Japanese Baseball

Baseball (Nippon Professional Baseball or NPB) is an extremely popular sport in Japan, in fact it is often referred to as the unofficial national sport. If you are in Japan during baseball season from March to October, then catching a Japanese ballgame is a definite must – even if you know nothing at all about Baseball (which is us and we still loved it!).

Baseball is played around the country making it even easier to fit into your schedule. However, the bigger baseball fields are in Tokyo, with Tokyo Dome being one of the most popular, as well as Yokahama and games in Osaka. However, no matter where you catch a game you will be swept up with the roar of the crowd as they support their local team!

Once the game starts the whole crowd becomes the cheer squad. Different cheers for their team and for different players within the team.

Throughout the game there are the usual sport games nibbles and beer on tap brought right to your seats.

Like many things in Japan you do need to book in advance if you want to be sure of a ticket. Particularly for games with two local teams such as Tokyo Giants and Tokyo Swallows. Some tickets you can buy through third party sites such as Klook and viagogo although they are often selling the premium seats with added souvenirs, making the tickets more pricey.

How to book tickets yourself;

1. Look at the schedule and find out which games you might be able to catch.
2. Then go to the website of the home team to get your tickets – check out the stadium and where you would like to sit then check the pricing schedule.
3. Sometimes there is an advantage of becoming a member so that you get advance release of tickets. Note you often have to use Japanese characters to enter your name but there are web sites that can help you do this or add a Japanese keyboard to your computer or phone.
4. Have your tickets emailed to you or pick up from a 7/11 or Lawson once you are in Japan.
5. If it’s too hard, then go back to purchasing through Klook or Viagogo!

It is well worth the effort and if you are able to catch a game in the Tokyo Dome it is a fantastic experience (and air conditioned!).

For more information

Nippon Professional Baseball website
Japan Guide