Favorite Japanese Stadium?
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Favorite Japanese Stadium?
This is a topic that has been touched on in other forums, but I was just curious what posters here consider the best stadium in Japan for watching ball. Of course you can define "best" as you wish, depending on your baseball watching likes and dislikes. Fire away and tell us what you think.
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Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 18, 2006 10:50 AM
| HAN Fan
]
No 1 for me is Jingu, if only for the setting. It's surrounded by trees and other sporting stadiums, and on a warm summer evening is a marvelous and relaxing experience. Couple that with the lemon sours (shochu and lemon in a tall glass) and it is a great way to watch baseball. The only thing they could improve would be to remove the artificial grass and replace it with real grass.
Next would be Koshien - this stadium has the most exuberant and lively atmosphere you could imagine, even though its surrounding environment isn't the most wonderful.
Of the domes, Seibu is probably the best because it is open at the sides, but it is a nightmare to get to.
Chiba Marine has no personality and is a nightmare to get to.
Tokyo Dome is surprisingly good - well organized, and as long as they don't run out of beer, very nice. Atmosphere is great for Tigers/Giants games.
Osaka Dome is an awful stadium with lots of dead space where you cannot see the action. The best seats are actually the restaurant area, but who wants to sit in a restaurant for three hours? It has a good selection of Tigers goods though.
All domes suffer from the viewing problem to some extent with Tokyo being the best of the closed domes (though I have never been to Nagoya).
Hiroshima and Yokohama are tatty dumps. Yokohama's management is petty (they ban jettos - a recent development) and the food is appalling - you don't expect haute cuisine, but what they serve up is truly abysmal. If you go to Yokohama eat before you get to the stadium.
Next would be Koshien - this stadium has the most exuberant and lively atmosphere you could imagine, even though its surrounding environment isn't the most wonderful.
Of the domes, Seibu is probably the best because it is open at the sides, but it is a nightmare to get to.
Chiba Marine has no personality and is a nightmare to get to.
Tokyo Dome is surprisingly good - well organized, and as long as they don't run out of beer, very nice. Atmosphere is great for Tigers/Giants games.
Osaka Dome is an awful stadium with lots of dead space where you cannot see the action. The best seats are actually the restaurant area, but who wants to sit in a restaurant for three hours? It has a good selection of Tigers goods though.
All domes suffer from the viewing problem to some extent with Tokyo being the best of the closed domes (though I have never been to Nagoya).
Hiroshima and Yokohama are tatty dumps. Yokohama's management is petty (they ban jettos - a recent development) and the food is appalling - you don't expect haute cuisine, but what they serve up is truly abysmal. If you go to Yokohama eat before you get to the stadium.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: firearmofmutiny | Posted: Sep 18, 2006 7:31 PM
| CD Fan
]
Thanks for your take. I went to Nagoya Dome on Saturday, and I was less than impressed with the facility, but it's not going to deter me from going to more Dragons games. (I'd take it over the Metrodome!)
Next year I plan to go to all the stadiums (or at least one home game per team), and I'm most excited about going to Koshien and Sapporo Dome, knowing nothing about the surrounding area around the stadium.
Next year I plan to go to all the stadiums (or at least one home game per team), and I'm most excited about going to Koshien and Sapporo Dome, knowing nothing about the surrounding area around the stadium.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 18, 2006 8:26 PM
]
Koshien is an easy #1 for me, despite the obvious bias of being just 30 minutes away. The food is horrible, the bathrooms are dirty, and the surroundings are ugly, but Koshien still wins easily on atmosphere alone. You can count on it being more or less full almost any night of the week, and once you are inside the stadium and the sun is setting, the surroundings actually look pretty.
I've been to a number of other stadiums in Japan, and now everything pales compared to Koshien. I usually go to the Tigers opening series at the Osaka Dome mostly out of the necessity of missing baseball, but I agree that it's a terrible place to watch a game.
It's a shame that the Buffaloes play at Osaka Dome more than Skymark, as Skymark is maybe my second choice, especially when the Tigers are there and the place gets atmosphere. If the roaming beer vendors would stock more than Malts, and they didn't insist on seeing your ticket every time you try to get back to your seat, it would rate even higher!
I've been to a number of other stadiums in Japan, and now everything pales compared to Koshien. I usually go to the Tigers opening series at the Osaka Dome mostly out of the necessity of missing baseball, but I agree that it's a terrible place to watch a game.
It's a shame that the Buffaloes play at Osaka Dome more than Skymark, as Skymark is maybe my second choice, especially when the Tigers are there and the place gets atmosphere. If the roaming beer vendors would stock more than Malts, and they didn't insist on seeing your ticket every time you try to get back to your seat, it would rate even higher!
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: torakichi | Posted: Sep 19, 2006 12:22 AM
| HT Fan
]
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "favorite stadium", but there's a particular section of seats I like at Osaka Dome. The level immediately under the lowest row of seats in the outfield (i.e., it's built into the outfield wall rather than sitting atop it) is occupied by a diner. Most of the seats face the field, so you can watch the game as you eat. Because you're right up against the outfield wall, the view is better than all but the very front row of the outfield seats; you can see the whole field. There's a net covering the gap in the outfield wall to stop long balls landing in your rice.
Needless to say, this area doesn't have the same atmosphere as the outfield seats, but it's good if you actually want to sit and study the game.
In fact, I think I posted something about these seats before. Hang on ... [rummage rummage] ... found it!
<digression>
Some trivia for you, Christopher. Did you know that sours (I assume you're talking about chu-hai, right?) don't actually contain any shochu anymore? Nowadays, we're fobbed off with vodka.
</digression>
Needless to say, this area doesn't have the same atmosphere as the outfield seats, but it's good if you actually want to sit and study the game.
In fact, I think I posted something about these seats before. Hang on ... [rummage rummage] ... found it!
<digression>
Some trivia for you, Christopher. Did you know that sours (I assume you're talking about chu-hai, right?) don't actually contain any shochu anymore? Nowadays, we're fobbed off with vodka.
</digression>
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 19, 2006 8:35 AM
| HAN Fan
]
Yes, chu-hai is the Osaka name. Sours are the Tokyo name. I didn't know about the vodka, though, and all the places I go to in Tokyo make them fresh with shochu (still). I'm not sure about Jingu though (even though they make them fresh) - even with vodka, it's a nice long drink.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 19, 2006 8:16 PM
]
- I went to Nagoya Dome on Saturday, and I was less than impressed with the facility.
I haven't been there, but have heard bad things as well. My friend visited every stadium in Japan and actually left the game at the Nagoya Dome early. Perhaps we should change this thread to both best and worst stadiums.
As far as one of the best (Skymark) and one of the worst (Osaka Dome), does anyone know if the Buffalo games at Skymark will be even further reduced or eliminated altogether now that the corporation has bought the Osaka Dome? That would be a shame.
I haven't been there, but have heard bad things as well. My friend visited every stadium in Japan and actually left the game at the Nagoya Dome early. Perhaps we should change this thread to both best and worst stadiums.
As far as one of the best (Skymark) and one of the worst (Osaka Dome), does anyone know if the Buffalo games at Skymark will be even further reduced or eliminated altogether now that the corporation has bought the Osaka Dome? That would be a shame.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Sara B | Posted: Sep 20, 2006 12:00 AM
| HT Fan
]
No question, Koshien is a fantastic stadium, and it's probably my favorite of all the places I have seen baseball over the years.
I'll play Devil's Advocate for a second here, regarding the Osaka Dome. Having hated the indoor ball I have seen (in Minneapolis and Seattle), I'd suggest it's unfair to compare Domeball to Naturalball - it's a very different experience. Strictly from the Domeball angle, I like the Osaka Dome. For one, the air conditioning can be a life-saver in the mushi-atsui (humid) summer. The seats behind home plate are comfy, and the food is better than usual. Plus, I agree about that great selection of Tigers goods.
Now I'll qualify all that by saying - baseball, nonetheless, is an outdoor sport and doesn't belong in a Dome. If you do stuff it there, however, I can testify that there are worse domes than in Osaka.
I'll play Devil's Advocate for a second here, regarding the Osaka Dome. Having hated the indoor ball I have seen (in Minneapolis and Seattle), I'd suggest it's unfair to compare Domeball to Naturalball - it's a very different experience. Strictly from the Domeball angle, I like the Osaka Dome. For one, the air conditioning can be a life-saver in the mushi-atsui (humid) summer. The seats behind home plate are comfy, and the food is better than usual. Plus, I agree about that great selection of Tigers goods.
Now I'll qualify all that by saying - baseball, nonetheless, is an outdoor sport and doesn't belong in a Dome. If you do stuff it there, however, I can testify that there are worse domes than in Osaka.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 20, 2006 12:09 PM
]
Anyone out there been to Sapporo Dome? I used to live there when they didn't have a team, and outside games at tiny Maruyama Kyujo was a great baseball experience. Considering this and my dome bias, I don't have high expectations for Sapporo Dome. How would people out there rate it (disregarding Shinjo's annoying antics)?
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 4:33 PM
| SL Fan
]
Great thread! Having only been to a limited number of stadiums, my favorite is Jingu. A cozy little neighborhood stadium in the heart of the city. I didn't think Yokohama was all that bad, better than any dome (am I setting the bar too low?).
I've never been to Skymark and Koshien, so I have to experience that soon. It's such a waste that Skymark's not going to be used in the future (oh c'mon expansion - however unlikely), but I heard access to there isn't great (could it be worse than Seibu though?). Strangely, Seibu Stadium used to have natural grass outfield picnic seating, but artificial turf playing surface. Now they're both Astroturf thanks to the roof.
I've never been to Skymark and Koshien, so I have to experience that soon. It's such a waste that Skymark's not going to be used in the future (oh c'mon expansion - however unlikely), but I heard access to there isn't great (could it be worse than Seibu though?). Strangely, Seibu Stadium used to have natural grass outfield picnic seating, but artificial turf playing surface. Now they're both Astroturf thanks to the roof.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 6:09 PM
| HAN Fan
]
There was an approach made to the Tigers asking them to use it more now that Orix have moved. The Tigers' initial response was positive, but beyond that I haven't heard whether they will play games there or not.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: rockfender | Posted: Sep 23, 2006 6:25 AM
| HNHF Fan
]
- Anyone out there been to Sapporo Dome? I used to live there when they didn't have a team, and outside games at tiny Maruyama Kyujo was a great baseball experience.
I went to Sapporo Dome this summer and I thought that it was a pretty nice stadium. Since it was built only about eight years ago, everything is very modern and clean - but consequently the stadium doesn't have much "character" to speak of. Walking around in the concourse, I felt like I was in an airport. The sight lines were really good, though, and from what I could tell it seemed like every seat in the house had a good view. There's not much outside of the stadium, and there isn't a subway line that runs directly to the dome, so getting there may be an issue for some. Overall, it was one of the nicer domes I've ever been to for a baseball game, but I would never take it over an outdoor park.
I went to Sapporo Dome this summer and I thought that it was a pretty nice stadium. Since it was built only about eight years ago, everything is very modern and clean - but consequently the stadium doesn't have much "character" to speak of. Walking around in the concourse, I felt like I was in an airport. The sight lines were really good, though, and from what I could tell it seemed like every seat in the house had a good view. There's not much outside of the stadium, and there isn't a subway line that runs directly to the dome, so getting there may be an issue for some. Overall, it was one of the nicer domes I've ever been to for a baseball game, but I would never take it over an outdoor park.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 20, 2006 6:28 PM
| HT Fan
]
- Yes, chu-hai is the Osaka name. Sours are the Tokyo name.
Ha! No wonder I don't like Tokyo. What a pretentious place - selling "lemon sours" at a baseball game. What's wrong with plain old beer and yakitori I ask you?
Ha! No wonder I don't like Tokyo. What a pretentious place - selling "lemon sours" at a baseball game. What's wrong with plain old beer and yakitori I ask you?
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 8:37 AM
| HAN Fan
]
If you'd tried them at Yokohama you wouldn't have to ask.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 9:27 AM
| HT Fan
]
They're available in Yokohama, too? What's the world coming to?
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 12:18 PM
| HAN Fan
]
The beer and yakitori, not the sours.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 21, 2006 9:54 PM
| HT Fan
]
I see. That must be one of the advantages of living in Kansai then. 
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Jingu Bleacher Bum | Posted: Sep 22, 2006 1:15 PM
| YAK Fan
]
Why is there this wild misconception that Seibu Dome is so hard to get to? I'll bet most of the people saying that live in the Southern part of Tokyo/Kanto. When ever anyone asks me why I live so far away in Tokorozawa (which is where Seibu Dome is located) I always have to tell them that it's only a 25 minute train ride into the main part of Tokyo. I've got some friends that live in Hachioji, Tokyo, and it takes them longer to get into the main part of Tokyo than it would for me.
On game days the Seibu line has plenty of trains that go directly in front of the stadium, and sometimes they even set up a special train from Tokyo which doesn't make any stops along the way. (I forget the name of the train, not the Red Arrow though.) This train also usually has special announcers with commentary the whole ride. So for all you moaners out there, remember Seibu is a Saitama team, not Tokyo. From my point of view, Yokohama Stadium would be hard to get to. (Why am I sticking up for Seibu when I'm a Yakult fan?)
Anyways, I'd have to agree that in the late summertime, Jingu is awesome for night games with a refreshing beer. Out of the domed stadiums I've been to, I don't particularly like Fukuoka and Tokyo Domes. Seibu Dome isn't bad, but could use some better food.
I haven't heard too many reviews on Rakuten's Fullcast Stadium. Anyone been there yet?
On game days the Seibu line has plenty of trains that go directly in front of the stadium, and sometimes they even set up a special train from Tokyo which doesn't make any stops along the way. (I forget the name of the train, not the Red Arrow though.) This train also usually has special announcers with commentary the whole ride. So for all you moaners out there, remember Seibu is a Saitama team, not Tokyo. From my point of view, Yokohama Stadium would be hard to get to. (Why am I sticking up for Seibu when I'm a Yakult fan?)
Anyways, I'd have to agree that in the late summertime, Jingu is awesome for night games with a refreshing beer. Out of the domed stadiums I've been to, I don't particularly like Fukuoka and Tokyo Domes. Seibu Dome isn't bad, but could use some better food.
I haven't heard too many reviews on Rakuten's Fullcast Stadium. Anyone been there yet?
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Sep 22, 2006 5:24 PM
| SL Fan
]
Hahaha, the misunderstood Seibu stadium (rumors are that naming rights are going to Seven & i Holdings). Well, with the wheel and spoke construction of the Tokyo rail system, getting to Seibu stadium takes longer than it should for most people unless they live along the Seibu lines. And the stadium is located right on the border between south Saitama and west Tokyo, both part of the Musashino area, hence the team's perpetual identity crisis as a Saitama/Tokyo team as it's not central to either prefecture.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Deanna | Posted: Sep 23, 2006 6:17 AM
| NIP Fan
]
I've really got to finish up the post I have in mind for my own blog and post it here, too.
I visited 9 stadiums in Japan in the first 16 days of September. I went to Fullcast, and I liked it a lot, actually, quite possibly more than any of the other stadiums I went to. The seats at Fullcast are pretty comfortable, seem reasonably angled for baseball, the outfield lawn seats are actually real lawn as far as I could tell, they have ample seating in the home outfield cheering section, the food selection is great, the bathrooms are nice, the access from the main Sendai JR station is pretty easy (you need to take another train to Miyaginobara station in theory, but it's really only a mile or so from the main JR station), and the surrounding area seemed pretty reasonable.
In fact, the only real downside of Miyagi Fullcast stadium, as far as I can tell, is that you have to watch the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Of course, I was there on an absolutely beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, for an Eagles-Hawks game, Ichiba vs. Saitoh, which might be coloring my perceptions a little.
I don't think Seibu Dome is that hard to get to per se, but it does take a lot longer than I thought it would, since I got the timing wrong for the express trains. I usually stay in Ikebukuro though, so the order of how long it takes me on average to get to the "Tokyo-area" stadiums is ranked something like: Tokyo Dome, 10 minutes; Jingu, 20 minutes; Seibu, 40 minutes; Chiba and Yokohama, 75 minutes. I was thinking it'd be more fair for me to base times on the Tokyo JR station though, which makes Chiba and Yokohama a lot closer and Seibu a lot further.
I visited 9 stadiums in Japan in the first 16 days of September. I went to Fullcast, and I liked it a lot, actually, quite possibly more than any of the other stadiums I went to. The seats at Fullcast are pretty comfortable, seem reasonably angled for baseball, the outfield lawn seats are actually real lawn as far as I could tell, they have ample seating in the home outfield cheering section, the food selection is great, the bathrooms are nice, the access from the main Sendai JR station is pretty easy (you need to take another train to Miyaginobara station in theory, but it's really only a mile or so from the main JR station), and the surrounding area seemed pretty reasonable.
In fact, the only real downside of Miyagi Fullcast stadium, as far as I can tell, is that you have to watch the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Of course, I was there on an absolutely beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, for an Eagles-Hawks game, Ichiba vs. Saitoh, which might be coloring my perceptions a little.
I don't think Seibu Dome is that hard to get to per se, but it does take a lot longer than I thought it would, since I got the timing wrong for the express trains. I usually stay in Ikebukuro though, so the order of how long it takes me on average to get to the "Tokyo-area" stadiums is ranked something like: Tokyo Dome, 10 minutes; Jingu, 20 minutes; Seibu, 40 minutes; Chiba and Yokohama, 75 minutes. I was thinking it'd be more fair for me to base times on the Tokyo JR station though, which makes Chiba and Yokohama a lot closer and Seibu a lot further.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: Tony Dragons (forgotten password) | Posted: Sep 23, 2006 9:44 AM
]
I've been to all 13 stadiums used in Japan at some point in the last 2 years, so I hope my insight is of some interest:
No 1 - Koshien (4 times + next week + 1 day at summer high school tournament last year)
The atmosphere is just amazing. First two times I went there I was amongst Tigers fans in my Dragons uniform, as I will be next Friday. (Not on the right field side I might add.) I wouldn't say the fans have been friendly to me, but they haven't been hostile, and well, I wouldn't really care anyway. It's a great feeling when you are amongst the couple of hundred or so away fans (in the visitor area now I mean), singing against 40,000 Tigers. The atmosphere is special and I highly recommend anyone who hasn't been there to go. The food is terrible though, I agree.
No 2 - Jingu (6 times + today and tomorrow)
I guess I like this in a similar way to Koshien, in that it's old and dirty, but has a load of character. The food choices are good, the sours are excellent (thanks for the advice from another thread on that one), and there are no home fans taking up the away end in general. You've gotta like the Swallows, too. Anyone playing directly against the Giants in their own backyard deserves some support!
No 3 - Nagoya Dome (countless times)
I can see why some people are not all that keen on this stadium, but it's home. It's where I learned baseball (being British and all). The food is terrible (but better than Koshien), and the staff can be annoying, but the views are good from most places, the cheerleaders are beautiful, and the music used to introduce the games before the the all-star break this year gave me goosebumps. Most importantly, I know people in there and I kind of feel like I own the place!
No 4 - Fukuoka Dome (2 times)
This was just a great weekend last year. One great game, very friendly people, lots of yellow baloons to "isa yuke ...," and I finally learned the players' tunes here. Always have good times in Fukuoka.
No 5 - Yokohama Stadium (4 times)
I'm unbeaten here. That's got to make you like a place. Always good to catch up with kanto dorakichi also. Location is great for after game beers and noodles.
No 6 - Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (2 times)
What really impressed me here was the outside of the stadium, seeing how much effort is being put into promoting the Eagles. The Dragons won both games, beef tongue tasted good despite the advice of the oendan to the contrary (US BSE concerns), and it is good to see that Rakuten has a few fans.
No 7 - Hiroshima Shimin (6 times)
After losing the first 4 times, finally won a couple a few weeks back, so I can enjoy my trips down south a bit more. I really enjoy outdoor games, and the location of this stadium is really quite unique. The "Carp Ladies" in left field are hardly what I'd call ladies, but at least they're trying. And Slyly has a bit of character. (Oops, forgot to mention Mr. Carrasco before!).
No 8 - Tokyo Dome (2 times)
Both times I went there I couldn't get tickets in the visitor section, which dampened my impressions a little (as did the 15 runs we gave up on the second night). Still, I was overall impressed, one at how similar it was to Nagoya Dome (or vice versa as I probably should say), but the obviously bigger and secondly fact was that Giants fans actually make some noise, they never do in Nagoya!
No 9 - Sapporo Dome (2 times)
Slight Central League bias above, so apologies to all the following stadia. Only been here for two pre-season encounters after a week snowboarding, so atmosphere was hard to judge (apart from when news filtered through that Fukudome had hit the go-ahead home run in the WBC semi-final). Nice enough stadium, would like to go back. So far away, but Japan Series, you never know! Couldn't stop thinking about David Beckham's winning penalty against Argentina in the World Cup, and about how you get a football (soccer) field in there.
No 10 - Skymark Stadium (1 time)
Seems like so long ago I went here (inter-league opening weekend last year). I believe this Sunday game was the Dragons' first ever inter-league victory, and they didn't win too many more last year. Good day, good crowd. Good beer. Had a free shinkansen pass (my Dad had left it for me as he'd just gone back home), so did the whole day from Nagoya. Might go back one day.
No 11 - Chiba Marine (1 time + today)
This stadium is a ridiculous trek from the station. The line for tickets outside was a joke. On TV the weather always looks terrible. But I'm giving it another chance. Will be amongst the Marines today for my first ever PL-only game (before heading back to Jingu for the real thing!).
No 12 - Osaka Dome (2 times)
Didn't like the fact that we Dragons fans were put on the top level (I guess the Tigers rule the world!), but the top level perhaps looked better than the lower tier. Something about the whole stadium didn't look right, though. It was a good experience because going here meant I'd been in all stadiums in Japan (see below).
No 13 - Seibu Dome (0 times, but went there on the morning of a Giants-Dragons game to see what it looked like, and it was open for some kind of Junior High School event, which was nice.)
Very relaxing 45 minutes or so watching hundreds of little kids on the diamond followed by a short game (3 inning I think). Like all Dragons, we want revenge on the Lions in the Japan Series, which would give me a chance to judge this stadium properly. I've never seen the Lions in a regular season game, only in the Series a couple of years ago (at Nagoya) and in a 2003 pre-season game in Komaki, my first ever baseball game. Would like to experience a game from the outfield of this stadium.
Also been to - Komaki Stadium, Komaki, Aichi; Nagaragawa Stadium, Gifu (great day out, organizational nightmare, but lots of fun), and Botchan Staduim, Matsuyama (very nice structure, if Shikoku ever merits a team).
Got to get to Chiba for a 1 pm start against the Fighters, and then back to Jingu for a 6:20 lemon sour, my 32nd Dragons game of the season (and 33rd overall, not including pre-season (3) and games rained-out (3)). Hope this was of some interest.
A quick thank you to all who contribute regularly. I don't have a computer at home, so I don't feel it appropriate to contribute too much (as it could be up to 2 or 3 weeks before I can respond again), but I always read this site whenever I'm in an internet cafe, often on a Dragons road-trip, and it is always enjoyable and informative.
Tony
No 1 - Koshien (4 times + next week + 1 day at summer high school tournament last year)
The atmosphere is just amazing. First two times I went there I was amongst Tigers fans in my Dragons uniform, as I will be next Friday. (Not on the right field side I might add.) I wouldn't say the fans have been friendly to me, but they haven't been hostile, and well, I wouldn't really care anyway. It's a great feeling when you are amongst the couple of hundred or so away fans (in the visitor area now I mean), singing against 40,000 Tigers. The atmosphere is special and I highly recommend anyone who hasn't been there to go. The food is terrible though, I agree.
No 2 - Jingu (6 times + today and tomorrow)
I guess I like this in a similar way to Koshien, in that it's old and dirty, but has a load of character. The food choices are good, the sours are excellent (thanks for the advice from another thread on that one), and there are no home fans taking up the away end in general. You've gotta like the Swallows, too. Anyone playing directly against the Giants in their own backyard deserves some support!
No 3 - Nagoya Dome (countless times)
I can see why some people are not all that keen on this stadium, but it's home. It's where I learned baseball (being British and all). The food is terrible (but better than Koshien), and the staff can be annoying, but the views are good from most places, the cheerleaders are beautiful, and the music used to introduce the games before the the all-star break this year gave me goosebumps. Most importantly, I know people in there and I kind of feel like I own the place!
No 4 - Fukuoka Dome (2 times)
This was just a great weekend last year. One great game, very friendly people, lots of yellow baloons to "isa yuke ...," and I finally learned the players' tunes here. Always have good times in Fukuoka.
No 5 - Yokohama Stadium (4 times)
I'm unbeaten here. That's got to make you like a place. Always good to catch up with kanto dorakichi also. Location is great for after game beers and noodles.
No 6 - Fullcast Stadium Miyagi (2 times)
What really impressed me here was the outside of the stadium, seeing how much effort is being put into promoting the Eagles. The Dragons won both games, beef tongue tasted good despite the advice of the oendan to the contrary (US BSE concerns), and it is good to see that Rakuten has a few fans.
No 7 - Hiroshima Shimin (6 times)
After losing the first 4 times, finally won a couple a few weeks back, so I can enjoy my trips down south a bit more. I really enjoy outdoor games, and the location of this stadium is really quite unique. The "Carp Ladies" in left field are hardly what I'd call ladies, but at least they're trying. And Slyly has a bit of character. (Oops, forgot to mention Mr. Carrasco before!).
No 8 - Tokyo Dome (2 times)
Both times I went there I couldn't get tickets in the visitor section, which dampened my impressions a little (as did the 15 runs we gave up on the second night). Still, I was overall impressed, one at how similar it was to Nagoya Dome (or vice versa as I probably should say), but the obviously bigger and secondly fact was that Giants fans actually make some noise, they never do in Nagoya!
No 9 - Sapporo Dome (2 times)
Slight Central League bias above, so apologies to all the following stadia. Only been here for two pre-season encounters after a week snowboarding, so atmosphere was hard to judge (apart from when news filtered through that Fukudome had hit the go-ahead home run in the WBC semi-final). Nice enough stadium, would like to go back. So far away, but Japan Series, you never know! Couldn't stop thinking about David Beckham's winning penalty against Argentina in the World Cup, and about how you get a football (soccer) field in there.
No 10 - Skymark Stadium (1 time)
Seems like so long ago I went here (inter-league opening weekend last year). I believe this Sunday game was the Dragons' first ever inter-league victory, and they didn't win too many more last year. Good day, good crowd. Good beer. Had a free shinkansen pass (my Dad had left it for me as he'd just gone back home), so did the whole day from Nagoya. Might go back one day.
No 11 - Chiba Marine (1 time + today)
This stadium is a ridiculous trek from the station. The line for tickets outside was a joke. On TV the weather always looks terrible. But I'm giving it another chance. Will be amongst the Marines today for my first ever PL-only game (before heading back to Jingu for the real thing!).
No 12 - Osaka Dome (2 times)
Didn't like the fact that we Dragons fans were put on the top level (I guess the Tigers rule the world!), but the top level perhaps looked better than the lower tier. Something about the whole stadium didn't look right, though. It was a good experience because going here meant I'd been in all stadiums in Japan (see below).
No 13 - Seibu Dome (0 times, but went there on the morning of a Giants-Dragons game to see what it looked like, and it was open for some kind of Junior High School event, which was nice.)
Very relaxing 45 minutes or so watching hundreds of little kids on the diamond followed by a short game (3 inning I think). Like all Dragons, we want revenge on the Lions in the Japan Series, which would give me a chance to judge this stadium properly. I've never seen the Lions in a regular season game, only in the Series a couple of years ago (at Nagoya) and in a 2003 pre-season game in Komaki, my first ever baseball game. Would like to experience a game from the outfield of this stadium.
Also been to - Komaki Stadium, Komaki, Aichi; Nagaragawa Stadium, Gifu (great day out, organizational nightmare, but lots of fun), and Botchan Staduim, Matsuyama (very nice structure, if Shikoku ever merits a team).
Got to get to Chiba for a 1 pm start against the Fighters, and then back to Jingu for a 6:20 lemon sour, my 32nd Dragons game of the season (and 33rd overall, not including pre-season (3) and games rained-out (3)). Hope this was of some interest.
A quick thank you to all who contribute regularly. I don't have a computer at home, so I don't feel it appropriate to contribute too much (as it could be up to 2 or 3 weeks before I can respond again), but I always read this site whenever I'm in an internet cafe, often on a Dragons road-trip, and it is always enjoyable and informative.
Tony
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: zman | Posted: Sep 24, 2006 12:44 AM
]
Agree with most of the posters here that Jingu and Koshein are the tops. Jingu is so much fun, the umbrellas? Come on. The place looks like jelly fish heaven when the fans get charged up.
But nothing, I mean nothing, beats a game at Koshien. That is the best fan experience at a baseball game that I have ever seen. The balloons, the chants, the middle-aged guys leading the chants with the white gloves. It's also a great place to make new friends, if you know what I mean, and I think you do. Getting tickets is the drawback to Koshien.
Can't see the charm in Skymark. Went there years ago when Ichiro was playing still here in Japan. Place was empty and cold that day. Considering the low turnout at that stadium, it's way, way too big. Doomed stadiums are terrible, suitable only for horrible J-pop bands and tractor pulls, not baseball.
Tony, very nice post. Think I will try to get to Sendai to enjoy a game up there at some point. Perhaps when the Tigers visit next season.
But nothing, I mean nothing, beats a game at Koshien. That is the best fan experience at a baseball game that I have ever seen. The balloons, the chants, the middle-aged guys leading the chants with the white gloves. It's also a great place to make new friends, if you know what I mean, and I think you do. Getting tickets is the drawback to Koshien.
Can't see the charm in Skymark. Went there years ago when Ichiro was playing still here in Japan. Place was empty and cold that day. Considering the low turnout at that stadium, it's way, way too big. Doomed stadiums are terrible, suitable only for horrible J-pop bands and tractor pulls, not baseball.
Tony, very nice post. Think I will try to get to Sendai to enjoy a game up there at some point. Perhaps when the Tigers visit next season.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 24, 2006 11:38 AM
]
- First two times I went there I was amongst Tigers fans in my Dragons uniform, as I will be next Friday.
Tony Dragons, where are you sitting for the game? I will be there the same night in the 3-rui Alps. If you happen to be in the same section (there's no access otherwise), I'll be the American in the Kanemoto jersey. I like the Dragons next after the Tigers, so I might even protect you and your Dragons jersey if things get too rowdy.
Tony Dragons, where are you sitting for the game? I will be there the same night in the 3-rui Alps. If you happen to be in the same section (there's no access otherwise), I'll be the American in the Kanemoto jersey. I like the Dragons next after the Tigers, so I might even protect you and your Dragons jersey if things get too rowdy.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 24, 2006 3:44 PM
]
- Can't see the charm in Skymark. Went there years ago when Ichiro was playing still here in Japan. Place was empty and cold that day.
I felt the same way when I went there first in 2000. Ichiro was still around, but it wasn't enough to put a lot of people in the stands. We sat in right field and could have set up our own BBQ pit with the room around us. Seeing the Tigers play there though makes it 100 times better. Added atmosphere aside, it's a beautiful stadium - bigger seats than Koshien, great surrounding views, occasional fireworks, and the best hot dogs amongst Japanese stadiums (which might not be saying much, but sometimes you need a taste of home).
The only drawback is entering the place and having to see oversized pictures of the dynamic washed-up duo, Kiyohara and Nori. If these are the faces of the franchise, you can see why they're in so much trouble.
In any case, Skymark is a great place for baseball when it's full. Hopefully it will still be used in the future.
I felt the same way when I went there first in 2000. Ichiro was still around, but it wasn't enough to put a lot of people in the stands. We sat in right field and could have set up our own BBQ pit with the room around us. Seeing the Tigers play there though makes it 100 times better. Added atmosphere aside, it's a beautiful stadium - bigger seats than Koshien, great surrounding views, occasional fireworks, and the best hot dogs amongst Japanese stadiums (which might not be saying much, but sometimes you need a taste of home).
The only drawback is entering the place and having to see oversized pictures of the dynamic washed-up duo, Kiyohara and Nori. If these are the faces of the franchise, you can see why they're in so much trouble.
In any case, Skymark is a great place for baseball when it's full. Hopefully it will still be used in the future.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: sangubashi | Posted: Sep 25, 2006 2:52 AM
| TYS Fan
]
Okay, everyone seems to agree that Koshien is the best, and Jingu is a close second. I've never been to anywhere except for Jingu, and I've been there 15 times this year. But I will trek out for a Yokohama game next week.
Take the fans out of the stadium (atmosphere), and which is the best? Or, I say give the top 3 just as a stadium, since I believe that most people say Koshien because of the atmosphere created by the fans. Since I have been to a Hanshin game at Jingu, and it's the only time the Swallows fans show up, except sometimes against the Giants on the weekends, too. But I just want peoples' opinion about which is really the best stadium, not the best fans.
Take the fans out of the stadium (atmosphere), and which is the best? Or, I say give the top 3 just as a stadium, since I believe that most people say Koshien because of the atmosphere created by the fans. Since I have been to a Hanshin game at Jingu, and it's the only time the Swallows fans show up, except sometimes against the Giants on the weekends, too. But I just want peoples' opinion about which is really the best stadium, not the best fans.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Deanna | Posted: Sep 25, 2006 1:12 PM
| NIP Fan
]
Despite that I'm sure people will think I'm nuts, I'm going to admit that Koshien was actually one of my least favorite stadiums in Japan. I should really finish up this post/rant I've got about them, where I rank them all in various categories (convenience, comfort, view, food, fences, crowd, team, stuff like that). Maybe I'll work on that tonight.
Jingu wasn't anything special to me either. The Engrish announcer really killed the atmosphere for me.
I think I was expecting a lot more from the hype on both of them. Or I'm too tall. Koshien killed my legs.
Jingu wasn't anything special to me either. The Engrish announcer really killed the atmosphere for me.
I think I was expecting a lot more from the hype on both of them. Or I'm too tall. Koshien killed my legs.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 25, 2006 10:03 PM
]
Take the fans out of the stadium, and I might have to go with Skymark. Again, it's got a great location (a bit far out of Kobe, but beautiful surroundings), a beautiful field, and the best selection of food. I have only been to about half of the stadiums, but I would rate Skymark the best stadium aesthetically. Too bad we will literally be taking the fans out of it in the future, as it'll pretty much be unused from next year. A darn shame.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: Vir4030 | Posted: Sep 27, 2006 3:08 AM
| HT Fan
]
I have to say Koshien, being such a rabid Tigers fan and all. Honestly, I'd rather be there than at Wrigley Field, and this coming from a 20-game-a-year die-hard Cubs fan. It's the fans and the atmosphere that does it. The only food I ever eat is the yakitori, which is awesome.
I don't remember how many games I've been to at Koshien. 2/2002, 3/2005, 4/2006 + 3/this weekend, so I guess that's 9 going on 12. It would be 11 going on 14 if there hadn't been two Giants games rained out in July (grumble, grumble).
I've been to Jingu twice in 2001 - that was the first stadium in Japan that I went to. I guess I don't really see the draw to it. I was already being groomed to be a Tigers fan, and the stadium seemed pretty small. I wasn't too impressed.
I've been to the Seibu Invoice Dome three times last year (2005). I liked the structure of the dome there, how it isn't connected to the seats below, but kind-of suspended umbrella-like over the field. I thought that was pretty cool. I wish I could have sat out in the grass, though. We had tickets behind the third base line to all three games.
I've seen three games this year in the Osaka Dome. The upper deck there is horrible. I honestly feel like I'm going to fall off. It reminds me of the upper deck at Comiskey Park because it's so steep. On top of that, there's no room to walk in front of each row of seats, so it seems so dangerous. The lower-deck wasn't bad, though.
I've been to the Tokyo Dome twice in 2002. It's not a bad ballpark, I suppose, no matter how I feel about the team that plays there. ^_^
Ummm, is that it? I suppose so. Next year, I'm planning several trips, and I'm sure they won't all be Tigers home games, so I'll find some more stadiums to visit. If I could get to Hiroshima and Nagoya, I'd consider it a successful year.
I don't remember how many games I've been to at Koshien. 2/2002, 3/2005, 4/2006 + 3/this weekend, so I guess that's 9 going on 12. It would be 11 going on 14 if there hadn't been two Giants games rained out in July (grumble, grumble).
I've been to Jingu twice in 2001 - that was the first stadium in Japan that I went to. I guess I don't really see the draw to it. I was already being groomed to be a Tigers fan, and the stadium seemed pretty small. I wasn't too impressed.
I've been to the Seibu Invoice Dome three times last year (2005). I liked the structure of the dome there, how it isn't connected to the seats below, but kind-of suspended umbrella-like over the field. I thought that was pretty cool. I wish I could have sat out in the grass, though. We had tickets behind the third base line to all three games.
I've seen three games this year in the Osaka Dome. The upper deck there is horrible. I honestly feel like I'm going to fall off. It reminds me of the upper deck at Comiskey Park because it's so steep. On top of that, there's no room to walk in front of each row of seats, so it seems so dangerous. The lower-deck wasn't bad, though.
I've been to the Tokyo Dome twice in 2002. It's not a bad ballpark, I suppose, no matter how I feel about the team that plays there. ^_^
Ummm, is that it? I suppose so. Next year, I'm planning several trips, and I'm sure they won't all be Tigers home games, so I'll find some more stadiums to visit. If I could get to Hiroshima and Nagoya, I'd consider it a successful year.
Re: Favorite Japanese Stadium?
[ Author: sangubashi | Posted: Oct 1, 2006 2:37 PM
| TYS Fan
]
Well, yesterday I went to Yokohama and I was impressed since it was my first time in a stadium other than Jingu. I would rate my experience as an A. It's very easy to get to, and the seating is very good. I liked the position of the seating better at Yokohama. You can sit right on the wall and talk to the players or anything like that which was cool. The seats were a little more uncomfortable, but overall a very good experience (even though the Swallows lost).
One downer was two big foreigners in the parking lot yelling about how good the BayStars, were even though they are in last place.
One downer was two big foreigners in the parking lot yelling about how good the BayStars, were even though they are in last place.
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