Originally Posted by
codex57
When do the next year's tickets go on sale? Will be in Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo for most of the trip. For just a casual baseball fan, would going to see the Giants be a better overall experience than a team in the Kansai region?
Preliminarily, I'm thinking it will be because 1) we have a day or two more in Tokyo, 2) we have SF Giants gear and it may be cool to supplement it with Tokyo Giants stuff, and 3) the Hall of Fame museum is there. Still, looking more for the atmosphere overall.
Originally Posted by
jib71
A Hanshin Tigers game in Osaka is one of the best / quintessential Japanese baseball experiences, because of the passion of the supporters. But it sounds like you'll be just as happy at Giants game - It's still quite different from the atmosphere in the US.
During a recent trip to Osaka I went to a Tigers game at Koshien (as a bonus vs the Giants). It was a great experience despite a light rain. I asked my hotel about tickets and they sent someone to a convenience store to buy them for me at a 15% surcharge (the ticket price was 2700 yen). Make sure you sit on the side of the field corresponding to the team you're rooting for. Don't sit on the 1B side at Koshien wearing Giants gear (SF or otherwise).
There is a plaque commemorating Babe Ruth playing at Koshien which makes for a nice photo op.