Baseball in Japan: Beer, Chants, and a Ballpark Buzz

I feel like it is finally time to get into some themed posts, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than to talk about something I love… Baseball.

I had always heard that baseball in Japan was a completely different experience than baseball in the United States, and after going to a couple games in Japan, I wholeheartedly agree. Don’t get me wrong, baseball in the U.S. — especially if you have a guy like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani — can be extremely exciting. A home run can turn a relatively quiet stadium into a boom of cheers. It’s been said that there is no game as romantic as baseball. That said, like most sports in the U.S., it’s become increasingly difficult for fans to access. A single game day can feel like it requires a small loan. I’ll never understand how stadiums get away with charging up to $20 for a tall-boy or High Noon. Add in the fact that you need a half-dozen streaming subscriptions just to watch your team on TV, and you start wishing for the good ol' cable days.

But enough about that — let’s talk about baseball in Japan!

There are only 12 teams in Japan, and many are relatively close to Tokyo, so picking a favorite can really come down to which team’s name or jersey you like best. My team of choice became the Yokohama Baystars. They’re about an hour from where I live, and honestly, their royal blue and white jerseys sealed the deal.

The first game I went to was a total impulse decision. I was lying in bed around 11 p.m., checked the weather and saw there was a game the next day. The forecast was perfect, tickets were around $20 USD, and that was all the convincing I needed. Off to Yokohama I went. I got there early to check out the team store and gear up. While most things in Japan are cheaper than in America, the team merch is not. After buying a hat and jersey, I had already spent more than the ticket itself. But the food and drinks? Surprisingly reasonable. You can get a full meal for around $7, and drinks hover around $5-6.

The atmosphere? Electric. Every team has a cheer section made up of hardcore fans who lead chants and cheers for the entire game. There are almost no quiet moments. It genuinely feels like every possible situation during the game has its own dedicated chant. I’m still working on memorizing them, but I’ll get there.

Now, the best part of Japanese baseball: the Beer Angels. What is a Beer Angel, you ask? Exactly what it sounds like. Women in colorful uniforms with mini-kegs strapped to their backs, darting up and down the aisles pouring fresh beer. They serve each customer with a smile, a bow, and often a cute catchphrase. It’s a blend of hospitality, efficiency, and flair that you really only find in Japan. Some fans are so loyal they only buy drinks from their favorite Beer Angel. There are tons of drink options, and food vendors roam the stadium too, so you’ll never go hungry or thirsty.

One thing that really stood out to me: the respect. Win or lose, fans stay until the very end. Often even past the end, to watch the players of the game do a lap and thank the crowd. It’s just a different vibe. If you enjoy sports even a little bit, you owe it to yourself to experience a Japanese baseball game. It’s almost impossible to have a bad time.

Now, this post wouldn’t feel complete without a little history lesson on how baseball took root in Japan and became the powerhouse it is today.

Baseball was first introduced to Japan in the late 1800s by Americans. It didn’t take long for Japanese schools and universities to form teams. Many saw baseball as a symbol of modernity and discipline — values that aligned well with the Meiji era.

In the early 1900s, major universities like Waseda and Keio began sending their teams to the U.S., and vice versa. The matches were friendly, but fiercely competitive. Initially, there was a clear skill gap, but Japanese teams quickly caught up. American teams also toured Japan, drawing large crowds and national media attention.

Then came the 1934 tour of Japan by an American MLB all-star team that included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx. They played exhibition games against top Japanese squads. Though the Americans won every match, the tour sparked a baseball boom. Babe Ruth was treated like a rockstar.

Inspired by that tour, Japan formed its first professional team — the Yomiuri Giants — later that same year. In 1936, Japan launched Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), its own pro league.

After World War II, baseball helped repair ties between the U.S. and Japan. American GIs played games in Japan, and Japanese teams returned to international play. The sport came back even stronger, and today Japan’s talent on the world stage is undeniable. From Little League to the World Baseball Classic, Japan shows up. It’s no surprise that the most popular player in the world today also happens to be Japanese.

So yeah… baseball in Japan? It hits different. And I’m all in.