Complete guide to Osaka baseball games: match schedules, ticket purchases, how to enjoy the games, and more!

• Table of Contents
• What is Japanese professional baseball?
• Osaka's 2024 baseball schedule
• How to buy tickets to a baseball game
• Introduction to Osaka's professional baseball teams
• Things you need to know to enjoy Japanese baseball in Osaka
• How to enjoy Osaka after the game
• Enjoy baseball in the Osaka and Kyoto areas!

What is Japanese professional baseball?

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan. There are two professional baseball teams in the Osaka (Kyoto) area, each with their own unique charm. Its popularity with tourists from overseas is also increasing, and the number of tourists watching games at stadiums is also increasing. Check out Osaka's baseball teams and schedules, and be sure to watch a game at the stadium when you travel to Osaka or Kyoto.

Osaka's 2024 baseball schedule

In Osaka's professional baseball, the preseason begins in late February, and the regular season begins in earnest in late March, with heated battles continuing until October. One characteristic is that there are very few games at Koshien Stadium (the stadium of the Hanshin Tigers) from March to early April and in August. This is because the national high school baseball tournament is held at Koshien Stadium.

If it fits into your travel schedule, visiting the stadium could be a great way to have a unique experience.

How to buy tickets to a baseball game

Tickets for baseball games generally go on sale about 1 to 1.5 months before the game. However, tickets have become very popular recently, and popular games can sell out on the first day of sale, making it difficult for even Japanese people to attend the game. Some teams sell tickets for all games at once, and in these cases, tickets can be sold out for games several months in advance (for example, Hiroshima Carp and Hanshin Tigers).

Japan Sports Ticket will suggest matches that fit your schedule based on the match schedule and your desired area, and reserve seats in your desired seating area. For particularly popular matches, it can be difficult to secure seats where multiple people can sit together, so be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Find Osaka baseball schedules

Introduction to Osaka's professional baseball teams

1. Orix Buffaloes

The Orix Buffaloes are a powerful team that won the Pacific League three times in a row from 2021 to 2023. In particular, in 2022, they won the Japan Series and became the champions of Japan. The team's home stadium is Kyocera Dome Osaka, and it is easily accessible from the center of Osaka city.

Kyocera Dome Osaka

3-2-1 Chiyozaki, Nishi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 550-0023

It is the home stadium of the Japanese professional baseball team, the Orix Buffaloes.

In 2022, Yoshida Masanao (→ Boston RedSox) and in 2023, Yamamoto Yoshinobu (→ Los Angeles Dodgers) left for the MLB, but the Buffaloes are famous for the rapid growth of promising young players, and are expected to perform well in 2024. In particular, pitchers Shunpei Yamashita (uniform number 11), Daiya Miyagi (uniform number 13), and Soichiro Yamazaki (uniform number 21) are popular and are expected to challenge the MLB in the future.

2. Hanshin Tigers

The Hanshin Tigers are the defending champions, having won the Central League in 2023 and also defeated the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series to become Japan's top team. Their home stadium is Koshien Stadium, and they are famous for their enthusiastic fans.

Hanshin Koshien Stadium

1-82, Koshiencho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 663-8152

The pitchers are very strong, giving up few runs, and with the support of their strong hitters and the enthusiastic fans at Koshien, the team continues to win. In particular, the two agile center fielders, Mitsuji Chikamoto (uniform number 5) and Takumu Nakano (uniform number 51), are key players in the team's offense. The pitchers are very well-rounded, with several starters who can be expected to win 10 or more games (Shoki Murakami, Masashi Ito, Hiroto Saiki, Kotaro Otake, Akihiro Aoyagi, Yuki Nishi, etc.).

Things you need to know to enjoy Japanese baseball in Osaka

Foreign tourists who have watched a Japanese baseball game at a stadium always return home saying, "Japanese baseball is very unique," or "It was the highlight of my trip." Here we have compiled a list of things you should know to fully enjoy Japanese baseball in Osaka.

Necessary items and clothing

When watching a baseball game, do n't forget to bring your ticket . You can also bring food and drinks with you. Be careful, you can't bring drinks in cans or bottles. Of course, you can buy them at the stadium. Stadium food is also popular, so we recommend that you try it.

Clothing will vary greatly depending on the stadium. First, the Kyocera Dome, where the Orix Buffaloes play, is a roofed stadium where the temperature is always controlled. It is relatively cool even in summer, so it's a good idea to not only wear light clothing, but also bring something to wear over your clothes.

On the other hand, Koshien Stadium, home to the Hanshin Tigers, is an open-air stadium, so the environment can change dramatically depending on the weather outside. It can be chilly in early spring and autumn, but can be very hot in midsummer. You may also get wet on rainy days, so it's a good idea to bring a towel and a raincoat.

The unique culture and enjoyment of Japanese professional baseball

One of the most distinctive features of Japanese professional baseball is the way fans cheer for their teams. Fans cheer loudly and with megaphones from before the game starts until after it ends, enjoying the atmosphere of the game.

To do this, one way to enjoy the game is to buy some goods before the game and bring them with you. When cheering for the Orix Buffaloes, rectangular towels with various designs are used. Why not bring a towel with a design you like and join in the cheering by imitating the people around you? On the other hand, when cheering for the Hanshin Tigers, many noisemakers are used. Bring a set of two megaphones and cheer on the team with loud noises.

How to enjoy Osaka after the game

Once you're done watching the match, be sure to enjoy the city of Osaka. Here we'll introduce some of the most popular tourist spots.

Dotonbori

Dotonbori is a river that runs through the busy Namba area. It is famous for enthusiastic fans jumping into the river when the Hanshin Tigers win the championship (but please refrain from actually jumping in as the water quality is poor).

Dotonbori

542-0071 1-chome Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture

Dotonbori is a tourist spot known for its Glico sign. It is crowded with many people on holidays.

New World

Shinsekai is a historic area of Osaka, and a unique tourist spot with a Showa-era atmosphere. You can enjoy the view from Tsutenkaku, which stands about 100 meters above ground, as well as local gourmet food such as kushikatsu and takoyaki. There are also shopping streets lined with retro shops and game centers, and you can enjoy a variety of unique experiences that can only be found in Japan.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous castles, built in the 16th century. The area surrounding the castle, which is surrounded by multiple moats to protect the shogun, is known as the beautiful Osaka Castle Park.

Osaka Castle

540-0002 1-1 Osaka Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Osaka Castle is a historical castle located in Osaka city. It was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period and later rebuilt by...

Enjoy baseball in the Osaka and Kyoto areas!

The appeal of Japanese tourism is not just its traditional culture, architecture and food. Osaka is also known as a region with a particularly high passion for baseball. Why not include watching a Japanese baseball game as part of your schedule?

Buy tickets for baseball in Osaka 2024