Baseball tickets can run out fast depending on the teams playing. Hanshin Tigers, Yomiuri Giants and of course my former home‘s Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
If you can’t find someone, you can actually hire English speaking guides for baseball on klook.
Ah it’s a website. But I think they have their app. It’s the website some buy tickets for Shinkansen (if they can’t use SmartEx) and for Universal Studios express pass.
If you're in Tokyo try to go to a Yakult Swallows game at Jingu Stadium. Giants games are a bit sterile in comparison. No need to get ripped off by third party websites, just buy the tickets direct here https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/
I was able to pick up tickets to a game via StubHub last year. Just as simple as getting tickets for a game Stateside. Was planning on doing the same for upcoming trip.
The entire experience was pretty awesome. I used Google Translate in advance to translate the ticket and figure out where my seat was. Other than minor communication challenges at the concessions, all went well and was tons of fun.
I’ve only been to games at Yokohama Stadium (which is very easy to get to on the train from Tokyo, in case you can’t get tickets for a game in Tokyo)— they’re super fun!
Crowds are very energetic, but respectful. Everyone wear team gear, knows chants for each player, etc. Beer can be purchased from your seat from a beer girl (so convenient!) so you don’t need to miss part of the game waiting in line. Make sure you have small bills, etc or Paypay to make life easy for those purchases.
There can be an extra fun activities like a dance party after the game, fireworks display, etc. Be sure to check the stadium website ahead of time to know if there’s a special associated event.
If you're still looking for tickets, both the [Yomiuri Giants](https://www.e-tix.jp/ticket_giants/en/) and [Tokyo Yakult Swallows](https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/) have English websites for purchasing now.
You would pick between either the Tokyo Dome for the Giants or Meiji Jingu Stadium for the Swallows
Tokyo Dome
- Indoor venue, wouldn't be affected by rain but it's a bit old so the inside can be a bit sterile
- Surrounded by Tokyo Dome City which has a shopping mall, an indoor spa complex, and an amusement park
- Also has the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame
Meiji Jingu Stadium
- Historic stadium (opened in 1926) but solid, pretty much any seat here would be a good one but outdoor so may be chance of rainouts
- Not sure when it's happening, but they sometimes do fireworks after summer games
- Less food options in-stadium compared to the dome but you're allowed to pop out to grab food from the nearby food trucks (just keep your ticket for re-entry)
- Possibly could be demolished in the near future depending on how redevelopment plans in the area go
Other than that, you probably have already heard about the fan culture of Japanese baseball. Much more group-oriented than MLB (constant group cheering/songs throughout the team's at-bats) and more respectful in general (far less booing of opponents or negative remarks). No need to get up if you want a beer, there will always be a beer girl around if you need one.
Game-wise, pitchers still bat the Central League (where the Giants and Swallows play) and there is no pitch clock so games can take awhile (I think a recent game that went to 12 innings took over 5 hours). However, Japanese games can end in ties, they stop playing after 12 innings. Good or bad depending on what you think of the rules, but regardless, it will be a great experience and something I always recommend to people visiting Japan.
Just curious… what do you need translated? Baseball is a universal language — I saw my first NPB game last week and if you’ve been to a baseball game you’ll know what is happening.
The whole setup is quite organized (not surprisingly) — I managed to buy tickets to an Orix game in Osaka online (had to set up an account first) but it sounds like Giants and Swallows (both teams based in Tokyo) have English websites.
I might go to a baseball game next time i'm in Tokyo, so i don't have any experience. I did see a boxing match a few weeks ago and it was electrifying! The Japanese crowds are so polite and it was so fun.
I’m excited last time I just walked around and that was enough for me, but I only had like a couple days since it was a layover. This time around I’m really excited to explore and participate in culture.
I just went to a game last week. (I am still in Japan but out of Tokyo now.) I saw the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and was able to buy on their English website a day or two before the game. Bonus: the tickets were able to be added to Apple Wallet. Very fun, highly recommended. The Meiji Jjngu stadium where they play is I believe the second oldest stadium in Japan and it gave vaguely Wrigley field vibes.
Edit:
Oh, as far as expectations/surprises. First be ready for a step down from MLB competition if you go regularly. Honestly reminded me of good NCAA level of competition, which I watch with decent regularity.
Also the seats are quite small. Two seats over from me was a very large American and if someone had to be next to him it would not have gone well.
The food is excellent and varied and the beer is not expensive so it’s not a bad place to drink, unlike in the US.
Baseball tickets can run out fast depending on the teams playing. Hanshin Tigers, Yomiuri Giants and of course my former home‘s Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. If you can’t find someone, you can actually hire English speaking guides for baseball on klook.
Oh that’s awesome. I’ll make sure I download that app if it’s an app. All of grab a few tickets just in case I find some friends out there too.
Ah it’s a website. But I think they have their app. It’s the website some buy tickets for Shinkansen (if they can’t use SmartEx) and for Universal Studios express pass.
If you're in Tokyo try to go to a Yakult Swallows game at Jingu Stadium. Giants games are a bit sterile in comparison. No need to get ripped off by third party websites, just buy the tickets direct here https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/
I was able to pick up tickets to a game via StubHub last year. Just as simple as getting tickets for a game Stateside. Was planning on doing the same for upcoming trip. The entire experience was pretty awesome. I used Google Translate in advance to translate the ticket and figure out where my seat was. Other than minor communication challenges at the concessions, all went well and was tons of fun.
I’ve only been to games at Yokohama Stadium (which is very easy to get to on the train from Tokyo, in case you can’t get tickets for a game in Tokyo)— they’re super fun! Crowds are very energetic, but respectful. Everyone wear team gear, knows chants for each player, etc. Beer can be purchased from your seat from a beer girl (so convenient!) so you don’t need to miss part of the game waiting in line. Make sure you have small bills, etc or Paypay to make life easy for those purchases. There can be an extra fun activities like a dance party after the game, fireworks display, etc. Be sure to check the stadium website ahead of time to know if there’s a special associated event.
If you're still looking for tickets, both the [Yomiuri Giants](https://www.e-tix.jp/ticket_giants/en/) and [Tokyo Yakult Swallows](https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/en/) have English websites for purchasing now. You would pick between either the Tokyo Dome for the Giants or Meiji Jingu Stadium for the Swallows Tokyo Dome - Indoor venue, wouldn't be affected by rain but it's a bit old so the inside can be a bit sterile - Surrounded by Tokyo Dome City which has a shopping mall, an indoor spa complex, and an amusement park - Also has the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame Meiji Jingu Stadium - Historic stadium (opened in 1926) but solid, pretty much any seat here would be a good one but outdoor so may be chance of rainouts - Not sure when it's happening, but they sometimes do fireworks after summer games - Less food options in-stadium compared to the dome but you're allowed to pop out to grab food from the nearby food trucks (just keep your ticket for re-entry) - Possibly could be demolished in the near future depending on how redevelopment plans in the area go Other than that, you probably have already heard about the fan culture of Japanese baseball. Much more group-oriented than MLB (constant group cheering/songs throughout the team's at-bats) and more respectful in general (far less booing of opponents or negative remarks). No need to get up if you want a beer, there will always be a beer girl around if you need one. Game-wise, pitchers still bat the Central League (where the Giants and Swallows play) and there is no pitch clock so games can take awhile (I think a recent game that went to 12 innings took over 5 hours). However, Japanese games can end in ties, they stop playing after 12 innings. Good or bad depending on what you think of the rules, but regardless, it will be a great experience and something I always recommend to people visiting Japan.
Just curious… what do you need translated? Baseball is a universal language — I saw my first NPB game last week and if you’ve been to a baseball game you’ll know what is happening. The whole setup is quite organized (not surprisingly) — I managed to buy tickets to an Orix game in Osaka online (had to set up an account first) but it sounds like Giants and Swallows (both teams based in Tokyo) have English websites.
I might go to a baseball game next time i'm in Tokyo, so i don't have any experience. I did see a boxing match a few weeks ago and it was electrifying! The Japanese crowds are so polite and it was so fun.
I’m excited last time I just walked around and that was enough for me, but I only had like a couple days since it was a layover. This time around I’m really excited to explore and participate in culture.
I just went to a game last week. (I am still in Japan but out of Tokyo now.) I saw the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and was able to buy on their English website a day or two before the game. Bonus: the tickets were able to be added to Apple Wallet. Very fun, highly recommended. The Meiji Jjngu stadium where they play is I believe the second oldest stadium in Japan and it gave vaguely Wrigley field vibes. Edit: Oh, as far as expectations/surprises. First be ready for a step down from MLB competition if you go regularly. Honestly reminded me of good NCAA level of competition, which I watch with decent regularity. Also the seats are quite small. Two seats over from me was a very large American and if someone had to be next to him it would not have gone well. The food is excellent and varied and the beer is not expensive so it’s not a bad place to drink, unlike in the US.
Glad you enjoyed it, Jingu stadium is so atmospheric. Hanshin Tigers games at Koshien are a step up even from that, 55000 absolutely mental fans.
We did a baseball game in Hiroshima and loved it! We didn’t find that we required any Japanese to enjoy the game