Baseball in Japan
There are several theories about the origins of baseball. It is believed that a sport resembling baseball originated in medieval Europe. However, it was the United States that developed baseball and introduced it to the rest of the world. The sport was brought to Japan in 1871, where it quickly gained popularity. This may have been due, in part, to the appealing one-on-one confrontations between the pitcher and the batter, despite baseball being a team sport. In Japan, where sports like kendo and judo, which focus on individual duels, were already popular, baseball was likely seen as familiar and accessible. As the sport’s popularity grew, Japanese teams began to organize games against American teams.
Even today, though many other sports have been introduced to Japan, baseball remains extremely popular. Are you curious about just how enthusiastic we are? Let me show you.
I think there are three great ways to experience the excitement of baseball in Japan. First, you could visit a high school and check out the club activities; school teams are very passionate about their sport. Second, you could watch baseball tournaments or professional league games to see the sport at its highest levels of competition. Lastly, if you’re short on time, I recommend going to a batting cage. There, anyone can enjoy the thrill of baseball, get in some solid practice, and improve their playing skills.
Batting cage centers are an important part of Japan’s baseball culture. You can try them anytime and almost anywhere, as they can be found in nearly every prefecture. It typically costs around 200-300 yen for 20 balls. Inside, you’ll find pitching machines that offer a variety of options, from fast balls to slow balls, and even curveballs. Some of the latest machines display images of professional pitchers, giving you the feeling of being in a real baseball game. It’s a powerful experience! Many kids practice hard here, and who knows? The next Ichiro might be just around the corner.
At some batting cage centers, you can even win prizes if you hit a home run. It adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the experience, making it even more fun for players of all levels!
Give it a try!
Warning:
If you’re a beginner, do NOT attempt to hit the hard type of balls. You could risk injuring your arm! Start with the softer or slower options to get used to the swings.
