Tokyo Dome: in-depth
Completed in 1988, the Tokyo Dome was the first domed stadium to open in Japan. The concept became very popular and in the 1990's many other cities began building one.
The Yomiuri Giants used to share the stadium with the Nippon-Ham Fighters before they moved to Sapporo in 2004．
In addition to the Giants games, the dome is used for corporate baseball games, occasional American Football and some concerts.
Bringing outside food or drinks is ok but cans/bottles are prohibited. There is a bag inspection at the entrance.
The final home game of the 2023 season is scheduled for Oct 4th. Unless the Giants can make a strong finish, they will miss the postseason.
GETTING TICKETS
The Giants have a functioning website in English with the option to purchase tickets through the e-Tix ticketing platform.
Only a small number of tickets are sold through this platform (basically the areas that are colored on the chart). Even when the official ticketing site shows the seats to be sold out, there could be more available on Ticket Pia or Lawson Ticket, the other agencies that carry Giants tickets.
As with most Japanese parks, the home team fans sit on the first base side with the cheering section in right field. The third base side is a mix of home/visitor fans. It's perfectly acceptable to be wearing a Giants uniform on the third base side, but sections of the left field bleachers are reserved specifically for the road team fans.
Do tickets sell out?
Sellouts were common in the past when superstars like Hideki Matsui were on the team. In the first half of the 2023 season, the average attendance was around 38,000 (weekday)-40,000 (Sat/Sun) while the capacity is 46,000.
Though it is only in Japanese, the Tokyo Dome City website has the updated status of seats available for sale at their ticket counter next to the Dome's information desk.
https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/baseball/giants/ticket/ticket_sale.html
The information is located close to the gate 22, the main entrance of the dome. Hours are daily from 11am-7pm.
Even if tickets show as sold out on the official ticketing sites, there might be some still remaining on the other distribution routes, so it is always worth checking the above website.
GUIDANCE ON SEATS
Reserved S - Lower deck, 6,800 JPY area above the team bench
These are the best seats available for non-season ticket holders. Note that the majority of the seats behind home plate are sold as season tickets and single game tickets rarely go on sale.
Like most Japanese stadiums, the protective netting extends from the backstop all the way to the foul pole. Unless you get seats at the very back (around row 47), it is not possible to get the nets out of your sight.
DAZN Excite Seat 18,000 JPY
Several rows of seats extending out to the foul territory were added in recent years. Here the protective netting does not exist so the sight lines are very good.
For safety reasons, preschoolers are not allowed in this zone.
*Not sold through regular ticketing sites; must be a fan club member or season ticket holder.
Reserved FC Central (指定席FC中央), Upper deck 3,200 JPY
Since many seats in the lower deck are sold as season seats, there is usually better availability in the upper deck.
While the action is far away, the height does provide an interesting vantage point that you won't get in smaller stadiums.
Entry to the upper deck is through gate 40 (first base side) or gate 41 (third base side).
Once inside, it is possible to go between the lower and upper deck, but access is limited to a few stairs.
Reserved D, Upper deck 2,000 JPY
The cheapest tickets in the dome have a distant view but the price is very reasonable.
They tend to be one of the last sections to sell out so if you have trouble finding any available seats, check to see if there is still some remaining in D.
Outfield, 2,300 JPY
The area where the more serious fans sit, with constant chanting throughout the game. The seats here are very basic; no seat-backs or cup holders.
Right field is exclusively for Giants fans. For the left field, the few rows next to the foul pole is reserved for the opposing team fans. They are sold by the category of "外野指定席(ビジター応援席)".
"外野指定席(レフト)" is a kind of buffer zone while "外野指定席(レフト巨人応援席)" is a section for the Giants fans.
Although sitting in the cheering section can be a lot of fun, a first-time visitor will likely feel out of place in this zone. Also anyone who wants to watch the game more quietly will have a better experience sitting in other areas of the park.
Non-reserved seats do not exist at the Giants games. Prior to the pandemic, the team used to sell standing room only tickets for around 1,000 Yen where you could watch the game from anywhere in the concourse at the rear of the lower deck. This has been discontinued after the pandemic. To enter the dome, you must have a reserved seat ticket and receive a bag inspection from the gate that is specified on your ticket.
ACCESS TO THE STADIUM
The transportation could not be any better. The Korakuen station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Namboku Line is the closest, with the outfield entrance just steps outside the station. Kasuga Station on the Toei Oedo Line and Mita Line is also just a few minutes away.
If you are taking the JR train, the Suidobashi Station on the Sobu Line is to the south of the dome. The main entrance to the infield is less than five minutes away. You'll need to walk another minute or two for the outfield entrance.
If 46,000 fans attend, the stations do get crowded after the game is over. Since there are so many options, within 10-15 minutes the congestion does ease a bit. There is no need to leave in the middle of game just to avoid the rush. Simply spend a few extra minutes walking around the dome and the crowds will start to disappear.
TOPIC: Giants moving to Tsukiji?
The Nikkei newspaper reported on Sep 7th that a consortium featuring Yomiuri (the parent company of the Giants) and the Mitsui Fudosan real estate company is proposing a redevelopment plan of the former Tsukiji Market site that would include the building of a new stadium.
There has been some speculation that the Giants are considering a new home field as the Tokyo Dome begins to show its age while other clubs like the Hiroshima Carp and Nippon-Ham Fighters have expanded their fanbase by opening an American-style ballpark in recent years.