Attend a Baseball Sport in Japan

The chanting of the gang, the crack of the bat, the motion being displayed on the JumboTron and…edamame? The sport of baseball isn’t simply one in every of America’s favourite pastimes, the Japanese are enthusiastic about it too, however they do issues somewhat bit otherwise. 

Seeing a Tokyo baseball sport whereas touring to the nation was on my bucket checklist, however I shortly realized that it wasn’t going to be your common ballpark expertise. 

Tokyo Baseball Groups

Two Tokyo Baseball groups name Japan’s capital their dwelling: the enduring Yomiuri Giants and the spirited Tokyo Yakult Swallows. The Yomiuri Giants, with a famend  historical past and a staggering 22 championship titles, dominate the scene, drawing followers from throughout the nation.

There are additionally three neighboring groups, the Saitama Seibu Lions, Yokohama DeNA Baystars, and Chiba Lotte Marines. Plus, Central and Pacific Leagues function sturdy groups just like the Hanshin Tigers (one other fan favourite), Hiroshima Toyo Carp, ORIX Buffaloes, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Stadiums In (or Close to) Tokyo

Tokyo’s baseball scene has some cool locations to catch a sport. Proper within the metropolis, you’ve received the well-known Tokyo Dome, often known as the “Massive Egg,” the place the Yomiuri Giants play. Then there’s the standard Jingu Stadium, surrounded by greenery, internet hosting the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and making a extra old-school baseball vibe.

When you’re up for a brief journey exterior Tokyo, there’s Yokohama Stadium for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, ZOZO Marine Stadium cheering on the Chiba Lotte Marines, and the MetLife Dome, dwelling turf for the Saitama Seibu Lions. 

Learn how to Purchase Tickets for a Baseball Sport in Japan

There are a number of methods to attain an NPB ticket, every with its personal benefits and quirks. 

• Official Crew Web sites: Probably the most dependable supply, with English choices usually accessible and early entry to presale tickets. Requires registering an account and restricted resale choices.

• Ticket Resale Platforms (like ViaGoGo or JapanBall Tickets: Wider choice, potential offers on sold-out video games, and handy resale choices (albeit at larger costs).

  I bought two tickets to the Tokyo Swallows sport by japanball.com, whereas nonetheless in the USA. And although they charged a hefty sixty greenback payment for lodge supply, on the time, it was well worth the consolation of realizing that the tickets have been a safe deal. However, we might have simply bought tickets for cheaper for this specific baseball sport on the stadium, saving sixty bucks, as a result of the Swallows aren’t as well-liked as Japan’s beloved Yomiuri Giants, which simply promote out months upfront. 

• Comfort Shops (like Lawson): You should purchase tickets on the kiosks inside, nevertheless (so far as I’m conscious), the whole lot is in Japanese so you’ll have to ask for help in navigating the machine.

• On the Stadium: Is simpler for much less well-liked groups, however sells out shortly for well-liked video games/groups (e.g. Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers), to not point out the lengthy traces.

When you’ve bought your ticket (apart from on the stadium), how do you truly get it? Listed below are the choices:

• Digital Supply (QR Code): Most typical and handy. Obtain a QR code through e mail, and current it on the stadium entrance for scanning. No bodily ticket wanted.

• Ticket Pickup at Stadium: Choose this throughout buy and choose up bodily tickets (utilizing the order quantity and password despatched to your e mail) at designated kiosks across the stadium of your selection. Most popular if unfamiliar with QR codes or wanting a tangible ticket.

• Mail Supply to a Japanese Handle: Accessible on some group web sites or platforms, particularly for international vacationers. Consider mailing time and extra charges. Verify lodge insurance policies relating to bundle deliveries.

P.S. When catching an NPB sport, notice that particular seats are reserved for dwelling and away group followers. Sometimes, the primary base aspect and proper subject cater to dwelling fans, whereas the left subject bleachers accommodate the street group’s supporters. The remainder? Properly, these are the ‘impartial’ zones. Make sure you examine the format (like this one from Jingu Stadium) when choosing your seat.

What To Anticipate From A Baseball Sport In Tokyo

Discovering Your Seat on the Stadium

Navigating the stadium generally is a breeze, however there’s a small problem – most tickets are in Japanese. When you’re not a professional at studying Japanese, discovering your seat would possibly look like fixing a puzzle. Don’t fear, although! The stadiums will often have useful assistants who’re very happy to information you to your spot. Simply search for their pleasant faces across the stadium, and so they’ll ensure you get to your seat with out a hitch.

After we entered the Jingu stadium, confusion set in since my tickets have been written fully in Japanese, however all of the attendants on the station have been very useful with pointing us in the proper route.

I had bought the “higher” tickets, which have been thought-about the medium stage value, however our seats have been nonetheless nearly on the tippy-top of the stadium. The nosebleeds actually. What was baffling, is the rows and rows of empty seats in entrance of me. However, we have been proper between dwelling base and 1st. Not a foul view of the motion. With binoculars.

The blue seats have been fairly slender and brief in size to chairs immediately in entrance of us, particularly for six foot 2 Peter. However, no one sat surrounding us in a 5 seat radius, so all was good.

Getting Meals & Drinks

From the Gaiemmae subway station, we took exit #3 and simply adopted the gang to Jingu Stadium. We handed many distributors alongside the best way promoting sodas, beer, edamame and even sushi. You might be allowed to convey exterior meals into this stadium, so load up. We weren’t conscious of this till after we entered. 

Similar to in the USA, you may get pleasure from beer through the sport – simply look ahead to the uriko beer women with kegs on their backs. And the way concerning the meals you should purchase on the stadium? It’s superior! There’s loads of stalls promoting conventional and not-so-traditional meals (like sizzling canines!). Strive yakitori, takoyaki, yakisoba noodles, and melon soda – it’ll be a Japanese meals tasting journey!

Enjoyable Baseball Sport Traditions

If you’re something like me, the very first thing you’ll discover is how extremely clear the out of doors stadium is. Attendants have been diligently roaming the grounds armed with plastic luggage to choose up each scrap of trash.

When you arrive early sufficient, you could be fortunate sufficient to catch a pre-show. Earlier than the sport I went to they’d a enjoyable tug-of-war with the children within the crowd. Then, to our shock, the cheerleaders made their entrance. What? There aren’t any cheerleaders in baseball. There was in Japan— my husband thought this was an awesome thought.

When the sport will get thrilling, and through the seventh-inning stretch – every group has a particular custom, just like the Tokyo Swallows’ umbrella dance or the Hanshin Tigers’ “Rokko Oroshi” chant.

Look out for the ouendan, fan teams on the left and proper outfields. Choose your aspect and be part of the cheers – left is for the visiting group, proper is for the house group. Don’t fear in the event you don’t know the phrases – simply comply with the gang! Take pleasure in totally different chants and songs for groups and gamers. Cheer loud when your group is up, however maintain it quiet once they’re on the sphere.

All through all the sport I attended, there was chanting and singing for almost each motive; an out, a brand new participant got here as much as bat or a steal. Then got here the banging collectively of plastic baseball bats in rhythm with the singing. And when a participant scored a run, the gang waved tiny open umbrellas. It was enjoyable!

Bear in mind, in the event you’re seated on the house group’s reserved aspect (or vice versa), keep away from carrying the opposing group’s colours and merchandise on that a part of the stadium, as it may be seen as disrespectful. And as for heckling? Go away it on the door. Japanese baseball tradition values sportsmanship and courtesy, so maintain the cheers constructive and the boos non-existent.

Attending to the Tokyo Stadiums

Attending to Tokyo Dome

Attending to Tokyo Dome is a cinch! It could take you a fast 3-minute stroll from both Korakuen Station (through the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi or Namboku subway line) or Suidobashi Station (on the JR Chuo Sobu Line/Subway Mita Line).

When you’re taking the Subway Oedo Line, you may get off at Kasuga Station (6-min stroll). Alternatively, go to Iidabashi Station (additionally 6 minutes), the place totally different traces just like the JR Chuo Line, Chuo-Sobu Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Yurakucho Line, Toei Oedo Line, and Tozai Line join. Whichever method you go, Tokyo Dome is true there, and it’s a straightforward stroll from totally different elements of town!

Attending to Jingu Stadium

Jingu Stadium is tremendous simple to achieve with varied public transportation choices. In order for you a fast and fairly journey, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Gaienmae Station (Exit 3). From there, it’s only a peaceable 5-minute stroll by Meiji Jingu Gaien Park to get to the stadium. Or, in the event you get pleasure from a barely longer stroll, go for the Toei Subway Oedo Line to Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station (Exit A2) and take a 12-minute stroll by the park to the stadium.

For practice lovers, you may choose JR Shinanomachi Station (Exit) or JR Sendagaya Station, each providing relaxed 12- and 15-minute walks respectively by the neighborhoods earlier than reaching Jingu Stadium. 

One of many coolest issues to do in Tokyo is go to a Japanese baseball sport. You’ll be able to really feel the thrill as the gang cheers, the group’s cheerleaders dance, and everybody joins in through the seventh-inning stretch. It’s not only a sport; it’s an opportunity to expertise Japan’s love for baseball up shut. With the gang cheering and the gamers swinging their bats, it’s a surefire technique to have an incredible time.

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