Tokyo Dome

[KevinWI]

I'm watching Game 1 of the WBC, being played the Tokyo Dome and noticed there was no Ballparks thread on it.

Your thoughts on the Tokyo Dome? It has a little shopping center around it, al la the 'baseball village' discussed about the A's future Cisco Field and at the Cardinals' New Busch Stadium.

[redv]

I'd love to visit the Tokyo Dome someday. For whatever reason, I've always liked it! Here is a pic to get the thread going although it isn't mine (sorry that it is slightly large, but it is wallpaper quality!). Does anyone have any pictures from last years opening series with the A's vs. Red Sox? I'd love to have those!

[Astros]

I've never seen it in person, but here are some photos of a model I bought of the Tokyo Dome.

[Coach Bombay]

Looks like Metrodome/Tropicana Field to me.

Dome stadiums are just awful...

[Chevy114]

I feel like it's the oldest of the japnese domes is that right?

[Astros]

I feel like it's the oldest of the japnese domes is that right?

I do think you are right. I've never really been a fan of the Japanese Domes or Stadiums but there was the Fukuoka Dome built about 15-18 years ago that has a retractable roof unlike anything else I've seen for baseball. The stadium portion is circular and really doesn't have distinguishing seating tiers but the dome is kind of cool looking. I'm sure this is going to sound biased, but I do think the Astrodome as it was in the 1960s was the best domed stadium ever built.

[efin98]

Looks like Metrodome/Tropicana Field to me.

It's Tropicana's seating arrangement with the Metrodome's fabric air supported roof.

[CFmets09]

Why is every Japanese stadium a dome? Does anybody play outside?

[efin98]

Why is every Japanese stadium a dome? Does anybody play outside?

Half are domes, the other half are open air.

[Fudbutter]

The Japanese do seem to like their domes. It seems like half their ballparks are such. It gets really hot and muggy in the summer. I think that it might rain more there than here.

The Toyko Dome is an interestng experience. With the amusement park outside it's is like a baseball Disneyland. Tix are often hard to get but they do have standing room. Baseball seems to be a lot more serious business in the Big Egg. One thing that they do that might work here is that the beer vendors are pretty young girls in hot pants who come to your seat and serve beer on their knees.

Not all domes are truly domes. The Goodwill Dome, home of the Seibu Lions, is really just an outdoor stadium with a huge umbrella on top. When it gets hot, the ball really carries.

Fans act so differently not only from USA ballparks but from park to park in Japan. The best experince is Koshien Stadium, a very old pre-war outdoor stadium that is reminiscent of Wrigley Field, but with very active fans. I have heard it described as Wrigley on Crack. It fits.

Other than the friendly and gracious fans, who are happy that you graced their ballpark with your presence, the food is amazing, varied and inexpensive.

Go see some games there. You will be hooked for life, I guarantee it.

[bandaide300]

I've never seen it in person, but here are some photos of a model I bought of the Tokyo Dome.

Where did you buy a Tokyo Dome replica? How can a person get one, provided there are any to be sold

[NYBase]

Too much Tropicana for my taste

[Astros]

Where did you buy a Tokyo Dome replica? How can a person get one, provided there are any to be sold

I found it on Ebay back around 2000. I've never seen one since. It was a little kit in a box with Japanese marks on it. I applied the decals and painted portions of it. It is just about the size of one of the Danbury Mint replicas but this is plastic.

[Tullydew]

I found it on Ebay back around 2000. I've never seen one since. It was a little kit in a box with Japanese marks on it. I applied the decals and painted portions of it. It is just about the size of one of the Danbury Mint replicas but this is plastic.

Does danbury mint have it?

[Astros]

Does danbury mint have it?

Never seen it listed but check danburymintsports.com. The model I have has no connection to the Danbury Mint.

[redv]

I'd love to go to a game there. The field itself looks as if it is mantained much better than the domes here (read: turf replaced often). Sightlines look as if the stadium was primarly built for baseball unlike the Trop or the Baggydome.

It really looks to be a dome done right.

Anyone have anymore pictures?

[qbannik]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ballet_lausanne/2950511679/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2950511679_5e02d1c58f_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francesca911/2254143364/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2254143364_5ca51b99ac_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nekobus/2369090146/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2369090146_74ee63584a_b.jpg

[coasterbill]

Wow that Roller coaster next door looks insane.
http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p6258.jpg

http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p6260.jpg

http://www.rcdb.com/id1845.htm

[qbannik]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1306/881863414_05d3db8003_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbnewton/881863414/

Obstructed views

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2550704408_607a21812e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83973130@N00/2550704408/

[qbannik]

Tokyo's version of a hot dog an nachos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cecilia772/158356537/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cariberry/2589418986/

[bandaide300]

I found it on Ebay back around 2000. I've never seen one since. It was a little kit in a box with Japanese marks on it. I applied the decals and painted portions of it. It is just about the size of one of the Danbury Mint replicas but this is plastic.

What category did you find it under on eBay?

[Astros]

What category did you find it under on eBay?

I always search under "All Categories". I saw this Tokyo Dome pop up and thought it would be cool to have one.

[mrakbaseball]

I'd love to go to a game there. The field itself looks as if it is mantained much better than the domes here (read: turf replaced often). Sightlines look as if the stadium was primarly built for baseball unlike the Trop or the Baggydome.

It really looks to be a dome done right.

Anyone have anymore pictures?
I believe Tropicana Field (Suncoast Dome) was built primarily as a baseball facility.

[RayNY]

I'd love to visit the Tokyo Dome someday. For whatever reason, I've always liked it! Here is a pic to get the thread going although it isn't mine (sorry that it is slightly large, but it is wallpaper quality!). Does anyone have any pictures from last years opening series with the A's vs. Red Sox? I'd love to have those!

Personally I think it looks like crap... inside and outside. Very asian in its design. No significant character or personality, just function.

[curb my enthusiasm]

Yikes, talk about the seats having absolutely no leg room. It looks like the Tokyo Dome was built for people who are 5' 3" or less.

[jnakamura]

Personally I think it looks like crap... inside and outside. Very asian in its design. No significant character or personality, just function.

It has 10 times the character, beauty and personality of any of the function-only doughnuts built in America from 1961-71.

[natron20]

Fans act so differently not only from USA ballparks but from park to park in Japan. The best experince is Koshien Stadium, a very old pre-war outdoor stadium that is reminiscent of Wrigley Field, but with very active fans. I have heard it described as Wrigley on Crack. It fits.

Other than the friendly and gracious fans, who are happy that you graced their ballpark with your presence, the food is amazing, varied and inexpensive.

Go see some games there. You will be hooked for life, I guarantee it.

Not to hijack but I did want to say that I've never been to Wrigley but I was blessed to attend a game at Koshien Stadium while I was an exchange student in Japan back in 1994. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Here are the pics for anyone who might be interested. The first 2 are not my pics and I'm not positive where the 3rd is from but it was in with my Japan pictures.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/799px-Hanshin_Koshien_Stadium_2007-.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/800px-Hanshin_Koshien_Stadium_2007-.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/tigers.jpg

Matsui as a 19 year old playing for Tokyo
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin1.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin3.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin4.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin5.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin6.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin8.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin9.jpg

[Rob R]

Yikes, talk about the seats having absolutely no leg room. It looks like the Tokyo Dome was built for people who are 5' 3" or less.
My God, I'd feel claustrophobic sitting in those seats.

[Rob R]

Not to hijack but I did want to say that I've never been to Wrigley but I was blessed to attend a game at Koshien Stadium while I was an exchange student in Japan back in 1994. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Here are the pics for anyone who might be interested. The first 2 are not my pics and I'm not positive where the 3rd is from but it was in with my Japan pictures.



Great photos, thanks. Two questions: 1) Which player is Matsui in that photo, the one running toward the left in the foreground? 2) Do you know why that gentleman is holding that huge American flag?

[natron20]

Great photos, thanks. Two questions: 1) Which player is Matsui in that photo, the one running toward the left in the foreground? 2) Do you know why that gentleman is holding that huge American flag?

Matsui is the guy by himself in the picture close to the OF wall.

As for the American Flag, well that is because a player by the name of Tom O'Malley was at the plate for Hanshin. If you notice in another picture there is a guy on the left hand side holding a trumpet. These guys were cheer leaders of sorts. Well whenever O'Malley came to the plate chants of USA could be heard and American flags would be waved at spots around the stadium.

[J.R.]

I have no use for Japanese cars, but I have nothing but respect for the culture and their baseball. I'd love to visit during their season at some point.

[Rob R]

Matsui is the guy by himself in the picture close to the OF wall.

As for the American Flag, well that is because a player by the name of Tom O'Malley was at the plate for Hanshin. If you notice in another picture there is a guy on the left hand side holding a trumpet. These guys were cheer leaders of sorts. Well whenever O'Malley came to the plate chants of USA could be heard and American flags would be waved at spots around the stadium.
Thank you natron :)

[Fudbutter]

Great pix Natron!

Is the other ballaprk the old stadium in Hiroshima or Jingu in Toyko? I think they both had dirt infields


For those of you wondering about the balloons at Koshien, that's how they do the 7th inning stretch. Everyone buys them before the game or from a foot vendor and when the stretch comes, they release them in unison, quite a sight

[natron20]

Great pix Natron!

Is the other ballaprk the old stadium in Hiroshima or Jingu in Toyko? I think they both had dirt infields


For those of you wondering about the balloons at Koshien, that's how they do the 7th inning stretch. Everyone buys them before the game or from a foot vendor and when the stretch comes, they release them in unison, quite a sight


Thank you sir. I'm glad the pictures have held up as well as they have considering they are over 15 years old and taken with a pretty crappy camera.

As for the other stadium, are you referring to one that I have a picture of? If so all of those are of Koshien. I do not recall what the other old stadiums in Japan were but it seems like I do remember the Hiroshima Carp playing in an older stadium.

And yes the 7th inning stretch is unlike anything one would see on this side of the Pacific. As we were walking in I noticed all the balloons for sale but I could not speak or read Japanese so I had no idea what they were for. I noticed around the middle of the 6th all these balloons starting to be blown up then I caught on rather fast.

Just for the record Hanshin won the game with a walk off HR in the bottom of the 10th. GREAT GAME! I'll never forget it.

[natron20]

Thank you natron :)

No problem kind sir.

[Chevy114]

Is Mr. Baseball a good dipiction of what baseball is like in japan?

[Fudbutter]

Is Mr. Baseball a good dipiction of what baseball is like in japan?

It actually seems to be pretty accurrate. It has a lot of situations that mirror Warren Cromartie's book.

The best I've seen on this is Whiting's book, "You Gotta Have Wa"


In recent years, they have been backing off some of the crazier stuff. Thankfully, they still hold onto the premise that the name on the front of the uniform is more important than the name on the back. I wish we had that.

[mets16]

It's amazing, it is the same sport in both countries, but a totally different culture, and game experience (I presume). Looks like fun! Nice pictures, by the way.