Bayside baseball bliss: An evening at Yokohama Stadium

Last week, I had the chance to watch the Yokohama DeNA BayStars take on the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks from the Pacific League on their home soil. While I’ve seen baseball games at various venues across Japan, Yokohama Stadium has a unique, friendly charm that I find especially appealing.

File ID 94448546 | © Tktktk | Dreamstime.com

Unlike the grandeur of Tokyo Dome or the historical significance of Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Yokohama Stadium is fairly standard in design. However, since the Japanese social gaming giant called DeNA acquired Yokohama’s team in 2012, they’ve been working hard to revitalize the team—known for its less-than-stellar Central League record—through creative ticket programs and stadium renovations.

One particularly interesting ticket offer was the “Complete Refund!? It’s a HOT deal” ticket back in 2012, which garnered significant media attention. If fans were dissatisfied with the team’s performance, they were entitled to a full refund.

Personally, I enjoyed the omatsuri (festival) theme outside the stadium in Yokohama Park. The wide array of Japanese street food at reasonable prices was a delight—my friends and I feasted on Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake), award-winning yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), and torikawa (slow-grilled crispy chicken skin) for just 1,500 yen.

There’s no better way to spend a cool spring evening than at a baseball night game with friends. If you’re looking to enjoy some good old baseball, I highly recommend Yokohama Stadium. Its bayside location and easy access from Tokyo make it a perfect spot for an exciting evening out.

Yokohama Stadium: https://www.yokohama-stadium.co.jp/

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SBAwTpr2DGPJb6gY7