(Photo by Jun Sakahira)
If you have been to ball games in the U.S., I’m sure you enjoyed not only the game, but also the atmosphere each ballpark has to offer. For a baseball fanatic like me who has been to 17 different stadiums in the U.S. and all 12 of the Japanese stadiums, just going to a new one is a fun experience. What are stadiums like in Japan? From almost century old Koshien and Jingu Stadiums to newly opened Es Con Field Hokkaido, Nippon Professional Baseball stadiums offer quite unique experiences, too.
Until 2004, when the realignment of the Japanese league took place, organizations did not pay too much attention to stadium atmosphere. Dominated by male audience, a ball game experience was mostly focused on the game itself. Also, during this time, several teams were on the verge of folding because of financial difficulties. So, teams started looking at improving their services and stadium experiences.
Teams started renovating the stadiums by imitating Major League stadiums. Japanese stadiums built or refurbished after the realignment are like those of MLB. Es Con Field is literally in the middle of nowhere, but with a hotel, villa, playground, bar, hot springs facility, etc., the whole complex offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It is by far my favorite stadium in Japan and reminds me of MLB stadiums. Another one I recommend is MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima. But if you would like to experience more nostalgic Japanese ball game experience, Koshien and Jingu are the ones to visit.
Hope to see you at a ballpark near you!
