19-03-2025
Tokyo Series gives diehard American baseball fans the ideal gateway into Japan
With Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs returning home for MLB's Tokyo Series, they brought in tow with them more than just their fellow teammates.
They also brought legions of diehard fans, many of whom had never experienced Japan before and have been mesmerized by the food and cultural experiences on offer.
Fernando Brado lives in LA and goes to about 15-30 games a year at Dodger Stadium. He explained he was already coming to Japan for a personal trip, but when it was announced the Dodgers would be playing he planned the rest of his itinerary around it.
'I'm still looking forward to Shibuya Crossing and Mario Kart,' he said, but after visiting Osaka he declared his favorite foods so far were crab sushi and Kobe beef, with an honorable mention perhaps going to the wagyu pizza he had in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward.
Dodgers fan Fernando Brado (left) lives in LA and planned much of his itinerary in Japan around the Tokyo Series. |
Joshua Mellin
Similarly, Caroline Dobbe had never been to Japan before, but she came specifically for the Cubs. Although her favorite experience in Japan was visiting a shrine, it did not translate into good luck for her favorite player, Nico Hoerner, who sat out the opening game, or his replacement, veteran Jon Berti, who made a critical throwing error that allowed the Dodgers to score.
Still, she was hopeful for the rest of her trip, including the chance to see the country's famous cherry blossoms later in the month.
Along with her mom, Dobbe says she makes a habit of traveling to other cities to see the Cubs play. 'Last year was in Boston and New York, and now Tokyo is just another step.'
Also in the Cubs camp are Robert and Courtney Hutchinson, who are from Atlanta but spend summers in Chicago. After this first trip to Japan they declared 'Tokyo is our spring house now!' and said the trip has been a 'once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, getting to see the guys play at home, especially since we're big Shota fans.'
It was also Cubs fan Jack Rosen's first time in Japan. A season ticket holder, he came specifically for the games but also visited Kyoto, Osaka and Nara and had a 'wonderful' time at the latter's famed park full of deer.
Cubs fan Jack Rosen (right) and friends. Rosen ventured far beyond the capital during his stay in Japan, with a visit to Nara's famous deer park being a highlight of his trip. |
Joshua Mellin
He, along with some other season ticket holder friends, said they were most looking forward to what they hoped would be 'a Cubs win.' But comparing Tokyo Dome to Wrigley was a challenge.
'Wrigley is so old school and this is so modern. Just more modern, but the food is probably better here.'
Matt Fuller and his 6-year-old son Isaiah may have had one of the most serendipitous fan encounters of the series.
Matt, who visits Japan regularly for business, was at a favorite restaurant, Andy's Shin Hinomoto in the capital's Chiyoda Ward, along with Isaiah, a big fan of Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is known by his initials PCA.
After dinner, the restaurant manager called them and told them PCA was there and wanted to meet.
They rushed back and got to spend an extended amount of quality time with the Cubs budding star, who signed Isiah's prized jersey.
Asked who is faster, Isiah gave the speedy outfielder the benefit of the doubt and declared their speed was 'about the same.'
