Today, baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, where it is known as ‘yakyu.’ Baseball fans in Japan enjoy tournaments of both amateur and professional teams. Baseball has a very distinctive place in the life of Japanese people.

Sports stadiums like the Tokyo Dome, the Jingu Stadium in Tokyo, or the Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Osaka draw crowds of people whenever a game takes place.

Interestingly, instead of using a Japanese variation of the English word for baseball (typically, words of foreign origin are transcribed using the katakana writing system), the Japanese created an entirely new word, ‘yakyu’ as a name for the sport. The kanji for yakyū (野球) literally means "field ball."

The beginnings of baseball in Japan can be traced back to 1872, when Horace Wilson, an American English teacher in Tokyo, introduced the sport to the Japanese faculty and students of the school where he worked. The popularity of the sport quickly spread like wildfire, and it wasn’t long before Japan’s first organized baseball team, the Shimbashi Athletic Club, was established in 1879. However, professional baseball in Japan did not officially begin until the 1920s.

Japan’s first professional league was created in 1936, and after considerable growth, it was split into two separate leagues, the Central League and the Pacific League, collectively known as Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Each league is made up of six teams.

Most of the Baseball teams in Japan are owned by corporations. As such, team names often include corporate names, while others include geographical location names, and others contain a mixture of both.

Each season, teams play 144 games, leading to playoffs, the Japan Series in October, and ultimately, the Asia Series, where Japan’s best square off against baseball teams of other Asian countries.

Hanshin Koshien Stadium, opened in 1924, is a historic baseball stadium located in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the home ballpark for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League.

Koshien Stadium is famous for its iconic ivy-covered outfield wall and the world's last all-dirt professional infield. The stadium is renowned for hosting Japan's prestigious annual high school baseball tournaments in the spring and summer, requiring the Tigers to play many of their home games at alternate sites during these periods.

The stadium has a rich history, having hosted exhibition games featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in 1934.

While the Hanshin Tigers is the primary team, the Orix Buffaloes of the Pacific League occasionally use Koshien Stadium as their home venue when their regular ballpark, Kyocera Dome Osaka, is unavailable.

Tokyo Dome is an iconic indoor baseball stadium located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. Opened in 1988, it serves as the home field for the legendary Yomiuri Giants, one of the most successful and popular professional baseball teams in Japan.

Often referred to as the "New York Yankees of Japan," the Yomiuri Giants have won an impressive 22 Japan Series titles and are owned by the influential Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings media conglomerate. The air-supported dome structure of Tokyo Dome has a maximum capacity of 57,000 and has hosted numerous international baseball tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic and Major League Baseball opening series games.

Beyond baseball, Tokyo Dome is a multipurpose venue that has also held concerts, martial arts events, figure skating shows, and other events.

Yokohama Stadium is the home ballpark of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, a professional baseball team in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Located in central Yokohama, the open-air stadium offers a unique experience with its proximity to the ocean breeze.

The BayStars, founded in 1950 as the Taiyo Whales, have won the Japan Series championship twice (1960 and 1998) and the Central League championship twice. The team's official mascot, DB.Starman, was introduced in 2012 to connect fans with the team's spirit. Game days feature lively events like singing, dance contests, and post-game fireworks or light shows for weekend and holiday victories.

Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, also known as Mazda Stadium, is a baseball stadium in Hiroshima, Japan. Opened in 2009, it serves as the home ballpark for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, a professional baseball team in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

The stadium features a natural grass field, which is rare in Japan, and replaced the former Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, located near the site of the atomic bombing during World War II.

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp, commonly known as the Carp, are one of the most popular and successful teams in the NPB, with 9 Central League championships and 3 Japan Series titles to their name.

Vantelin Dome Nagoya is a large, six-story high dome stadium that serves as the home ground for the Chunichi Dragons, a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League. Opened in 1997, the stadium hosts not only baseball games but also various sports events, concerts, and exhibitions.

The Chunichi Dragons, established in 1936, are the Tokai region's only team, boasting a passionate fan base in Aichi Prefecture. The team has won the Central League Championship 9 times and the Nippon Series twice.

Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium, opened in 1926, is the oldest active baseball stadium in Tokyo and one of the few remaining ballparks where baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played during their 1934 tour of Japan. It serves as the home field for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, a professional baseball team in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League.

The Yakult Swallows, established in 1969, have won 6 Japan Series championships and 9 Central League pennants. The team is known for their unique cheering style where fans open umbrellas and sing together during games. Meiji Jingu Stadium also hosts university and high school baseball games, making it a mecca for Japanese baseball.

Despite its central location in Tokyo, the stadium offers a cozy atmosphere with limited foul territory and seats close to the field.

Es Con Field Hokkaido is a state-of-the-art baseball stadium that opened in 2023 in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido. It serves as the home ballpark for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.

Es Con Field Hokkaido is surrounded by an 80-acre entertainment district known as Hokkaido Ballpark F Village. The stadium features modern amenities such as a glass outfield wall and a five-story multipurpose Tower 11 building with restaurants and a hotel.

The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, formerly based in Tokyo, relocated to Sapporo in 2004 and have won 3 Japan Series titles (1962, 2006, 2016). The team is owned by the food company Nippon Ham and is known for its popular mascots, including Frep the Fox.

Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi is a baseball stadium located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the home ballpark for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, a professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.

The stadium features a unique amusement park called Smile Glico Park, integrated into the left field seating area, complete with a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other attractions.

The Golden Eagles, owned by the Rakuten company, were founded in 2004 and have won one Pacific League pennant and one Japan Series championship in 2013.

Belluna Dome, formerly known as Seibu Dome and MetLife Dome, is a distinctive baseball stadium in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the home field for the Saitama Seibu Lions, a professional baseball team in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.

Initially opened in 1979 as an open-air stadium, it was renovated in the late 1990s to include a retractable roof, transforming it into a domed stadium. Unlike conventional domed stadiums, Belluna Dome lacks outer walls, allowing natural air and elements to permeate the seating area while protecting the field.

Located near Seibukyūjō-mae Station on Seibu Railway's Sayama Line and Yamaguchi Line, Belluna Dome offers convenient access from Tokyo and surrounding areas.

Kyocera Dome, located in Osaka, Japan, is the home stadium of the Orix Buffaloes, a professional baseball team in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League. The multi-purpose retractable roof stadium opened in 1997.

Kyocera Dome serves as one of the two home venues for the Buffaloes, who also play at Hotto Motto Field Kobe. The Orix Buffaloes were formed in 2005 through the merger of the Orix BlueWave and Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, inheriting the rich history and fan base of both former teams.

With their recent success, including Japan Series championships in 2022 and appearances in 2021 and 2023, the Orix Buffaloes have solidified their status as one of the top teams in Japanese professional baseball, making Kyocera Dome a premier destination for fans to witness their thrilling performances.

ZOZO Marine Stadium, situated in Chiba City, is the home ballpark of the Chiba Lotte Marines, a professional baseball team competing in Japan's Pacific League. The stadium has been the Marines' home since 1992.

The Chiba Lotte Marines were established in 1949 as the Mainichi Orions. They have secured four Japan Series championships in 1950, 1974, 2005, and 2010. Initially based in Tokyo, the team moved to Chiba City in 1992, adopting the name "Chiba Lotte Marines" following a fan vote. The "Marines" name reflects the stadium's coastal location.

Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka is a retractable-roof baseball stadium in Fukuoka, Japan. It serves as the home ground for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, a professional baseball team in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League.

The stadium opened in 1993 as Fukuoka Dome and was renamed in 2024 through a naming rights agreement with Mizuho Financial Group and PayPay, making it the first professional baseball stadium in Japan to feature dual corporate names.

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, previously known as the Nankai Hawks and Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, are among the most successful and affluent franchises in Japanese baseball. They have secured 19 Pacific League pennants and 11 Japan Series championships, with their latest victory in 2020. Since being acquired by the SoftBank Group in 2005, the Hawks have focused on analytics and player development, creating a dynasty led by stars such as Yuki Yanagita and Kodai Senga.

The differences between baseball in Japan and those from the sport’s homeland are more than just geographic. While the basic rules are the same, there are a number of variations which make yakyu distinctly Japanese.

・Smaller Area of Play - Japanese baseball uses a smaller field, strike zone, and ball than its overseas counterpart.

・Strategy - Japanese baseball favors the offensive strategy known as “small ball,” of placing runners on base, setting them up for runs, sometimes referred to as “manufactured runs.” This is a contrast to the American emphasis on the “big inning,” which focuses on runs attained through base hits and home runs.

・Limited Innings and Ties - Unlike America’s Major League, Japanese baseball games typically last nine innings. However, in the event of a tie, teams will play extra innings, up to a maximum of 12. Japanese baseball does allow for tie games in the event that there is still a tie at 12 innings.

・Cap Tipping - If a Japanese pitcher accidentally hits a batter, it’s customary for them to tip their cap as a sign of respect and an apology.

・Intense Cheering - In Japanese stadiums, there are special corners designated to cheering fans, that include choreography, musical instruments, and nearly nonstop cheering.

・Fight Songs - Another aspect of yakyu fandom are the fight songs. Known by the players as well as the fans, these songs are specially written for individual teams and played at each game. They can even be found at Japanese karaoke establishments so fans can keep their team spirit up during the off-season.

Japan has proved so dedicated to baseball that many of its top players have crossed over to America’s Major League.

Masanori “Mashi” Murakami was the first such player, who made the transition from the Nankai Hawks to the San Francisco Giants in 1965. His success in the MLB led to other Japanese players joining various American teams.

Among the names are Mac Suzuki, Takashi Kashiwada, Kosuke Fukudome, and of course, the legendary Ichiro Suzuki.

Even more recent superstars that have attained crossover success include Shohei Ohtani, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Koji Uehara, Yu Darvish, Hideo Nomo, and Hideki Matsui.　

If you are a baseball fan and happen to be in Japan during the yakyu season, it’s certainly worth watching Japan’s exciting take on the game!