Yokohama Baystars Baseball Game in Yokohama, Japan
When traveling to foreign lands, we make it a priority to sample the local beer, taste the local food and attend live sporting events. For us, it’s the most entertaining way to experience a culture and its people.
Like rugby in New Zealand and ice hockey in Canada, baseball is the king of team sports in Japan. Next to witnessing a live Sumo Wrestling match, attending a Nippon Professional Baseball League game was high on our list of things to do in Japan.
Fortunately for us, the Yokohama Baystars were hosting the Hiroshima Toyo Carp when we were visiting Yokohama. Though the game was played in Yokohama, the cheering fans wearing red in the photo above are actually fans from Hiroshima – now that’s some fan dedication and loyalty!
Yokohama Baystars Stadium
Asahi Beer Girl serving thirsty fans
Cameraman
Yokohama BayStars cheerleaders with Hossy, the team mascot
Yokohama BayStars fans
Similar to a soccer match in Europe or South America, fans are separated on either sides of the stadium
How cool is this – when there is a pitching change the pitcher is driven to the mound!
Do you like attending live sporting events when you travel?
Share you experience in the comments section below!
I had no idea Japan were so interested in baseball. We’re looking forward to going to our first Montreal Canadiens game, getting tickets is the hard part…
Attending a Montreal Canadiens game should be awesome! Hopefully their slow start to the season will translate into cheaper tickets 😉
I haven’t been to a BayStars game yet, but I see the fans leaving the train stations and I can tell you that they all look very passionate. I have been to a few Japan League soccer matches here and the fans are just as passionate and supportive. It’s always great to immerse yourself in the local culture when you travel. Good post!
Totally agree with you Fidel, attending sporting events is a great way to immerse yourself into the local culture. Thanks for stopping by! 😉
I’ve always wanted to take in a baseball game in Japan. In Korea I’ve watched quite a few and I love the different quirks compared to back home. In Korea they have a big cheer-leading section in the outfield. I had no idea about a car driving the pitcher out to the mound – definitely cool!
We found it to be so much more entertaining then an MLB game in the US.
What I liked most was that when one team batted, its fans cheered and sang at the top of their lungs. But when it was time to pitch, they sat back and were very quite, letting the other team’s fans get crazy. It was interesting to watch it all unfold!
Masses and masses of people. Too much activity for me, I would end up people watching everyone else and not the game. Looks fun though…
Definitely a lot of people in Japan! But it’s all very organized and civilized 🙂
I assume the car is for advertising and not because the pitchers are lazy.
Hah… yes, your assumptions are likely correct 🙂
I love watching live games
Cool!! I have to say getting driven to the mound is a little ridiculous, there’s no time for an epic musical entrance 🙂
We’re off to a KHL game tonight between Croatia and Slovenia. Very excited to finally see some ice hockey as it has been over 3 years since I have had the opportunity to go to a game.
Awesome!
When we were in Prague last winter we tried to check out a game as well, but the team wasn’t in town until the day we left.
Should be interesting to compare the atmosphere and style of play!
Now that would be something to see! There were less people in the stands that I expected, Is baseball waning a bit maybe in Japan? I think it was huge in the 80s.
Hard to say. I think it was a mid-week game and I got the feeling that both teams weren’t very good, so perhaps it wasn’t a blockbuster match-up.
Yet again, fantastic use of tilt shift. Great shots and story!
Thanks Alex 🙂
Awesome photos – I love baseball and would love to see a game in japan! 🙂
It was much more exciting than a MLB game in the States. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to check out a Japan League Game in the near future! 😉
That would be fun! Did you go to a sumo match as well? haha
How much was the beer? I went to a MLB game in Oakland in September and the beer was $9 each!! I was bummed 🙁
No, no sumo match unfortunately.
Beers were still pretty expense (when on a backpackers budget), but not $9 expesive – yowzas!!
One of my favorite experiences as well. GO HIROSHIMA CARPS!
Haha… yeah, the Carps fans were without question the most loyal and most enthusiastic!
cool post! In baseball games in the DR they actually danced on top of the dugouts – and the entire audience dances!
I’d love to catch a game in the DR, it produces some top talent for such a small island!
I am going to Japan next month. Will ask my friend to bring me on a baseball match. Can’t miss this 🙂
Great idea to experience the culture by going to a local sporting event!