A Guide to Watching Baseball in Japan

If you're visiting Japan, you may have typical activities like watching a sumo match or attending a tea ceremony on your itinerary. However, attending a Japanese baseball game should also be on your list. Although there aren't any significant differences between baseball played in Japan and elsewhere, the lively energy and camaraderie you'll witness at a game are certainly worth experiencing.

Pre-season games start in late February, and the general public can attend some of the mid-March pre-season games. The 2024 season kicked off on Friday, March 29. If you're in town between late March and early October, make sure to grab a team jersey from one of the 12 official Japanese baseball teams and get ready to cheer your heart out at a game.

Baseball is said to have been introduced to Japan by Horace Wilson, an American professor at what is now called Tokyo University. In the 1870s, Wilson taught a group of students about the sport, which has since gained a large fanbase in the country. 

The first professional league was founded in 1936, leading to Nippon Professional Baseball's formation in 1949, and is made up of two leagues: the Central League and the Pacific League. Each league has six teams, making 12 official Japanese baseball teams. 

The Pacific League comprises the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Chiba Lotte Marines, Saitama Seibu Lions, Orix Buffaloes, and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. The Central League includes the Yomiuri Giants, Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Yokohama DeNa Baystars, Hanshin Tigers, Chunichi Dragons, and Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

During baseball season, there are usually around 140 matches played. Toward the end of the season, the league playoffs called the Climax Series take place, and a winning team from each league is decided. These two teams then compete against each other in the Nippon (Japan) Series, which typically takes place in late October and is a best-of-seven.

Baseball is also very popular among high school students, with the Japanese High School Baseball Championship — known as Koshien — being the ultimate tournament for students to participate in. The single-elimination series of games takes place in August during summer vacation, and 49 teams participate. A similar series of games is held in the spring and is called the spring Koshien or the Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament. The matches are held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, home of the Hanshin Tigers.

Baseball has been popular for generations, and Japanese baseball players such as Shohei Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki have made headlines for playing in overseas teams. There are various ways to attend a game.

Securing a ticket for a game is not too difficult as you can purchase a seat at the stadium on the day of the game. However, for certain matches like the Nippon Series, it is recommended that you book your tickets well in advance. Buying tickets in advance can help you avoid waiting in line, and you may be able to purchase same-day tickets at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Lawson.

Each team has its official website where you can view the match lineup and information on how to buy tickets. While some team websites such as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have English versions, others do not. It is important to note that tickets purchased from most official websites cannot be delivered overseas and must be picked up at a convenience store. During checkout, you can provide your hotel information instead of your own address and phone number to opt out of the delivery option.

There are some technical differences between baseball played in Japan and the United States, such as the size of the ball, the strike zone, and the field. Another difference is that a Japanese baseball game could end in a tie.

One major thing to prepare for is the enthusiastic and passionate cheering from the fans. They wear baseball jerseys of their favorite teams and chant songs in all situations, whether it's their favorite player coming up to bat or to encourage their team when they're behind. Most of the team songs and chanting can be learned quickly, and you'll instantly feel like part of the crowd. It is advisable to choose seating on the home team's side to feel the spirit of the fans. Note that, even though many stadiums are not covered, fans will still cheer their hearts out while holding umbrellas.

Regarding food, you can buy popcorn and hotdogs at the concession stands, but bento boxes, curry, and other snacks and foods are also available for purchase. You can also grab a beer at the stands, but you'll see people walking up and down the bleacher aisles selling beer as well. Therefore, if you run out of beer, you can pass your money to the end of the bleacher row, and you'll have a beer returned to you within seconds.

Japanese baseball games are a fantastic way to have fun and interact with locals, so don't hesitate to join in!

There are 12 Nippon Professional Baseball stadiums spread across Japan, with each team having one home stadium. Depending on where you’re traveling to, you may get a chance to catch a game if the team is playing at their home stadium. To make the return journey back to your hotel more convenient after a fun evening, we have handpicked some hotels for you to consider.

Rakuten Stay x Eagles

Rakuten Stay x Eagles is a great choice to experience a unique stay near Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, home of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

The interior of the rooms are designed using the colors of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and you’ll find uniforms, bats, and balls signed by the players on display. The rooms are equipped with a kitchen and a BBQ terrace so guests can buy their ingredients to enjoy some BBQ. On the day of a game, you may be able to hear the cheering from the stadium, giving you the experience as if you're staying in the stadium.

Hotel Metropolitan Edmont

Searching for a simple yet conveniently located hotel? Then Hotel Metropolitan Edmont is the perfect choice. It is situated just a five-minute walk from Iidabashi and Suidobashi stations, providing easy access to both JR and metro lines. The hotel is also just a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Dome, home stadium of the Yomiuri Giants.

The hotel boasts over 600 rooms in various styles, catering to solo travelers and families. Five restaurants serve a range of cuisines, including teppanyaki (flat-iron grill) and Chinese.

What makes this hotel stand out is its prime location, which offers easy access to various venues, shopping areas, and transportation lines.

Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk

Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk is located in the Seaside Momochi district of Fukuoka City. With over 1,000 rooms, you’ll have a wide variety from which to choose, including Japanese-style rooms. The hotel boasts several restaurants and has indoor and outdoor pools for guests to enjoy.

Along with a breathtaking view of the waterfront, the hotel is right next to Fukuoka PayPay Dome, home to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. This dome is one of the few stadiums that have a retractable roof. Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka City Museum are also within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Other attractions can be easily accessed by train or bus.

The Seaside Momochi district is considered one of Japan's top 100 urban landscapes, so if you're visiting Fukuoka, you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunity to stay at Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk.