Forget the tour guide's script: this is simply going to a baseball game with a local who loves it.
Baseball in Japan is different. The crowd doesn't sit in silence, but sings, chants, and drums throughout the nine innings, with each team having its own songs and rhythm. Families, students, office workers fresh out of work: everyone's there, and the energy never wanes.
You'll meet your live guide outside the stadium, go in together, and grab a bite to eat before the first pitch: imagine yakitori, fried chicken, and an ice-cold beer served by the famous “beer girls” who work in the stands. Once you're in your seats, your tour guide will explain what's happening so that you understand everything, whether you're a big fan or have never seen a single game.
No rigid sightseeing, no rushing. Just good food, a noisy crowd, and an authentic local night out.
The stadium you visit will depend on the match schedule for your date. Depending on when you join, the game could be at any of these three stadiums in the Tokyo area:
Tokyo Dome (Suidobashi): home of the Yomiuri Giants, Japan's most famous team. It's covered, so rain or the summer season heat are never a problem. More than 40,000 fans and an electrifying atmosphere in the heart of Tokyo.
Jingu Stadium (Aoyama): a classic open-air stadium from 1926 where Babe Ruth played in his day. Home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, famous for their fans, who raise green umbrellas and sing in unison every time the team scores. Just a few minutes from Shibuya and Harajuku.
Yokohama Stadium (Hamasta): 30 minutes from Tokyo, home of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and some of the loudest and most passionate fans in the league. You'll be right in the centre of the action. Combine it with Japan's largest Chinatown, which is nearby.
Admission ticket to the game is included: just show up ready for a great night.