
What to know about baseball in Japan
Let’s Play Ball! In the land of the rising sun.
Throw a curveball in your things to-do list and see a baseball game in Japan.
Not a sports fan? Go purely for the entertainment, food, and drink. It’s a riveting outing with friends, family, and other sports fans. The stranger camaraderie is so exciting, boisterous and high energy. It will have you leaving with new found friends and wanting more.

So, how did baseball start in Japan?
Officially the Nippon Pro Baseball Organization (NPB) league, started in 1950. A considerable lifetime ago, in comparison to American Major League Baseball’s (MLB) start in 1869.
But, hold up (record scratch). Baseball in Japan has been traced back to 1872.
Turns out, an American professor from Maine, named Horace Wilson went to Japan to teach English and mathematics at Kaisei Gakko, (now known as Tokyo University). It was fortunate enough, that Horace packed a baseball bat and ball within his luggage.
During study breaks, he introduced baseball to his students as a way to promote health. Methinks, it was another teaching tactic for Horrace to speak English with his students whilst playing baseball (wicked smart, that Horace is).
A century and +years later, to the year of 2000. A few Japanese baseball buffs voyaged to Maine to track down a few members of Horace’s descendants.
Unbeknownst to Horace’s family, they had no idea that he was credited for introducing baseball in Japan.
Check out this NPR article describing their experience and how it led the Wilson family to Japan. They truly lived the Tom Waits, “I’m big in Japan” lifestyle. There’s also 6 minutes of audio, of the Wilson’s describing their experience.
Kazuo Sayama, a baseball historian, has written a book about Horace Wilson. Man Wilson Told The baseball In Japan For The First Time.
Sumo wrestling maybe the national sport, but baseball is indeed one of the most popular.

Who else paved the way for baseball in Japan?
According to the interwebs, there is no doubt many are credited to the beginnings of baseball in Japan. While Horace Wilson is recognized as the first to introduce baseball to Japan. Albert Bates, another American professor who also taught in Japan. Is known for organizing the first game in Japan.
But hold on! What about teams? It was Hiroshi Hiraoka who organized the first baseball team in 1878. Hiroshi journeyed to America to learn railway engineering in 1871. During his studies, he fell in love with baseball and was a pitcher, who threw mean curveballs for a team in Boston.
He returned to Japan with baseball equipment and organized the first Japanese baseball team, The Shinbashi Athletic Club. It is, Hiroshi Hiraoka, who is known as the founder of Japanese baseball.
While we’re on the fun fact train about Japanese baseball.
The first African American professional baseball player started in Japan, not in America.
And it wasn’t Jackie Robinson.
That honor goes to James Bonner.
In 1936, a 24-year-old James Bonner, from Louisiana signed a contract to play for the Dai Tokyo baseball team in Japan. Which was more than a decade before Jackie Robinson started to play, in the MLB in 1947.
Bonner had a stellar performance in the States as a pitcher. He once threw 22 strikeouts during one game.
So, it made sense that his salary contract in Japan was ¥400 yen a month. At the time, his salary was more than double the salary than the biggest Japanese pitcher, Eiji Sawamura (¥120 yen a month).
Sadly, Bonner’s contract ended one month after the season started. Unlike his pitching athleticism back in the States. His performance oddly took a turn for the worst. In Japan, he couldn’t control his pitches and returned to America shortly after.
Read more about, Where to find Nature in Tokyo
What’s the scene in today’s baseball in Japan?

There’s no crying in baseball!
But there are bento boxes, cheerleaders and beer girls!
12 differences between American baseball and Japanese baseball
1) There are 12 professional Japanese baseball teams, in comparison to the MLB, who has 30. Which makes sense, since America is vastly larger than Japan.
2) The number of innings. American MLB game will have an unlimited amount of innings to determine a winner.
In Japanese baseball, if the score is tied at 9 innings. It is only then, up to 3 additional innings will be played. Which can end in a drawl. However, this rule is not applied during the Japan Series beyond game 7. Where there is no innings limit.
3) There are whistleblowers.Literally. Staff blow whistles when a pop foul ball flies over the crowd to warn fans.
4) The fans. Being a baseball fan, come with certain responsibilities. Come dressed, accessorized and rally cries ready. While fans in the States come team jersey and hat dressed, as well. It’s the atmosphere created by the Japanese fans, that’s quite different from American baseball fans.

5) It’s the boisterous and electric energy through constant singing, that add to the positive spirit of game. The singing lasts throughout the whole game.
Fans belt out chants for each player when they are up to bat. And don’t expect it to be the same song, either. Each player has their personalized song and a celebratory anthem when they get on base or score a run. The interaction through song is a way for fans to show their support, unity, and comradery for their team.
Even if a team is losing with no chance of redemption. The fans stay loyal and strong in their cheering (maybe even more so to show encouragement and persistence).
6) Come accessories ready. Fans come equipped with the right accessories for particular songs. It seals the deal of being a crazed fan. I mean, enthused team supporter. Fans have brass instruments, Japanese taiko drums, small umbrellas, balloons, team towels, and small plastic kung fu bats. All ready in hand for the right song.
The fans at a Japanese ballgame are a show.
7) What about the heckling you say? The Japanese are very polite in general and so are baseball fans. There’s hardly any heckling, it’s a low brow kinda thing. Besides, there’s so much singing and cheering, it would be merely impossible to hear over the crowds constant singing.
If you don’t have a local team supporting paraphernalia. No worries, there are vendors set up outside the stadium that sell what you need so you don’t awkwardly stand out.

8) The entertainment. While mascots aren’t foreign to American baseball teams, cheerleaders are. Throughout the whole game, cheerleaders and mascots will come out, dance their choreography, or shoot out t-shirts from shirt launchers.
And there’s usually additional entertainment. There are performances by singers and dancers and even fire pyrotechnics, and fireworks to end some games.
9) Where to sit. The fans sit with their team fans. When the stadium fills up, it’s easy to see how the fans are clearly separated, and seated with each other.
10) You can bring in outside food and drink, into the stadium. Which is a nice surprise, not having to smuggle in your noms. That goes for adult beverages too!
While you can’t grab a few 12 packs at the 7-11 and expect to walk in. You can bring in a beer (or 2) that was purchased from an outside vendor. You’ll be asked to pour it into a designated cup that is provided at the entrance gates.
11) Let’s talk drink. Many vendors offer an array of drinks. Yet, upon entering a stadium, the most noticeable are the young women who walk around selling beer. Otherwise known as bīru no uriko or beer girl. These young women are amazing!
What may look like a Ghostbuster proton pack strapped to the backs of these women. It’s a mini-keg filled with delicious draft beer. Different types of beer are offered, and it’s distinguished by the uniforms the women wear.
While these ladies circle the whole stadium, they are always smiling. When pouring your drinks, they kneel, so they aren’t in the way of other spectator’s view of the game. How polite. One can only imagine how many steps they end up with after games. Legs and stamina of steel! Especially with the number of stairs these stadiums have.
Check out this clip of 2 women having their jet packs, I mean mini-kegs getting switched out. It’s said, this could happen around 15 times during a game and the change out is being described as having the speed of a crew member at an F1 pit stop.
12) Food. Oh the glorious food. Sure, there’s Western options and of course there are Japanese options too. Curries, bento boxes, or how about the oodles of noodle dishes such as udon and ramen? Yum!

When is baseball season in Japan?
Baseball in Japan starts in April, with a championship in October. The season is 8 months and Spring training is during February and March.
Where to catch a baseball game in Japan.

Tokyo, Chiba, Yokohama and Tokorozawa
The Tokyo Dome is home to the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows’s home stadium is the Meiji Jingu Stadium . The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame is also in the Tokyo Dome.
There are a few stadiums that are train rides from Tokyo. The Chiba Stadium, is home to the Lotte Marines team, in Chiba. The Yokohama Stadium, is home to the DeNA BayStars in Yokohama, and the Seibu MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa, is home to the Saitama Seibu Lions.
Sapporo
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters can be watched at the Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido, Sapporo.
Sendai
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’s home stadium is the Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi in Sendai.
Nagoya
In Nagoya, catch the Chunichi Dragons at the Nagoya Dome in Aichi, Nagoya.
Osaka
The Orix Buffaloes play at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka and the Skymark Stadium in Kobe, which is outside of Osaka. Orix Buffaloes.
Near to Osaka is the Hanshin Koshien Stadium, in Nishinomiya. Home to the Hanshin Tigers.
Fukuoka
The Fukuoka Tohoku Softbank Hawks play in the Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome.
Hiroshima
You will find the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium.
How to get tickets to a Japanese baseball game.

The professional baseball schedule is usually released in November, with more details released in January.
Japanballtickets.com is where you can buy tickets and have them delivered to your hotel concierge or Airbnb.
Ready to see a handful of games in different locations? JapanBallTickets can get you sorted. Check out HOW IT WORKS. Do note, there is a service fee. Also, the options are in English and the prices are in US dollars (no conversion math!).
There’s also an option to purchase directly from the team’s websites with options to pick up the tickets at a convenience store (such as 7-11), at the stadium or for you to print your tickets.

Check out the websites for Tokyo Giants, and for the Swallows.
The best advice that is plastered over many sites, is to purchase tickets in advance!
Tickets can be anywhere from ¥800 (for children under 16). Or adults, from ¥1000 – ¥10,000 Which is $9 – $91. For more premium seats, expect to pay a few hundred US dollars for each.
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 3 games at 3 different stadiums in Japan. And I honestly can say, I can not wait to go back for more.

While baseball is an all time American pastime, the Japanese twist on baseball definitely hits a home run.
Bonsai! Bonsai! Bonsai!!!


47 Comments
Kelly Martin
I didn’t know that baseball was so popular in Japan. It’d be fun to watch a game. I’ve only been to one baseball game and the atmosphere was great.
Sarah Emery
Sounds like a trip to Japan to see a baseball game should be on your things to do list 😉 Thanks for the read and comment!
Scott DeNicola
Baseball is my favorite sport and always has been and I like to see the integration of professional Japanese players into the MLB like Ichiro, Tanaka, and Matsui. The stadiums and atmosphere are very different than major league baseball in the states mostly due to the politeness of the Japanese fans. We need more of that here in the US. I had no idea of games ending in a draw. I like my extra innings baseball. I’d love to see a game in Japan at some point in my lfe.
Sarah Emery
The fans are a major highlight for me. I cannot wait to go back for more. I do hope you get to Japan soon and have the experience for yourself. And when you do, let me know what it was like. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the read and comment – Cheers!
Lene Andersen
I have previously seen a video about baseball in Japan and it seems like so much more fun than in North America. I love how engaged the audience is, down to props and the specific songs for players and actions. The history of baseball in Japan was also really interesting. Great post!
Sarah Emery
Now that you’ve also seen a video, you must go to Japan and experience it for yourself 🙂 It’s an amazing sight to see. Cheers for the read and comment 😉
Dreams Abroad
I hear that baseball in Japan is bigger than in the US. I feel like from your post and the photos that are more fun than American baseball too. Looks like you have lots of fun!
Sarah Emery
Oh really? The fun factor is definitely turned up at a baseball game in Japan. There’s no doubt about it. Thanks for the read and your comment, cheers!
Despite Pain
This is really interesting. I thought baseball was only popular in the USA. I live in the UK, and it’s not played at all here. Sounds like they serve up good food too.
Sarah Emery
Oh yes, a very good selection of food, for sure. And it’s maddening the excitement for baseball in Japan 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment!
LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia
I had no idea baseball was so popular in Japan! I love the history behind how it was introduced, not that long ago either! My brother-in-law is a huge baseball fan, I wonder if he knows all these baseball trivia fun facts! A baseball game in Japan sounds like a really unique and interesting experience to have as part of your trip!
Sarah Emery
I do too, the history of baseball in Japan is fascinating to me. I’m sure your brother in law can add fun facts to this post for sure. Thanks for the read and comment!
Alexandra Christensen
That was really interesting. It almost seems more like our football games than our quiet baseball games. And it’s funny how the fans are more interesting to watch than the game. That kind of makes me think of the Superbowl. A lot of people now watch it for the commercials! My mom used to go to all the baseball games with my stepdad. She would sit quietly and read her book while he watched the game. I don’t think she would bet much reading done if it were a game in Japan!
Sarah Emery
Yes, exactly! Great comparison. I love how your mom went to games and read her book. Ha ha! It might have been a different experience for her at a baseball game in Japan 😉 Thanks for the read and comment!
jerry godinho
Japan has had an amazing influence of the USA after WWII but even i did not realize how popular it is. I cannot believe the stadium is full and looks like a game any where in north america. Thanks for this write up
Sarah Emery
The stadiums are very filled up and there are many games where the tickets sell out. It’s such a great experience whilst in Japan. Thanks for the read and comment!
Smita
I didn’t realize baseball was popular anywhere other than the US! I agree with you that the stranger camaraderie and the high energy levels during a game make it worth a visit, even if one is not a fan of the sport. Loved the idea of singing and cheering – it must be so much fun!
Sarah Emery
It really does make it worth it. The energy, singing and the fans really add to the amazing experience. Thanks for the read and comment!
Lyosha
I knew it is popular in Japan but I didn’t know it is that popular! Great new for baseball fans!
Sarah Emery
Really great news for baseball fans! Thanks for the read and comment 🙂
Subhashish Roy
I thought baseball was only popular in US. That it is a favorite in Japan is a new learning. Great read.
Sarah Emery
Yes, quite popular in Japan 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment!
Britt
This was really interesting to read. I do love a good baseball game but I’ll be honest and admit that I never really considered baseball when thinking about activities to enjoy in Japan! I had no idea that it was that popular over there!
Sarah Emery
I hope hope you get to attend a game when you are there. It’s quite a sight / experience. Happy and safe travels 🙂
Luna S
I am honestly not a huge fan of baseball because I don’t understand a lot of it, but it is still fun attending games because of the atmosphere. Plus you can usually find good food at the games hahaha. Great post!
Sarah Emery
Yes, it’s tons of fun! Especially with the entertainment and food. Thanks for the read and comment 😉
Ann
You have some solid advice here, thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah Emery
Thank you Ann! Much appreciated.
Ntensibe Edgar Michael
Yyyeeeaaahhhhh….now, this confirms what I have always suspected. Japan has always had baseball but for some reason, everyone literally thinks baseball is only in the United States.
Sarah Emery
Ha ha! Yup BASEBALL IS HUGE in JAPAN 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment 😉
Ayishia
What a fascinating post. I was already shocked to read that baseball was even popular in Japan, but then the random black history you dropped was mind-blowing. Great post.
Sarah Emery
Thanks Ayishia! Gotta love those random fun facts 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment 😉
Eileen M Loya
It is nice to read about how different it is to watch a baseball game in Japan. I know the sport is big there, but I had no idea that it was so much fun to watch. The singing would be interesting to hear. I will search for it on youtube.
Sarah Emery
Yes, YouTube it for sure. It’s such a sight to see and listen to. Thanks Eileen for the read and comment.
Matt Taylor
Wow so cool! I would love to see a game in Japan. I don’t go that often but it is always fun when I do go here in the States. I used to go see the Giants play when I was young, with my dad. Good times!
Sarah Emery
The SF Giants? I’ve seen a few games when I was living in San Francisco. It was so much fun! I hope you do get to a baseball game in Japan. It’s an experience, for sure. Thanks for the read and comment Matt.
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
Baseball in Japan is pretty wild. I have always loved the way the fans interact with the players.
Sarah Emery
It really is, and the fans in Japan really make the game. Thanks Tiffany for your comment and read.
Fatima Torres
Baseball season in Japan would be a great time to visit. It would be nice to compare how they cheer on the games
Sarah Emery
I hope you get to a baseball game in Japan, Fatima. It’s such an experience. Thanks for the read and comment.
Manahil
I didn’t know that baseball is popular in Japan. Such an informative blog post!
Sarah Emery
Thanks Manahil. Yup, it’s really popular in Japan. Thanks for your comment and the read.
Anna
Really enjoyed reading your post, as I´ve had no idea baseball was one of the most popular sports in Japan! Hope to visit Japan soon, their culture fascinates me!
Sarah Emery
Thank you Anna! I hope you get to visit Japan soon and experience their culture. It really is fascinating. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Myrah Duque
It’s interesting to read about how it is in Japan. It seems to be a blast over there, Would be cool to visit Japan during baseball season.
Sarah Emery
It is a blast in Japan and yes, I highly recommend to visit during baseball season. Thanks Myrah for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Melanie
Such an interesting and informative article. Love that you can also bring in your own food and drinks into a game x