(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
On Okinawa, spring arrives early and so does baseball season.
For many Japanese pro-baseball players, Feb. 1 marks Day One of training. And many teams of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) head to the sub-tropical islands of Okinawa to kick off the team warm-up. The team arrivals also coincide with another seasonal favorite: cherry blossom season.
Expect many baseball fans and sports media with their eye on this year’s rookies and star players heading toward retirement. Okinawa is definitely the place to be for spring training, especially if you want to catch some of your favorite teams or players or want to watch free games to get acquainted with Japan’s unique baseball culture.
On Okinawa, springtime is a great time for some baseball!
CATCH A GAME
Yomiuri Giants
Date: Feb. 15 – 25
Days off: Feb. 19
Location: Onoyama Sogo Undojo / Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha near Naha Military Port (N 26.203384, E 127.673039)
*Practice games scheduled on Feb 16 and 18 at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha. Preseason games scheduled on Feb. 22 in Ginowan, 23 and 24 at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha.
Hanshin Tigers (To be announced)
Date: Feb. 1 –
Location: Normally, the Tigers hold their spring training at Ginoza-son Yakyujo near Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab (GPS Coordinates: N 26.483346, E 127.974811), Uruma-shi Gushikawa Yakyujo near Camp Courtney (N 26.359484, E 127.865471)
Days off: TBD
Yokohama DeNA Baystars
Date: Feb. 1 – Feb. 24
Days off: Feb. 5, 10, 14, 19
Location: Union Desukara Stadium Ginowan near Camp Foster and MCAS Futenma (GPS Coordinates: N 26.282342, E 127.737392)
*The team will hold practice games in Chatan on Feb 11, Yomitan on Feb 12, Ginowan (Union Desukara Stadium Ginowan) on Feb 8, 13, 15, 20, Naha on Feb 18, Ginoza on Feb 24. Preseason games are scheduled in Ginowan on Feb 22, Urasoe on Feb 23.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Date: Feb. 13 -26
Days off: Feb. 12, 17, 21
Location: Koza Shinkin Stadium near Kadena Air Base and Camp Foster (GPS Coordinates: N 26.332487, E 127.790266)
*Preseason games are scheduled in Chatan on Feb 23, at Koza Shinkin Stadium on Feb 24, in Nago on Feb 25)
Chunichi Dragons
Date: Feb. 1 – 25
Days off: Feb. 5, 10, 14, 21
Location: Agre Stadium Chatan near Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base (GPS Coordinates: N 26.311772, E 127.758383)
*The team will have practice games on Feb 11 (Chatan), 13 (Nago), 15 (Ginowan), 18 (Chatan), 20 (Urasoe). Preseason games will be held at Agre Stadium Chatan on Feb 22, 23, 24.
Yakult Swallows
Date: Feb. 1 – 26
Days off: Feb. 3, 7, 12, 17, 21
Location: ANA Ball Park Urasoe near Camp Kinser (GPS Coordinates: N 26.251269, E 127.724458)
*Preseason games are scheduled at the ANA Ball Park Urasoe on Feb 22 and 23.
Nippon Ham Fighters
Date: Feb. 1 – 26 (-25 at Kaigin Stadium Kunigami)
Days off: TBD
Location: Tapic Stadium Nago (GPS Coordinates: N 26.592702, E 127.966825), Kaigin Stadium Kunigami (GPS Coordinates: N 26.726887, E 128.162040)
*The Fighters will play preseason games in Urasoe on Feb 22 and in Nago on Feb 23.
Chiba Lotte Marines
Date: Feb. 1 – 16 (Ishigaki Island), Feb. 18 – 24 (Itoman City)
Days off: Feb. 6, 12 (Ishigaki Island), Feb. 21 (Itoman City)
Location: Ishigakishi Chuo Koen Yakyujo (GPS Coordinates: N 24.345995, E 124.170769), Itomanshi Nishizaki Sogo Undo Koen (GPS Coordinates: N 26.144957, E 127.662413)
*The team will play preseason games in Chatan on Feb 22, Naha on Feb 24.
Rakuten Eagles
Date: Feb. 1 – (Details of the schedule to be decided)
Days off: TBD
Location: Kincho Baseball Stadium near Camp Hansen (GPS Coordinates: N 26.462314, E 127.941645), Kumejima Yakyujo (GPS Coordinates: N 26.349468, E 126.734698)
*The team will play a practice game at Kincho Baseball Stadium on Feb 11. There will also be preseason games at the same location on Feb 22 and in Nago on Feb 23.
