Baseball Games in Japan

I’m not a sports person. I’ve never been to a baseball game in America, and I’ve never even played a sport in school. But man, do I love baseball in Japan.

Whenever I work for the Global English Camp program, I attend at least one baseball game. In my opinion, baseball in Japan is nothing like baseball in America.

Keep in mind that this is my own perception. Everyone’s experience may be different. But after enjoying many, many, baseball games in Japan without having any interest in sports—to be honest, I hardly even know the rules of baseball—you may want to consider buying a ticket.

Why?

Players have theme songs.

Not only that, but everyone in the bleachers usually knows every word to these songs. There are even accompanying gestures and claps that you’re expected to remember. Live brass instrumentation play from everywhere at once. It’s like you’re living in a flash mob.

There’s props.

Sometimes. At least, for the Swallows —the best team ever—people lift special miniature umbrellas whenever a home run is scored. Of course, a special song plays here, too. Fans sing the words as they raise the umbrellas to the beat. If you don’t own an umbrella, those sitting by you often let you borrow one. They may even shove it in your hands! You have to celebrate! Which brings me into my last point.

The communal atmosphere.

Regardless of language barriers, chances are you’ll still end up high-fiving the people sitting by you. You’ll cheer, you’ll laugh, and you’ll cry.

Now, I’ve never been to a baseball game in America, but I’ve heard rumors. There are aggressive people, dirty bleaches, and lots of drinks. Yes, people still drink and get excited in Japan—but whereas that atmosphere is sometimes described as rowdy and gross in America, it’s more fun in Japan, and, in my opinion, more like a big hangout session with others rooting for the same team. 

Any negatives?

I’ve only attended baseball games with my friends, so going alone may be a different experience. Tickets can also be challenging to buy if you don’t speak Japanese, as those are purchased at convenience stores or the stadium itself. But if you want to herd a group of your friends and root for the Swallows in Tokyo this summer, I highly recommend it.

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Written by Paige Goetz, Director of Communications