Did you know?: NPB, professional baseball in Japan

(Stripes Okinawa)

Today, just like the National and American Leagues in Major League Baseball, there are two leagues in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) – Central and Pacific. With the 12 teams scattered from Hokkaido to Kyushu, many of Japan’s major cities have a team to call their own. For those on the mainland, check out the team closest to you and visit a ballpark during the season. Although Okinawa doesn’t have a team, the island hosts Spring Training for many squads, and games are easy and often free to attend in February!