A Complete Guide to Baseball in Japan
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 18 March 2024
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
Baseball in Japan
- How to Watch Japanese Baseball
- Japanese Baseball Team Names
- Famous NPB Players
- MLB vs NPB Rules
- Iconic NPB Stadiums
- Baseball Culture in Japan
- Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to today’s blog where we look at baseball in Japan. We’ll be diving into the vibrant world of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Japanese equivalent of the MLB. We’ll look at the rules that set it apart from MLB to the players who play in the league, offering an in-depth look at every aspect of Japanese baseball!
How to Watch Japanese Baseball
If you want to find out how to watch Japanese baseball, that’s what this first blog section will cover. To start watching, familiarize yourself with the NPB, which consists of the Central and Pacific Leagues. Games are broadcast on various platforms, including TV and online streaming services, with some offering English commentary.
Of course, there’s no better way to experience baseball in Japan than by attending an actual game in Japan! Stadiums like Tokyo Dome and Koshien are regarded as cultural landmarks in Japan, and each game is incredibly exciting, featuring enthusiastic cheering sections and traditional Japanese baseball songs. Tickets can be purchased online, at the stadium, or through third-party vendors. For popular teams like Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, advance booking is recommended due to high demand, especially during national holidays like Golden Week.
Japanese Baseball Team Names
Whether you want to bet on Japanese baseball or simply learn Japanese baseball team names, if you don’t know who plays where – you’ll struggle to even begin getting a good grip on the game.
The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, divided into the Central and Pacific Leagues, features Japanese baseball team names that often reflect their corporate owners as well as the regions they represent. This is a unique aspect of Japanese baseball, different from many western sports leagues.
For instance, the Yomiuri Giants, based in Tokyo, are owned by the Yomiuri Group, a media conglomerate. Their name ‘Giants’ is a sign of their dominant stature in the league, much like the New York Giants in MLB. On the other hand, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, also in the Central League, gets its name partly from the Otagawa River, known for its carp, and the historical ‘Carp Castle’ of Hiroshima.
The Pacific League’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, owned by the telecommunications giant SoftBank, showcases corporate branding while retaining a traditional sports team feel with ‘Hawks’. The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, sponsored by Nippon Ham, a food manufacturer, are another example of this, with ‘Fighters’ showing their competitive spirit.
Let’s explore some of these teams in the table below:
| Team Name | Significance |
|---|---|
| Yomiuri Giants | Named after Yomiuri Group; ‘Giants’ for dominance |
| Hiroshima Toyo Carp | ‘Carp’ from local river and castle |
| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks | SoftBank ownership; ‘Hawks’ for fierceness |
| Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | Nippon Ham sponsorship; ‘Fighters’ for combativeness |
| Tokyo Yakult Swallows | Owned by Yakult; ‘Swallows’ symbolizing agility and grace |
Famous NPB Players
The history of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) is marked by numerous players who have not only dominated the league but also made significant impacts internationally. Ichiro Suzuki, a name known in both NPB and MLB, began his career with the Orix Blue Wave before moving to the Seattle Mariners, where he achieved a fantastic MLB career, including being a member of the 3,000-hit club.
Hideki Matsui, known as “Godzilla” for his batting power, transitioned from a star with the Yomiuri Giants to the New York Yankees, becoming an iconic figure in both leagues. His power-hitting helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series!
Another notable player is Sadaharu Oh, the Japanese home run king, who hit a record 868 home runs with the Yomiuri Giants, an all-time NPB record. He led his team to 11 Japan Series championships, becoming a legend in Japanese baseball. In fact, ask any Japanese baseball fan who their favorite player is, and there’s a good chance they’ll tell you it’s Sadaharu!
More recently, players like Masataka Yoshida and Kodai Senga have made the jump to MLB, signing with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, respectively. But perhaps most exciting is the move of Shotei Ohtani to the Dodgers, who gave him a 10-year, $700 million contract – the largest contract in sports history.
MLB vs NPB Rules
The rules and structure of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) share similarities with Major League Baseball (MLB), but there are also some major differences that give Japanese baseball its unique character.
One significant difference is in the use of the designated hitter (DH) rule. Since 1975, the Pacific League of the NPB has used the DH, while the Central League does not, except during interleague play and in the Japan Series when a Pacific League team is the home team. This contrasts with MLB, where the American League uses the DH and the National League traditionally does not, although recent years have seen changes.
The NPB season, running from late March to October, has fewer games than MLB. NPB teams play 143 regular season games, while MLB teams play 162. The NPB playoffs, known as the Climax Series, lead to the Japan Series, which is the country’s version of the MLB World Series.
Gameplay in NPB also differs. For instance, the NPB limits game lengths, allowing tie games in the regular season. The regular season games are capped at 12 innings, while playoff games have a 15-inning limit. In contrast, MLB games continue until there is a winner, with no inning limit.
The baseball itself is slightly smaller in NPB, and the strike zone and playing fields are also smaller. Some NPB team fields have dimensions that would not conform to MLB standards. These technical differences have caused problems when Japan-USA games have been proposed.
Iconic NPB Stadiums
The NPB has some iconic stadiums, many of which the Japanese see as cultural landmarks. Tokyo Dome, home of the Yomiuri Giants, is known as “The Big Egg” due to its distinctive shape. It’s an iconic structure in the heart of Japan’s capital, renowned for its electric atmosphere.
Another iconic ground is Koshien Stadium, the home ground of the Hanshin Tigers. This is a very historically significant venue; Koshien is the oldest baseball ground in Japan, known for its high school baseball tournaments that capture the nation’s heart. The stadium’s old-school, open-air design offers a nostalgic journey back in time, and it attracts fans from all over the country.
Fukuoka’s PayPay Dome, the home of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, is perhaps the most impressive stadium in terms of architecture. Its retractable roof and seaside location make for a stunning setting. The Hawks’ fan base is known for their passionate support, and the energy in the stadium during games is hard to find at other baseball stadiums – even those in the US!
Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido, home to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world, so it also gets a mention. This multi-purpose stadium has a movable grass field and a dome roof, offering a unique viewing experience.
Lastly, Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium in Hiroshima, home of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, beautifully integrates with its surroundings. The open design allows for a view of the city, and it’s a perfect example of how city planners can incorporate city-friendly stadiums into society.
Baseball Culture in Japan
Baseball in Japan was introduced over a century ago, and ever since, it’s become an important part of Japanese society, creating a unique baseball culture as a result.
Japanese baseball is characterized by a high level of discipline and a strong focus on fundamentals. Players often undergo rigorous training from a young age, learning not just the physical skills but also the mental and strategic aspects of the game. This approach produces players who are not only skilled but also very respectful of the game and their opponents – something that, itself, is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.
The fans are a very important part of this culture, too. They are known for their enthusiastic yet respectful support of their teams. Unlike in many Western sports venues, Japanese fans cheer intensely for their team without belittling the opponents. The cheering is organized, with specific songs for each player and coordinated flag-waving and chanting.
High school baseball is also incredibly popular in Japan, like in the US. The Koshien High School Baseball Tournament is one of the biggest national sporting events of the year and is watched by millions!
Plus, Japanese baseball has been influential outside of Japan, too. The success of Japanese players in MLB, like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, has brought global attention to NPB, and helped to catapult the game onto the international stage.
