Japanese baseball brings deep lore and unmatched vibes in the stadium. Why not try to catch a game?
The vibe
What I love most about going to a Japanese baseball game is the constant, enthusiastic cheering. When a team is on offense, their fans in the bleachers stand up and chant in unison, guided by the cues of a designated leader. Trumpets and drums guide the chants, while fans add to the rhythm by banging small plastic bats together. Every player can have a unique melody and lyric, which fans sing when they step up to bat. This burning passion among fans keeps the game entertaining even when the on-field action isn’t as thrilling.
If you ever get the chance to attend a Japanese baseball game, make sure to get tickets in the home team bleachers — that’s where you’ll truly experience the excitement!
Unlike in the US, stadiums in Japan also have a designated section for fans of the away team to show their enthusiastic support. If you intend to support the home team, be careful not to purchase a ticket in the away fan section by mistake… unless you are very open-minded!
Famous teams
Professional baseball teams were first established in Japan in the 1930s. Japan has two leagues, the Pacific League and the Central League, who battle it out in the Japan Series (also known as the Nippon Series) at the end of the season. The teams, 12 in total, often include their corporate owners in their name, usually combined with an animal or mythic creature.
Some of the most well-known teams include the Yomiuri Giants, who boast the most titles and are seen as the NY Yankees of Japanese baseball; the Hanshin Tigers, famous for their passionate fans and a KFC-related curse; and the Hiroshima Carp, a team which was kept afloat through citizen and fan donations as it spent its first two decades without a major corporate sponsor.
How to get tickets
The procedure for purchasing baseball game tickets can depend on the team. Many offer full English support on when purchasing tickets via their websites, while some require a Japanese address to make an account to then purchase tickets. In many cases, you can get into the stadium with an e-ticket or a QR/bar code on your phone, while printing at a convenience store, will call pickup, or mail delivery may be options to get paper tickets.
Tickets for popular teams can sell out quickly, so if you are dead set on attending a game make sure to plan in advance!