Watching NPB/Pro Baseball in the Tokyo area

Last update: Jan 23rd 2024

Notes for the 2024 Season

The preseason schedule is now available. Games will be held from Feb 23 to March 24th. Action starts in the Okinawa area and the first game in the greater Tokyo area will be on March 5th when the Baystars return to Yokohama Stadium.

https://npb.jp/preseason/2024/schedule_detail.html

Admission fees will be charged for these games. It's rare for a preseason game to sell out so just grab the tickets on game day at the stadium ticket office.

 

The regular season schedule has also been fully released. It usually takes awhile for the English version to get uploaded, so refer to the Japanese version below and use translation device to see it.

 https://npb.jp/games/2024/

Opening day will be on March 29th (Friday) for both the Central and Pacific Leagues.  The Giants, Swallows, BayStars and Marines will all play their opening series at home from the 29th to 31st.

The All Star Game will be at Hokkaido for Game 1 (July 23rd) and Tokyo's Jingu Stadium for Game 2 (July 24th).

 

Guide to getting tickets

Of the five teams in the Tokyo area, the Giants and Swallows have information available in English on their websites, including the option to buy tickets. Ticket details for the 2024 season will probably be announced around February.

 

Giants English Websitehttp://www.giants.jp/en/

The ticketing site gives you the option to choose tickets from a seating chart. You either print the tickets yourself or pick them up at any 7-Eleven in Japan.

Not all tickets are sold through the official ticketing site and sometimes there is better availability showing on other agency sites (mentioned below).

 

Swallows English Websitehttps://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/

The calendar shows the dates when home games are held. If the ticket sales have already begun, the "buy tickets" icon will be appearing. The English page does not have a detailed seating chart, so refer to the page in Japanese for a rough idea of what you're getting. They have a link to videos that show the seat view. There are different categories of pricing based on the expected demand and if you are a member of the fan club ("SWALLOWS CREW") or not.

 

The other three teams in the Tokyo area (BayStars, Lions, Marines) lack any English website.

 

Ticket Pia” and "e plus" are reputable online agents that handles tickets for all teams, but there is only a Japanese option

Also both websites will require a Japanese phone number when opening an account.

 

There might be other third party sites offering the tickets but there will likely be a heavy ”handling charge" involved. It is suggested you check very carefully (reviews from other users, type of seating) before making the purchase.

  

(FYI) For teams outside the Tokyo area:

The Rakuten Eagles (based in Sendai), Hiroshima Carp and SoftBank Hawks (based in Fukuoka) all have the English option on their websites, but not the choice to purchase tickets directly in English. The Hawks do have a link posted to Klook Travel, a third party booking site where tickets can be purchased. The Hawks officially announced their partnership with Klook, so the tickets sold there are legitimate.


MORE ON THE EXPERIENCE

The season starts around the last weekend of March and continues on until early October. There are two teams in Tokyo and another three in the vicinity, so usually there will be at least one game going on somewhere. Just keep in mind there are usually no games on a Monday, unless it falls on a National Holiday. Games typically start at 6pm on weekdays and anywhere between 1-3pm on the weekends, though this can vary depending on the team. During the hot summer months (July-mid September), most games are moved to the night slot starting from 6pm. 

 

When getting tickets, take the following into consideration:

Home team fans sit on the first base side, the visiting team on the third base side (It's the opposite at the Belluna Dome; home fans on the third base side)

The most loyal fans occupy the outfield bleachers with continuous cheering/noise throughout the game. In contrast, seats behind home plate are much quieter, and often reserved for season ticket holders who may or may not show up.

 

Many teams now have a dynamic pricing system where the prices can fluctuate depending on the demand and whether it's a weekday or weekend. Games on weekends and holidays will always attract higher demand regardless of the teams they are facing. Weekday games earlier in the season (April/May) are easier to get, especially if the weather is still chilly at night. From late June to mid July, the Tokyo area heads into a wet season when games can get postponed; getting tickets for the Tokyo Dome or Belluna Dome will eliminate any risk of the game being washed out.

Stadiums around the Tokyo area

Jingu Stadium

Jingu Stadium More details

Home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows

2023 Record: 5th out of 6 teams in the Central League

Opened : 1926

Capacity : 30,969 (2023 average attendance : 27,477)

GOOD: Wonderful atmosphere, fireworks after the 5th inning during the summer months

BAD: Showing its age in many areas, limited number of toilets. Many obstructed view seats in the outfield, near the scoreboard.

After repeating as Central League champions in 2021-22, the Swallows struggled to a 57-83 record for the '23 season.


Baseball at Tokyo Dome

Tokyo Dome More details

Home of the Yomiuri Giants

2023 Record: 4th in the Central League, missed playoffs

Opened : 1988

Capacity :  46,000 (2023 average attendance : 38,145)

GOOD : No worries about rain (First domed stadium in Japan)

Excellent access to multiple train and subway lines

BAD : Not the most ideal place to go on a perfectly sunny day. Food and drinks are expensive; a beer costs 900 yen

FYI: Since 2022, cash is no longer accepted anywhere in the dome. Credit cards, or "IC cards" such as a SUICA/PASMO can be used for payment.


Yokohama Stadium

Yokohama Stadium

Home of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars

2023 Record: 3rd Central League, lost in the first stage of playoffs

Opened : 1978

Capacity : 34,046 (2023 average attendance : 32,126)

GOOD : Location next to Chinatown and central Yokohama, new ownership introducing fun entertainment before/during games. 

BAD : Lots of very steep stairs to climb if sitting in the upper sections. 

Built on limited space so concourse always congested 

Notes for 2023: The team signed Trevor Bauer, the most high profile US player to reach the NPB in recent years. He had a 10-4 record with 2.76ERA for the season, missing the final month due to a hip injury. 


Belluna Dome

Belluna Dome 

Home of the Seibu Lions

2023 Record: 5th place out of 6 teams in Pacific League, missed playoffs

Opened : 1979 / Roof Added : 1999

Capacity : 33,556 (2023 average attendance : 20,040)

GOOD : It's right next to a rail station. Wide concourses with good view of the field. Major renovations in 2021 giving the place a more genuine ballpark feel.

BAD : Can feel like being in a sauna during the summers. No air-con. It's a weird "dome" without a wall. A bit far from most areas of Tokyo.

Notes for 2023: Kazuo Matsui, known as "Little Matsui" during his stint with the NY Mets, became the new manager of the team. 

ZOZO Marine Stadium

ZOZO Marine Stadium 

Home of the Chiba Lotte Marines

2023 Record: 2nd in the Pacific League, lost in the final stage of Pacific League playoff

Opened : 1990

Capacity : 30,082  (2023 average attendance : 25,055)

GOOD: Much of the upper deck covered by a roof. Constant winds blowing from the Tokyo Bay behind the outfield keeps things cool even in the summer

BAD: Can feel extremely cold in spring/autumn. Distant from central Tokyo and another 15 minute walk from the Kaihim Makuhari Station.

FYI: 21 year old Roki Sasaki is one of the most exciting pitchers in Japanese baseball with a fastball of 102mph. He pitched a perfect game in the 2022 season.

 


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