashiro netted the 26th-minute opener, Yoshinori Muto doubled the lead in the 43rd minute and Takahiro Ogihara put the icing on the cake with a 70th-minute strike in front of a crowd of 27,444 at Noevir Stadium, where Kobe were never really tested by 15th-place finishers Shonan.

"We've given 100 percent each game and that got us to where we are now," said Muto, who led the team with 13 goals. "I had tough moments but never compromised on anything. I believe this is the result of dedicating everything to football, so I'm really happy."

Kobe dominated from the start as Muto steered Yuya Osako's low cross from the right just wide in the sixth minute, and the former Newcastle man was denied another chance four minutes later after the ball bounced into his path for a one-on-one with keeper Naoto Kamifukumoto.

Miyashiro fired home in the 17th minute only to be ruled out for offside in the buildup. He did not have to wait long for the opener, however, as Muto's header off Gotoku Sakai's cross from the right was tipped onto the post by Kamifukumoto and bounced back into the middle, leaving Miyashiro with the easiest of tap-ins.

Shonan had to wait until the 35th minute for their first shot, a 30-meter drive from defender Junnosuke Suzuki denied by the fingertip of Kobe keeper Daiya Maekawa.

Muto soon after rolled home the second after Osako nodded down Maekawa's long ball into the path of early substitute Daiju Sasaki, who evaded his marker to square the ball.

Osako displayed great control before sending his shot narrowly over in the 53rd minute, while Shonan showed grit in patches but lacked quality in the final third.

Ogihara rifled home from the edge of the box to spark an early celebration with supporters, who enjoyed a comfortable afternoon throughout, helped by both Hiroshima and Machida conceding early in their matches.

"Frankly, I'm happy, and also relieved," said Miyashiro, who netted 11 goals in his first season with Kobe. "There might be areas in which I can't match Osako and Muto, but I want to develop further and become a player who wins games for the team. I think we really are strong."

Elsewhere, Jubilo Iwata were relegated after losing 3-0 at Sagan Tosu, who will also be in the J2 next season after finishing bottom. Albirex Niigata drew 0-0 away to Urawa Reds to avoid the drop.

Gamba finished fourth behind Machida on goal difference and Kashima were fifth, while Tokyo Verdy drew 0-0 at Kyoto Sanga and finished sixth on their return to the J1.

FC Tokyo eased past Cerezo Osaka 3-0 and Kawasaki Frontale beat Avispa Fukuoka 3-1. Nagoya Grampus won 2-0 away to Yokohama F Marinos, while relegated Consadole Sapporo won 1-0 at home against Kashiwa Reysol.

Marinos forward Anderson Lopes was the league's top scorer for the second straight year after bagging 24 goals.