Adam W.
Yelp
YES!
YES!!
YES!!!
This place makes you so excited and ready for the game! If you ever have the chance to go to a Hanshin Tigers game, do it! Even if you're not a sports fan, I really recommend this as it's unlike anything I can find in America.
Growing up, I went to my fair share of Mets and Yankees games, along with some Giants and Dodgers games here in Cali. I have a good idea for how the whole baseball game schtick goes. You have fans, you have players, you have bottled water that's about the cost of a car downpayment, and you watch the game while eating your hot dog with disgusting kraut or onions or whatever sweaty, white object the guy finds to shred on your dog. That's that. Your main excitement comes from watching the game, a 7th inning stretch, and maybe some prizes being shot out of an air cannon into the crowd. Fan participating is mostly cheers, jeers, and yelling "Let's go TEAM NAME" to the beat of stomps, claps and the occasional church organ.
And I'm not complaining. This is great! It's a lot of fun, and an experience I'll bring my children up with.
But this is Japan. And while we take player stats and fantasy theory seriously, they take the whole of the game seriously, and have fun doing it.
Walking through the gates, we were handed a jersey and a fan which featured the team's name and logo. Everyone inside was wearing the jersey, and there was a general feeling of, "I am part of this team". It was an awesome feeling to be an outsider who got to feel a bit more "inside" through this community appreciation for the team and the game.
The stadium was probably about the size of the Oakland A's Coliseum, and was packed with so many choices for food and merchandise. Of course, Dip'n Dots are everywhere, but there were some affordable plates of Japanese food, along with the usual baseball food you'll find everywhere, and a KFC with a statue of the Colonel.
When the game starts, the real fun begins. Both teams have their own designated songs, including themes for each individual player, which are played by a full band of people who came to the stands with trumpets and horns! It's amazing to hear, and I still have several of the players' theme songs stuck in my head!
The passion and enthusiasm at baseball games in Japan is unmatched, and the fans really are the heartbeat that drives the teams forward.
While I would be happy to check out games for other Japanese baseball teams when I go back, I will always have a place for the Hanshin Tigers, and always cheer for them!