Characteristics of the Stadiums of Japan’s 12 Professional Baseball Teams!

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan. Each of the twelve teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) owns their home stadium, which not only hosts baseball tournaments but also serves as venues for other sports events and concerts by artists.

Baseball was born in America. However, the victory of the Japanese national team, “Samurai Japan,” in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, along with the celebrated performances of Shohei Ohtani in Major League Baseball, has sparked increased interest in Japanese baseball.

For baseball fans planning a trip to Japan, or those who wish to experience a Japanese baseball game, this article provides a comprehensive introduction to the home stadiums of Japan’s twelve professional baseball teams.

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan consists of the following 12 teams.

Each team owns its home stadium. The history of baseball stadiums in Japan dates back to 1878. That year,the Shinbashi Club, considered the first baseball team in Japan, established a baseball field called “Hokenjo”, which was modeled after American stadiums. Subsequently, as student baseball gained popularity, a full-fledged baseball stadium was constructed in 1924 in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. This stadium is known today as “Hanshin Koshien Stadium,” which is also famous for hosting high school baseball tournaments.

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In 1924, the Hanshin Koshien Stadium was established, followed by the construction of Yokohama Stadium in 1977, which could also be used for concerts. Eleven years later, in 1988, Tokyo Dome was completed as Japan’s first dome stadium with a roof, followed by the construction of dome stadiums in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Nagoya.

These stadiums are primarily used as the home grounds for the 12 teams of Japanese professional baseball. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of each team’s home stadium, including its location, attractions, and other interesting details.

Located in Hokkaido, Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is the new home for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, formerly based at the Sapporo Dome. It is a retractable domed stadium that opened on March 30, 2023. It is located about a 5-minute shuttle bus ride or a 19-minute walk from JR Hokkaido Station.

Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, which has only recently opened, boasts clean interiors and facilities.The stadium includes a hotel with a view of the field, a rooftop bar, and even the world’s first in-stadium hot spring and sauna, making it a venue where both children and adults can thoroughly enjoy themselves, even on non-game days.

Located in Miyagi Prefecture,Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi is the home stadium of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. It is about an 8-minute shuttle bus ride from JR Sendai Station or a 5-minute walk from JR Miyaginohara Station.

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles aim to make Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi a facility that can be enjoyed beyond just baseball games, similar to American ballparks. The stadium features a Ferris wheel with views over the ballpark and BBQ booths where you can enjoy the game while grilling, making it a popular spot for families.

Located in Saitama Prefecture, the Belluna Dome is the dome stadium home of the Saitama Seibu Lions. It is situated just a 2-minute walk from Seibu Railway’s Seibu Stadium-Mae Station.

Modeled after MLB’s Dodger Stadium, the stands and artificial turf are unified in green.The stadium underwent major renovations, which were completed in 2021, and features an enlarged big screen, approximately twice the size of the old one, along with newly installed amusement facilities. The venue also offers a variety of dining options, allowing you to enjoy delicious Japanese food while watching baseball.

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo Dome serves as the home stadium for the Yomiuri Giants. It is conveniently located, being about a 3-minute walk from Toei Subway Suidobashi Station and Tokyo Metro Korakuen Station, and about a 5-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station.

Modeled after the now-defunct Metrodome in the United States, Tokyo Dome is known as Japan’s first all-weather dome stadium. Tokyo Dome City, which is adjacent to the stadium, includes a free-entry amusement park, a commercial facility with hot springs, shopping, and restaurants, and a hotel with over 1,000 guest rooms, offering a variety of amenities for visitors.

Located in Tokyo, Meiji Jingu Stadium is the home stadium of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Gaienmae Station.

Built in 1926, Meiji Jingu Stadium is facing redevelopment due to its aging infrastructure. The demolition and dismantling of the adjacent Jingu Second Stadium began in 2023. The main stadium, Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium, is still hosting baseball games as of April 2024, and spectators can attend games, but it is scheduled to be demolished in a few years. After redevelopment, a new baseball stadium with an attached hotel will be constructed at the current site of Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

Located in Chiba Prefecture, ZOZO Marine Stadium is a multipurpose stadium that serves as the home of the Chiba Lotte Marines. It is about a 6-minute shuttle bus ride or a 15-minute walk from JR Kaihin-Makuhari Station.

The stadium is equipped with major league-level facilities, offering unobstructed views of the field from any seat. It features various types of seating, including traditional single bench seats, family-friendly box seats, couple-friendly wide seats, and a unique tatami-floored private space called “Ozashiki Ballpark” that can accommodate up to eight people.

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama Stadium is a multipurpose stadium and home to the Yokohama DeNA Baystars. It is situated about a 2-minute walk from JR Kannai Station and about a 3-minute walk from Kannai Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway.

Situated within Yokohama Park, Yokohama Stadium was the first multipurpose stadium in Japan and is affectionately known as “Hamasta.” Its amphitheater-like configuration, where the rows of seats vary in height from front to back, allows for an excellent view of the field from any seat. Recent renovations have enhanced the stadium experience even further, with improved event productions, gourmet food options, and even the team’s pwn original craft beer.

Located in Aichi Prefecture, Vantelin Dome Nagoya is the dome stadium home of the Chunichi Dragons. It is about a 5-minute walk from Nagoya Dome-mae Yada Station on the Subway Yutorito Line.

The main attraction of Vantelin Dome is the “106 Vision,” a 106-meter-long high-definition video display system that enhances the game-watching experience.

The name “Vantelin Dome Nagoya” is a temporary name valid from January 2021 to the end of 2025 due to a naming rights agreement, and the dome is still affectionately known as “Nagoya Dome” by the locals.

Located in Osaka Prefecture, Kyocera Dome Osaka is the home of the Orix Buffaloes. It is conveniently situated immediately adjacent to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station on the Osaka Metro and Hanshin Dome-mae Station on the Hanshin Railway.

Kyocera Dome Osaka, the only stadium in Osaka, is notable for its vertical, nine-story structure. The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors not only house spectator seats, but also a variety of food and beverage outlets, allowing fans to enjoy different meals and drinks while watching the game.

Visitor Guide: Kyocera Dome Osaka – Location and Dining Options

Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the home stadium of the Hanshin Tigers and is located in Hyogo prefecture. It is about a 3-minute walk from Hanshin Koshien Station and is easily accessible from Osaka.

As the oldest full-scale baseball stadium in Japan, Hanshin Koshien Stadium can accommodate up to 47,508 spectators, the most in the country. It is also known as the “sacred ground of baseball,” being the venue where high school baseball players from across the nation compete for the top spot. Not only can you watch professional games, but supporting the aspiring young baseball players is also a highly recommended and unforgettable experience.

Located in Hiroshima Prefecture, MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima serves as the multipurpose home stadium for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. It is approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Hiroshima Station and about a 3-minute walk from the Hiroshima Bus Mazda Stadium-mae stop.

Opened in 2009, the relatively new MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima is affectionately known locally as “Mazda Stadium” or “Zoom-Zoom Stadium.” The stadium has adopted features commonly found in Major League ballparks, including unique seating options such as “sand-covered seats” and “barbecue seats,” which allow fans to enjoy a unique viewing experience.

Located in Fukuoka Prefecture,Fukuoka PayPay Dome serves as the retractable roof dome stadium for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. It is about a 15-minute walk from Tojinmachi Station on the Fukuoka City Subway and just a short walk from the Nishitetsu Bus Kyushu Medical Center stop.

Fukuoka PayPay Dome is a circular coliseum style building, with a gently sloping infield stand that offers close views of the field. The dome also boasts a wide array of gourmet options, including popular Hakata delicacies, allowing fans to enjoy both the game and local cuisine.

Each of the twelve professional baseball teams in Japan has its own unique stadium, with features that vary significantly from one venue to the next. Most stadiums offer local gourmet food, and some even have on-site hot springs and amusement parks, making them a treat to visit for both children and adults all day long.

For those interested in watching a baseball game in Japan, why not consider choosing your travel destination based on the intriguing features of these stadiums?

*This article is based on information available as of May 2024.

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