Critiquing every JAPANESE BASEBALL (NPB) Stadium 

When talking about the Hiroshima stadium, you left out one cool detail: the external left field wall was made low so that passengers on bullet trains, which run right behind the stadium (the main station is a 10-minute walk from the stadium), can catch a glimpse of games in progress.

The Japanese baseball atmosphere is also incredible! The songs, chants, noise makers it’s incredible:

These ballparks are as beautiful as Ichiro's swing.

I remember being disappointed when I found out the Nippon-Ham Fighters were actually the Fighters owned by Nippon Ham, and not the Ham Fighters, with some kind of crazy angry pig mascot.

0:34 Slightly Different 1:19 Yokohama Stadium 1:57 Zozo Marine Stadium (Concrete Donut 🍩) 2:41 Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi 3:12 Mazda Stadium 4:12 MetLife Dome 4:46 Hotto Motto Park 5:21 Kyocera Dome 6:15 Meiji Jingu Stadium _Babe Ruth played here_ 6:52 Pay Pay Dome 7:24 Nagoya Dome 7:43 Tokyo Dome! 8:13 Hanshin Koshien Stadium 8:58 Sapporo Dome _Looks like a concept car_

"I've been looking forward to this." - Count Dooku

Me: Can you do the Premier Leauge stadiums , it's a huge league FPV: Haha Japanese baseball stadiums goes subtitles

Some more facts: Kobe Stadium - This was the park where Ichiro played home games during his NPB careers. Built in 1988 was considered the first ever "MLB" style ballpark used in NPB, because of the double tiered stands and natural grass. Miyagi Stadium - Was a minor league level park prior to 2004. Rakuten formed a new franchise and joint the league in 2004 chose this stadium as home filed, then gradually expand the stadium to the big league scale. Marine Stadium - No regular smoking is allowed within the stadium premises. Only e-cigarettes is allowed in the smoking areas. Osaka Dome - The parking lot is actually inside the stadium rather than outside. It uses automated mechanical parking system to park the cars in multi-level storage. Hiroshima Stadium - There is a rail track behind the left field stand. So fans from infield stands can see the bullet trains pass by. Yokohama Stadium - Extra tiers were added behind each foul post to raise the overall capacity to 35000. MetLife Dome - Roof was added in 1998 and 1999 was the first year for the games to be played under the roof. Which was also was the first pro season of Dice-K. The transfer fee of Dice-K paid by Red Sox actually funded the building cost of extra luxury suits and toilet improvement in 2007. Tokyo Dome - As the dome is located in a very convenient place, many events were hosted there outside the baseball schedule. The dome is so busy that at least 340 days of a year is rented. Koshien Stadium - The external wall was ivy clad before renovation and scrapped for building works. The ivy was replanted after renovation completed and after 10 year still not fully covered the wall. Maybe few more years needed to restore to its former glory. Also the only home field in NPB still uses all dirt infield. Sapporo Dome - Fighters are leaving the stadium as they consider the City Council was asking extortion level of rent for new tendency contract. They now confirmed to build a 35000 capacity self-funded stadium with retractable roof, scheduled to open in 2023 season. Meiji Jingu Stadium - The redevelopment of the new baseball stadium will be on the land of the current rugby stadium close by. When the new baseball stadium is completed, the old baseball stadium will be demolished to build a new rugby stadium. Fukuoka Pay Pay Dome - Build in 1993 with the cost of JPY 76 billion, more expensive than Rogers Centre which cost CAD 570 million. Nagoya Dome - The only stadium in NPB I was unable to find anything interesting worth mentioning.

Great vid! But just wanted to add some corrections and additional info from a Japanese NPB fan. 1. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows will stay at the Meiji Jingu Stadium until 2026 (if goes according to plan). The whole renovation plan starts from deconstructing the Jingu Daini Stadium (or Jingu 2nd Stadium) next door to the Meiji Jingu stadium, then building a new rugby that replaces the Chichibunomiya Rugby stadium (which is a 2min walk from Meiji Jingu) where the 2nd Jingu stadium was. When the new rugby stadium is built and players move in, the now empty Chichibunomiya Rugby stadium will be deconstructed to build the new Meiji Jingu stadium where the Swallows are planned to move in by 2027. 2. The Sapporo Dome is a horrible playing field for baseball. As mentioned in the video, since it also switches into a soccer field , the baseball field is essential just artificial turf on concrete (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5ET-ED780dI.html video for the transformation), becoming the root causes for especially knee injuries. Moreover, players report the the outfield fence is too firm, with some resulting in fractures when trying to catch a ball. There's a few more regarding the size of the field that disadvantages the Fighters but I'm gonna stop here. The second point is that the not only is the field horrible but the the city of Sapporo is screwing the Fighters as well. Since the Sapporo Dome is owned by the city of Sapporo, the Fighters pay rent, which makes sense. However, their merch revenue is also taken by Sapporo and the costs to move their equipment and the switches between baseball to soccer and vice versa, is all payed by the Fighters. Moreover, staff expenses such as cleaners and security are also all payed by the fighters. Its speculated that the fighters pay about 2 billion JPY a year to Sapporo. The Fighters have been trying to negotiate with Sapporo city for years to change these conditions, but they've refused to change any, leaving them but to only retreat Sapporo dome. The fighters are building their own ball park in Kita Hiroshima (not Hiroshima prefecture btw, its a place in Hokkaido within a 40min drive from Sapporo :D). They plan to move in by 2023 and its actually a pretty sick ball park! I recommend taking a look ! Heres the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1NMW5VM2FhI.html&feature=emb_title (titled: HOKKAIDO BALLPARK)

Still asking. Where’s the manscaped ad?

I’m Japanese and absolutely loved this video. The highlights you picked for each stadiums were on point.

I hear every game played in the Tokyo Dome is a 7 star game

FivePoints is the best anime, I have spoken. I like Yokohama's the most

I've been to three of these Stadiums (Mazda, Hanshin, and the Tokyo Dome) and loved all three, although going into Koishien as a visiting fan (I'm a Carp fan if you're wondering) felt like how I'd imagine being a visiting fan at Fenway would feel (I don't know that feeling because I'm also a BoSox fan)

Great vid! One update, Yokohama Stadium expanded by adding two wings on the left and right field, adding 6,000 seats.

Saw a game at the Met Life Dome when I was stationed there (it’s only 15 minutes away from Yokota Air Base). Crowd was amazing, cheering a 2 run single like they won a playoff game! Very knowledgeable of MLB ( they loved my retro George Brett jersey). One of the highlights of my tour! Note: there was NO airflow, so it was very hot and muggy that day.

The Kyocera Dome is a pretty dope venue. It was my first real baseball dome, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Been to a game in Hiroshima a few times when I was stationed in japan. Absolutely electric atmosphere. Japanese baseball games are incredible for fans.

I did not expect that little Pokemon TCG fact in a baseball stadium critique video, and I really appreciated that one. Thank you FivePoints! Keep doing what you do man!

That homerun at 6:00 is like hitting a walk off grand slam in G7 down 3 with 2 out and 2 strikes. Clutch

Great video! I used to live in Japan actually, and I've been to what is now called the Pay Pay Dome in Fukuoka many times. I've also been to the stadium in Hiroshima once, and I've been to Hanshin Koshien Stadium once. It is indeed a beautiful ballpark.

At some point, you should do a critique of North Harbour Stadium, home of the Auckland Tuatara, New Zealand's only professional baseball club. What's so unique about North Harbour Stadium is that it was made for Rugby. The had to demolish most of the northern stands so they can make room for the baseball field.

This is one of your best videos you've put out. I would love to see a vid about stadiums in other leagues, like those in Mexico and South Korea.

Just do the Hungarian tier two soccer stadiums already!!!

Just an FYI. Yokohama finished renovations last season. There is additional seating along the uppet left field side. Also the Fighters will be moving from the Sapporo Dome into a new stadium I believe in 2022(?). So check out their awesome current home soon if you want to see an NPB game there.

Absolutely outstanding video!!! Great information and visuals.

These stadium videos on this channel are always on point! Thank you for these videos man, big fan of the channel and your bluntness. Keep it up sir. 🙂👍🏻👏🏻

I took an interest for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters last season my new phone randomly started giving me updates and scores for the Fighters, so I went with it

As a Japanese, thank you for making this video some points of clarification, the Jingu stadium will still be used for the next couple of years. They are going to build a new stadium right next to it sooner or later. The Jingu Second stadium closed last summer as it will be used for Olympic purposes. That stadium also works as a golf range when games aren't being played which is 90% of the whole year

I got to go to games at Koshien, Met-life and Kyocera while studying abroad and they're all super cool, food is crazy and the atmosphere is great.

This video was awesome man. I actually learned a lot from this video

Was wondering if there was a Japanese stadiums video on this channel given the presence of baseball and soccer/football, glad to have found it.

Last summer I visited japan and was able to see a game at Meiji jingu stadium. I loved the unique team chants sung by each teams fans.

**Some correctionsss and extra fun facts** Yokohama Stadium - Yokohama´s YCMA branch is near the stadium, sometimes in the TV broadcast you can see YMCA signage behind the outfield, also, if happens, Yokohama Stadium will host 2021 Olympic Baseball Zozo Marine Stadium - it hosted Red Bull Air Race once and also was home to 100k HR of NPB history ;Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi - Cashless started last year nor this year, also the stadium hosts a playground for kids (they can see the game from playground too), Hotels to spend the game weekend and even a FM Radio that broadcast Golden Eagles home games Mazda Stadium - Municipal Stadium was not a Dome, it was open stadium, also the stadium have a GYM on it that you can visit on non-game days and if you visit on game days you can watch the game clearly from that (there is TVs to watch the broadcast too), alsso another fun fact is that there is a COSTCO WHOLESALE behind the stadium, it happens to be on right mid-field and you can see the branch right behind stadium on TV Broadcasts, also in this same stadium, National´s Soto missed a fly ball giving up a inside-the-park HR to a NPB player, this happened around 12 months before he became a baseball legend on World Series MetLife Dome - The dome used to be open stadium before a reform that happened before the 2009 reform, it changed the stadium from a open one into a dome one, also Kimba the lion used to be the official home team (Seibu Lions) mascot until 2009 when a look-a-like mascot took its place Hotto Motto Park /Kyocera Dome: it is not the Hotto that hosts Hanshin games, but the Kyocera dome that hosts games because the Tigers need to give away the stadium for the high school tournaments Meiji Jingu Stadium : the stadium will host matches until 2023/2024, not this year, that is because a new stadium will be bulit on its place, the secondary stadium, will be demolished so it can be bulit a new Rugby stadium on its place, the old rugby stadium will be demolished so the new Baseball stadium that will substitute Jingu can take its place (yea confusing) Pay Pay Dome: Sadaharu Oh (the one that have the museum on stadium) actually is actual Hawks GM Nagoya Dome: The stadium that was replaced by the Nagoya Dome still exists and it is actual home for the Dragons farm/minor league team Tokyo Dome: kinda obivus but it was the first domed stadium in Japan, also it already hosted a NCAA Bowl Game between 1977 until 1993 , and still hosts the final of Pro Football, the X-Bowl, also it hostss the showdown between X-Bown winner and the college football winner, the Rice Bowl (Supported by US Embassy in Japan) Hanshin Koshien Stadium - the dirt on the stadium is considered sacred (no im not kidding) and the high schoolers, when they play there, have a chance to get a bit of this dirt and take it home as proof that they played there Sapporo Dome - is the only stadium that hosted Japan Series and THE WORLD CUP, THE RUGBY WORLD CUP,, THE OLYMPIC SOCCER AND EVEN A WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERSTAGE, also is planned to host the opening of 2030 Winter Olympic Games

Great video! I’m a fan of Hideki Matsui’s former team, the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants! I would love to see more NPB content on this channel!

I promptly looked up video of the Rod Allen chase, and was left in tears laughing. That's an all-timer.

Every time the Giants win a Japan Series it gets a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer.

Dammit, you did it again. I WANTED to skip this one, but you made it worthwhile and interesting right to the end.

Tokyo Dome is also host to New Japan Pro-Wrestling's annual January 4th wrestling event "Wrestle Kingdom"

ahhhh more 5 points stadium videos

five points Vids if your on this theme of International Stadiums you should do the CFL

This is so cool. Would you consider doing CFL stadiums in the future? If the 9 team situation doesn't make the video long enough they play some games in different stadiums (ex touchdown Atlantic is played in Moncton which doesn't have its own team) and there's been a preseason game in Fort Mac which has a beautiful but small stadium. So if you wanted to you could cover anywhere from 9-12 stadiums.

Here's a fun fact : did you know that The MetLife Dome is also known as The Concert for the Idols because LoveLive Sunshine perform there 4 times ?

Man this brings back memories. I was in Japan last year and attended a game at both Tokyo Dome and Meiji Jingu. Going to a NBL game is a MUST for any baseball fan. Think baseball with a Soccer/Futbol crowd. And really cute beer girls who have beer backpacks

6:46 it is actually used as golf training center

More trivia for Chiba Marine Stadium: The 2005 Japan series was whole beat down as mentiond in video, then it become a internet meme called 33-4. Lotte play against Hanshin for 4 games and Lotte score 33 points when Hansihin only score 4. The funny point is Hanshin fans who was on TV beleves they still gonna win the series even in game 3.

Some things (as a person who has attended at least one game in each stadium, and about 250 in Japan): Yokohama Stadium doesn't have a net over the back wall. You have to blast one at least 450 to get it over the back wall. They have also added 2 huge sections on each side and a new press box, as that is the baseball venue for the 2020 Olympics. Seibu Dome was originally outdoor, then they added the roof in 1998-99. It is torture in the summer. The tiny slits of outdoor air don't amount to anything when it’s 95 and humid and you’re surrounded by 30,000 people. It's like a greenhouse. The overhangs in Hiroshima stadium are for the designated cheering sections of each team. It's actually the only stadium dimensions not 100% symmetrical because of the high speed rail in left field, and they do have a net there. Also, the previous stadium wasn't a dome, it was located next to the atomic bomb small domed structure (kept as is since 1945). Sendai's stadium was originally like a small minor league park that they have slowly built up over 15 years the Eagles have played there, adding more stands and the ferris wheel. This is where Masahiro Tanaka played before coming to MLB. Most team's minor league team are close by or a suburb of where the team plays. I've actually seen minor Leaguers walking between the two stadiums while lining up to enter a game at Jingu. Also, everyone in Japan has an umbrella anyway because it's generally too crowded for everyone to have a car and it rains like crazy in June and July. It's originally done when the Swallows score a run to "send the pitcher to the showers." The Fukuoka dome (my home stadium) is retractable, and they used to open it all the time until they got the electric bill. Also, when open the sun shines in the batter's eyes, so they only open it for a game about 3 times a year (sponsored by someone) and those are at night. They crack it open after every victory, then close it once the firework smoke escapes. Koshien has ivy on the outside, this drawing more comparisons to Wrigley Field. The Tigers also have a curse associated with tossing a statue of Colonel Sanders in the river in 1985. Nagoya and Sapporo Dome are probably larger than most MLB stadiums, 328 down the line, 400 to center, and 388 to the gaps, and they both have about a 17 foot wall. Pronunciations: Lotte is "loat-tay," Makuhari Messe is "Mess-say," KinTetsu, Jingu is "jean-goo." Nagoya is "Nah-go-yah." Hey, at least you didn't say "Ham Fighters" which is about as fresh and original as calling the player "Poo-Holes."

Fun fact about Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium: You can see down the third base line from the street level behind left field. Joined a bunch of fans for an inning or two after I couldn’t get tickets because the game was sold out.

Nice video! Please do KBO Stadiums next!

6:40 That really is for golf. It's a driving range. I've hit there before. Was really cool. I've also seen a Swallow's game. Was really fun.

Can you rank the best Canadian Football League Stadiums?

Now, Yokohama Stadium's seating capacity is 34,046

For further notice, Jingu stadium is going to take down but will construct an another stadium right next to the old stadium. The Chichibunomiya football field will be take down and construct the new Jingu stadium. The original Jingu and 2nd baseball field will be reconstruct as the new Chichibunomiya football field.

Makuhari Messe (two syllables, “messeh”) is a convention center; Magic: The Gathering tournaments and other events are held there.

Meiji Jingu is where high schools from all over the country play in the Fall tournament. Hanshin Koshien is where the National High School Tournaments are held in the Spring (invitational) and Summer.

Koshien Stadium is one of the great ballparks. It’s like a combination of Wrigley (with ivy outside!), Fenway, and Old Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth also played there, with a plaque outside commemorating him.

Japanese commentary is lit. It sounds like minor things will make the announcer go Super Saiyan. Also just imagine if the MLB also made teams that went below .300 wins for the season merge.

Nice video. How about ranking Japanese baseball mascots next?

Two years late, but the Jake joke, ouch! Unfortunately very true. Nice video dude, peace

great videos ...you are the best. from Dominican Rep.

i love you for this

The Tokyo Dome, apart from hosting NPB games has also hosted some NFL preseason games, and is also home to NJPW's biggest event, Wrestle Kingdom.

I've been to 7 of these. Mazda stadium has floor futons in center field. You can just lay back and watch the game. And the overhanging stands are for the home and away cheering sections. Meiji launches those umbrellas into the stands during the game like we do with shirts and boy does that place's age show.

Hey a FivePoint you should critique every Mexican Baseball League (LMB) they have some really interesting and unique stadiums

That Video you showed in the Beginning was shown on my Instagram feed earlier thats kinda nuts

Stadium review is back😍

Fantastic to see a video about this! Question, by any chance do you have a source for the info about Meiji Jingu Stadium? I’d hoped to catch a game there next year when I visit 😩

Love the baseball videos☺

I live for the stadium videos

6:51 this stadium was featured in a Gamera movie, which is a giant monster like Godzilla but a turtle

Open-sided dome is brilliant. I bet that's an amazing place to catch a game.

Do liga mexicana del Pacifico (Mexican winter league) stadiums next please.

5:37 shell of koopa lol🤣

Really liking your shows.. I can imagine you get a lot of requests, can you do one on scottish or even British stadiums?

One time a saw the MetLife Dome from Tokorozawa in a japanese-brazilian youtuber's video, it was a nice game from the Seibu Lions.

He's gonna do Olympic Stadiums for his next video.....Summer first, then Winter

I used to go Hotto Motto Stadium all the time when I was a kid. Because I used to get free tickets from my elementary school every year. I really wanted to visit Hanshin Koshien stadium because it’s such a historical Stadium and also I’m a Hanshin Tigers fan! Love the Orix Buffalo as well.

That grand slam. Chills, literal chills

One TIP: The Yokohama Stadium is where the Olympic Baseball Game Finals are gonna be held and is really close from where I live ;)

It's Mazda Zoom - Zoom Stadium! Homage to the amazing "Zoom Zoom" commercials with that kid!

Nice video. BTW, Sapporo Dome was built for 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted by Japan / Korea thus the multi-use for soccer / baseball. The Stadiums built for 2002 World Cup are really cool.

A part of me always thought the Japanese played baseball only in domes. Thanks for the educational video.

My mom when she was a kid was a fan of the Hankyu Braves but she was little so she would follow along with her brother, She also used to dance with the mascot Bravie who was a duck, when they were sold to Orix in 1988-1989 that when she became a Hanshin tigers fan. The tigers are in the Japan Series now and my mom is very happy and excited.

If we are going to be doing more of these, do a video on Canadian Football League stadiums.

It's nice seeing him so positive for a video

Fun Facts! Tokyo Dome also hosts New Japan Pro Wrestling's flagship pay-per view event Wrestle Kingdom (Japan's Wrestlemania), along with a host of other non Baseball events. Shinjuku, Tokyo appears in Gran Turismo 3 in the Tokyo Road Circuit Coarse (idk if that track appears in any other GT game) as the giant caged ballpark can be seen in the background. calling Sadaharu Oh Babe Ruth does not do him justice, if him, Ruth, and Josh Gibson of the Negro Leagues were in the MLB, Oh would have the 2nd most HR's of all time with 868 home runs to Ruth's 714, only Gibson would've had more with over 900 (possibly more!).

There is a slight bit of asymmetry in Zoom Zoom Stadium. Right field is 100m (328ft), left and right center are 116m (381ft), center is 122m (400ft), but left field is 101m (331ft). The outfield wall is curved most of the way, but flattens out towards left.

0:10 and a camera and buzzers if you’re the Astros

Mazda stadium's full name is actually Mazda Zoom Zoom stadium which automatically makes it my fvaorite despite not being able to get a ticket when i was there

Most importantly, the tokyo dome has 1/3 taco bells in tokyo

He should do Cuban baseball stadiums. These stadiums vids feed my addiction to sports in quarantine 😂

Hanshin Koshien Stadium - As the anime Ace of Diamond calls it "The Holy Mecca of Japanese Baseball." The Japanese High School National Championship Tournament is hosted here EVERY YEAR (simply known as "The Koshien" in Japan). NCAA intensity is likely an understatement, as the overall format of Japanese High School baseball makes March Madness look tame in comparison. Each year twice a year, the champions of each of Japan's 47 prefectures, plus one runner up lottery winner participate in a single elimination tournament to determine the National High School Champion. In the fall High Schools from around Japan determine their individual prefectures champions with teams made up of only 1st and 2nd year students (10th and 11th grade)... in the spring they hold the first tournament of the year (when these students are now 11th and 12th graders). Then comes the summer tournament where new 1st year students are able to join these teams. The summer tournament by far is considered the most prestigious of the two as Japan's summer heat puts a significant obstacle in the way. If you are missing baseball like many are right now, consider watching the entire anime series of "Ace of Diamond" (also called Diamond no Ace), which is available on Anime Planet and Crunchyroll. This series is a brutal and truly gritty look at the difficulty of Japanese High School Baseball and the sacrifices students make to participate. This series really dives deep into the nuances of baseball. If I'd seen this series as a kid, I would have never of stopped playing.

You gotta do one with the Korean baseball league.

These ballparks are so awesome. Fun fact, there are two Videogame franchises based around the NPB. Pro Baseball Spirits, which is a Simulation game akin to MLB the Show. And Live Powerful Pro Baseball, a more arcade style game with super deformed cartoon versions of the players.

That MetLife stadium is so cool and unique. Freaking cool.

was supposed to score the Olympics at Yokohama, but alas...was hoping they'd have fans back for the NPB by that time and I'd still go over and get Nagoya and Hanshin and Hiroshima. Those are the parks I'm missing. I've seen games in Jingu 2 he mentioned and he said it looks like Top Golf because most of the time it is a golf driving range....multi story along first baseline and then the field tilts up and all the golf balls roll away and it's baseball time. Saw a college tournament there. Scored a game at the Sapporo Dome, and that goes away in a year or two as they get a new stadium. So many to see...Inching towards ballfield #1000 but this year slowed that up mightily

This Corona Virus is impacting overseas baseball in a positive way. With MLB blackout, our addiction turns elsewhere...Japan, Korea, Taiwan. These leagues are getting attention and we are discovering a very high level of play and professionalism. This is GREAT for our sport. Baseball - America's Past Time...The World's Greatest Sport

Sapporo Dome is famous as the stadium where Shohei Ohtani, Kensuke Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Yu Darvish played an active part in MLB. The new ballpark will be relocated to Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido in 2023. (This was because the city of Sapporo didn't want to renovate the Sapporo Dome.) www.hkdballpark.com/en/

Since it seems to be the only active sports league on TV in the US at the moment, will there be a video on Korean Baseball Organization stadia?

Are there any youtube channels that show japanese baseball compilations amd such. If so pls post links