Professional Baseball in Japan – Seeing the Tokyo Giants at the Tokyo Dome

Take me out to the ballgame
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some yakitori and edamame….

Stepping out of the cab at the base of the massive Tokyo Dome I immediately felt the same frantic pre-game energy I knew from my childhood. It was just like seeing the Rangers or Rockies, men walking excitedly to the gate decked out in the team apparel, rows of souvenir stands, etc. The closer I got the stadium however, the more I began to notice subtle differences.

Outside the dome hawkers were selling all manner of things that were certainly not peanuts or cracker jacks.

We reached the gate and upon presentation of our ticket we were treated to a gift. In Texas we have bat night, ice cream night, towel night… almost every night a different free promo. In Tokyo, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Giants, we visited on Hello Kitty charm night 😉

Ushers showed us to our seats and we set about looking for snacks and drinks. Where were the surly & sarcastic beer and peanut guys / girls? Here the beer girls were cute, prompt, and attentive. I have no idea how these tiny girls hike up and down the stairs every night with the mini keg strapped to their backs, but I’m sure it’s great exercise. They even had a special cup they’d poor the excess beer head into before pouring your beer… assuring you actually get a plastic cup of beer that’s more than half full! (what a concept).

Beer in hand it was time to watch the game.

The fans were crazy…a mashup of rabbid soccer fans with their sets of historic songs and high school cheerleaders. Thankfully we were sitting in the visiting team’s side where things were loud, but nowhere near the fervor of the home team fans.

Soon it was time for some food. Though the Giants Bento Box Set looked appealing, we chose instead to go for a mix of local and traditional (yakitori and you should know the other one).

The game was fantastic. The Giants went up by 2 only to be caught by the visiting team in the 8th. The Giants held the score tied in the bottom of the 9th and I was sure we were heading for extra innings. A tiny little man stepped into the box first up for the Giants…I can’t remember if it was the first or second pitch, but it sent it out far into the left field bleachers…ending the game with a walk off home run! I can’t imagine a better first game to see. The home fans were going crazy.

The visiting fans….well let’s just say the tension got to them and my neighbor had tolerated his last picture from the westerner seated next to him.

Even if you’re not a baseball fan, or sports fan in general, when in Tokyo do yourself a favor and go see the Yomiuri “Tokyo”  Giants. Tickets can be bought at the gate, but will sell out. Ask the concierge to arrange tickets for you at the hotel as soon as you arrive and you should be fine.

Paul

Bonus Pics!

Giants Bento Box