Complete guide to 2024 Japan baseball: Game schedule, teams, how to enjoy, and more!

• Table of Contents
• Baseball in Japan
• 2024 Japan professional baseball (NPB) schedule
• The teams and 2023 results of Japan professional baseball
• 3 Must-experiences at the Japanese baseball stadium!
• Advanced: Learn more about Japanese baseball. History, categories, etc
• Go to a baseball game, for your unique and unforgettable Japan trip!

Baseball in Japan

Baseball in Japan is one of the most popular sports. Recently, with his performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he seems to be gaining popularity not only in Japan but also from overseas.

In this article, we will provide information on how to enjoy baseball, especially professional baseball (NPB, Nippon Professional Baseball), which is a part of Japanese culture, while traveling in Japan.

2024 Japan professional baseball (NPB) schedule

Here is a summary of the annual schedule for Japanese professional baseball.

The preseason games begin in late February, and the regular season begins in late March, with heated competition continuing until October. If it fits your travel schedule, having a unique experience at a baseball stadium can be a great experience.

Click here for a more detailed match schedule:

Check the 2024 professional baseball schedule

The teams and 2023 results of Japan professional baseball

There are a total of 12 teams in Japanese professional baseball, competing for the championship in two leagues: the Central League and the Pacific League.

Here are the final results of the 2023 regular season and a list of the teams.

2023 regular season results

In 2023 season, two teams based in the Osaka area, the Hanshin Tigers and the Orix Buffaloes , dominated each league and won the league championship.

2023 Playoffs/Postseason Results

The 2023 postseason eventually became "the Osaka Derby", where two teams from Osaka advanced to the Japan Series, and it had become one of the most exciting series in recent years. As a result of a fierce battle, which went to the final game #7 with 3-3 tie situation, the Hanshin Tigers were crowned number one in Japan for the first time in 38 years.

People are already looking forward to the 2024 season.

Find game tickets for 2024 season

3 Must-experiences at the Japanese baseball stadium!

At a baseball stadium, you can of course watch exciting matches. However, there are other aspects of Japanese baseball that you can enjoy.

We would like to introduce the highlights recommended by the guests of "Japan Sports Ticket" who actually watched the games at the stadium.

Fans' chanting

In Japan's baseball games, fans enjoy the game by singing cheering songs almost non-stop during the game, and encouraging the team with megaphones and applause. Many guests have mentioned it as a major difference from MLB. Because of the chanting, even people who aren't particularly interested in baseball said, "I couldn't get bored at all watching the chanting.''

There are many types of songs, such as songs of the team, of individual players, of scoring situation, of behind situation, and of winning situation. Many guests were surprised and said, "Wow, so organized!''

The stadium also has a cheering area for the visitor team, and the visitor team's fans sing songs when the visitor team at the offence situation. This is also one of the things that amazes the guests, as it is "Impossible in MLB'' and "No booing, so generous".

You can have a look at YouTube etc before the game, and you may enjoy it even more.

Stadium gourmet

Japanese sports games have many distinctive meals, both inside and outside the stadium. You can enjoy a variety of foods, including regional specialties, menus named after home team players, and stadium-only menus. Many of our guests go to the stadium at least an hour before the game to find their own favorite menu. It's also fun to spend time like that.

Beer vendors

Also, at baseball stadiums, staff called vendors will come close to your seats with beer and other drinks on their backs.

Each stadium has various drinks, not only various beers, but also sake, highball, ice cream, and even green tea in some stadiums.

Advanced: Learn more about Japanese baseball. History, categories, etc

History of Japanese baseball

Baseball was first introduced to Japan in 1872 by an American teacher. From then, it first spread among universities, and there are records of matches between Japanese universities around 1900.

Then, in 1915, the first national high school baseball championship was held.

The Japanese professional baseball league was established in 1936, that originally had seven teams. It has been 160 years since baseball was first introduced to Japan, and more than 80 years since professional baseball began.

Categories of baseball, with professional baseball (NPB) at the top

The highest level of baseball in Japan is professional baseball, NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), but high school baseball is also attracting attention. The high school national tournament is held at Koshien Stadium (home stadium of the Hanshin Tigers) in the spring and summer, and attracts a lot of attention.

Besides, university baseball and independent leagues (amateur leagues) have become more active, and as many professional baseball players comes out every year, these leagues are attracting even more attention.

Go to a baseball game, for your unique and unforgettable Japan trip!

Tourism in Japan is not only about traditional culture, architecture, and food. The number of tourists who plan to watch sports is also increasing. The most major destination for the tourists is baseball. Why don't you squeeze in a game at the stadium to your itinerary when you travel to Japan?

Find game tickets for 2024 season