Meiji Jingu Stadium now serves as the home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows professional baseball team, and also hosts college baseball matchups. If you have time to take in a game while in Tokyo, this is a great place to do it. Nearly every seat is close to the field and provides great views, and the Shinjuku skyline provides an atmospheric backdrop. Unlike in the US, a baseball game in Japan is a very colorful interactive occasion for fans, with organized chants, dancing, and cheerleaders.
Meiji Jingu Stadium is a must-visit for sports fans and families.
The baseball stadium is wheelchair accessible.
There are multiple food vendors in the stadium, as well as a roving staff serving beer.
You can reach the stadium via subway or train. If you're taking the subway, Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line is a 5-minute walk away, while Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station on the Toei Subway Oedo Line is a 12-minute walk. You can also take the train and get off at JR Shinanomachi or JR Sendagaya stations—it’s a 15-minute walk from either station.
To catch a baseball game, check the schedule online and book tickets at the gate or in advance. If you want to be sure of getting your tickets in advance, you can purchase them at most convenience stores, though if you don’t read Japanese, you might have to ask for help using the ticket vending machines.
The traditional way fans cheer for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows is to open their umbrellas and sing "Tokyo Ondo," a traditional festival song, when their team scores a run. So be sure to come prepared with an umbrella to wave along and cheer with the rest of the fans.
