How to Enjoy Jingu Stadium | Guide to Surrounding Area and Access
Sep 17,2025 Update
Located in Meiji Jingu Gaien in Shinjuku City, Tokyo, "Jingu Stadium (Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium)" is a historic stadium that has been beloved by many baseball fans since its opening in 1926. Currently known as the home stadium of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, it's a popular spot where you can experience the excitement of professional baseball up close.
This article provides detailed explanations of Jingu Stadium's basic information, ticket purchasing methods, ways to enjoy watching games, specialty gourmet food, cheering styles, and more. We also introduce surrounding tourist spots and access methods, so if you're planning to visit Jingu Stadium during your Tokyo sightseeing, please take a look.
Table of Contents
1. What is Jingu Stadium (Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium)
1-1. How to Get Tickets for Jingu Stadium
2. How to Enjoy Jingu Stadium
2-1. Enjoy Standard Game Events
2-2. Enjoy Stadium Gourmet Food
2-3. Purchase from Beer Vendors
2-4. Cheer by Waving Umbrellas
3. Tourist Spots Around Jingu Stadium
4. Access Methods to Jingu Stadium
Summary
1. What is Jingu Stadium (Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium)
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium (commonly known as Jingu Stadium) is a historic baseball stadium located within Meiji Jingu Gaien in Shinjuku City, Tokyo. It opened in 1926 and currently serves as the home stadium for the professional baseball team "Tokyo Yakult Swallows".
As a characteristic feature of the stadium, it has only partial roofing, allowing visitors to enjoy a spacious and open atmosphere. To harmonize with the landscape of Jingu Gaien, the building height is kept low, and the outfield seats feature abundant grass and planted areas.
In summer, it also serves as the venue for the "Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival" and is one of Tokyo's representative stadiums where you can experience Japanese baseball culture.
1-1. How to Get Tickets for Jingu Stadium
Game tickets for Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium can be purchased through Tickets in Japan, which is designed for international visitors.
2. How to Enjoy Jingu Stadium
At Jingu Stadium, you can enjoy not only baseball games but also events and gourmet food. There are many events that are easy for first-time visitors to participate in, and the performances that unite spectators and players are one of its attractions.
Here, we introduce Japan's unique cheering styles and ways to enjoy the stadium.
2-1. Enjoy Standard Game Events
At Jingu Stadium, various events welcome spectators from before the game begins. Starting lineup announcements, dances by the cheer team "Passion," and the ceremonial first pitch are held 30 minutes before game start, instantly heightening the stadium atmosphere.
During the game, there are fan-participation music request corners between innings, featuring plenty of entertainment that keeps even those unfamiliar with baseball engaged. DJ music performances are also featured, providing a highly entertaining game-watching experience.
When the Swallows win, the game concludes with hero interviews, singing "We are the Swallows," and a ceremonial hand clap (ippon-jime), allowing you to feel the unity with spectators until the very end.
2-2. Enjoy Stadium Gourmet Food
Jingu Stadium offers a diverse array of gourmet food to enjoy alongside game watching. From the famous "Jin-Kara (Jingu Fried Chicken)" and "Jin-Lemo (Original Lemon Sour)" to collaborative gourmet items with Swallows players, there's a rich variety to choose from.
Different shops line each area, such as the first base side and outfield areas, making food exploration one of Jingu Stadium's attractions. Enjoy freshly made hot food and cold desserts before taking your seat or between innings.
2-3. Purchase from Beer Vendors
At Japanese baseball stadiums, "beer vendors" carrying beer tanks on their backs walk between seats selling draft beer. This style is well-established at Jingu Stadium as well, allowing you to enjoy beer while watching the game.
The beer vendors provide energetic and cheerful service, making them a fun part of your game-watching memories. Priced at around 900 yen per cup, a beer enjoyed with the game atmosphere is exceptional.
2-4. Cheer by Waving Umbrellas
The highlight of cheering at Jingu Stadium is the umbrella-waving cheer performed to "Tokyo Ondo" before the 7th inning attack. Swallows fans hold small cheering umbrellas and wave them in unison to the music. This moving moment when the entire stands unite will be an unforgettable experience for international visitors. The rhythm of Tokyo Ondo is upbeat and easy to remember, allowing first-time participants to join in immediately.
Fans also wave umbrellas in celebration when the Swallows score or when victory is decided. Cheering umbrellas can be purchased at stadium shops and merchandise stores, making them great souvenirs to take home.
3. Tourist Spots Around Jingu Stadium
Around Jingu Stadium, there are numerous tourist spots worth visiting alongside baseball games. Many facilities are accessible on foot, allowing you to enjoy Tokyo's unique scenery before and after games.
・Jingu Gaien ・Meiji Jingu ・National Stadium |
Additionally, Jingu Stadium's location is close to central Tokyo, with very convenient access to popular areas like Shibuya, Harajuku, and Roppongi. Along with game watching, you can enjoy shopping, gourmet food, art appreciation, and other diverse Tokyo tourism experiences all in one day. The area around Jingu Stadium can be said to be an ideal location where tourism and sports can be combined.
4. Access Methods to Jingu Stadium
Jingu Stadium is located in central Tokyo and is easily accessible by train. There are multiple nearest stations, and it's convenient to choose based on your destination and ease of transfers.
Among the nearest stations, the most convenient is "Gaienmae Station" on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, which is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 to the stadium. Other options include JR Sobu Line's "Shinanomachi Station" (about 12 minutes on foot), "Sendagaya Station" (about 14 minutes on foot), and Toei Oedo Line's "Kokuritsukyo-gijo-mae Station" (about 11 minutes on foot). From major terminal stations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Ueno Station, you can access the stadium with just 1-2 transfers, making public transportation the smoothest option from within the city.
If traveling by car, the "Shuto Expressway Route 4 Shinjuku Line Gaien Exit" is convenient. However, please note that on Sundays and holidays, the circular road of Jingu Gaien is regulated as a cycling course from 9:00 to 17:00. The Kaigakan Parking Lot (operating from 5:30-21:00, until 1 hour after game end on night game days) is available, but since it's not a dedicated parking lot for Jingu Stadium, please be mindful of congestion conditions.
Summary
Jingu Stadium is a famous Tokyo destination where you can enjoy not only baseball games but also events, gourmet food, and sightseeing all together. What captivates visitors is the open-air stadium atmosphere, the cheering style where the stands unite as one, and the unique stadium gourmet offerings. In particular, the umbrella cheering to "Tokyo Ondo" and the beer vendor culture are popular as unique Jingu Stadium experiences.
Additionally, the area around Jingu Stadium features tourist destinations where you can experience history and culture, such as Meiji Jingu and the National Stadium, allowing you to enjoy both sports and sightseeing at once, which is a major attraction. With excellent access from central Tokyo, it's also recommended as a weekend leisure destination or travel stop. Visit Jingu Stadium to fully experience Japanese baseball culture and Tokyo's charm.
※This article is based on information as of June 2025
