| BASEBALL YAKYU |
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Baseball (Yakyu in Japanese) is one of the
most popular sports in Japan. Nomo, Ichiro,
Fukudome, Daisuke, Sasaki, Kuroda, Matsui,
Shinjo and more played national professional
baseball in Japan. 2nd popular is football
(soccer) which has relatively young history,
but baseball was introduced from the United
States during the early Meiji period.
There are two professional baseball leagues
(the Central League and the Pacific League)
in Japan, each consisting of six teams therefore
altogether 12 teams. It is held from spring
to autumn (until early November), this year
2012 will starts penant race on March 30th.
Several Japanese players
are playing highly
successful careers in the
American Major
Leagues, and their games
are often broadcasted
on television with special
highlights of
the Japanese players such
as Ichiro, Matsui,
Fukudome, Daisuke, Aoki,
(oh no, Igawa is
no good at all) and more.
In Tokyo region, you may enjoy watching games
at Tokyo Dome, Jingu (easiest access from
Tawaramachi and Asakusa as shown below),
Makuhari in Chiba, Seibu in Saitama and Yokohama
in Kanagawa. |
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| Two easiest access ball parks from Asakusa
and Tawaramachi |
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| JINGU BASEBALL STADIUM |
| This ball park is managed by Meiji Shrine,
yes, one of Japanese gods has baseball business!
and that's why the stadium is admired as
sacred of baseball by players. This is the
home of Yakult Swallows (lactic acid bacteria
beverage company, friend of Danon). Beer
with baseball winds in summer evening is
popular among suit-and-tie-business-people.
Sensouji Temple in Asakusa, Shopping in Ginza,
then baseball (Gaienmae) are all along Tokyo
Metro Ginza Line (Orange Line). |
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Access from Asakusa
Please take Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Gaienmae
Station from Tawaramachi Station, takes about
25 min, costs 190yen one way per adult. |
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| Ticket is avaialble on spot at gate #9 of
the stadium, or purchase on your way at convenience
stores such as Lawson, FamilyMart, Circle
K Sunks or 7 Eleven, or on-line reservation
at Swallows Ticket and Ticket Pia. |
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| TOKYO DOME BASEBALL STADIUM |
| Tokyo Dome is the home stadium for the
Yomiuri Giants. It is also one of the leading
stadiums in the world, having hosted Japanese-American
baseball games, and the first MLB opening
match held outside America (Mets vs Cubs)
in 2000. |
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Access from Asakusa
Please take Toei Oedo Line to Kasuga Station
from Kuramae Station, takes about 7 min,
costs 170yen one way per adult. |
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| Ticket is available on spot at gate #22 of
the stadium, or purchase on your way at convenience
stores such as Lawson, FamilyMart, Circle
K Sunks or 7 Eleven, or on-line reservation
at Ticket Giants and Ticket Pia . |
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| Professional Baseball Teams in Japan |
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