Sports Events in Japan

Baseball in a very popular sport in Japan. The Japanese probably rank amongst the Americans and the Cubans as the best baseball players in the world. In fact a touring baseball team of high school players recently played a game against my high school here in Toronto and cleaned their clock. They won 10 to 0 and my old high school is highly regarded for the quality of its baseball team.
There are two professional leagues in Japan, the Central and Pacific, both being made up of six teams. To watch a game, you can buy tickets at the ballpark starting about 1000 yen. Though baseball is popular, the games are rarely sold out and you should be able to purchase tickets with a problem.
Baseball in Japan has some minor differences from the game as it is played in the Americas. The whole infield is dirt covered unlike the American infields. Also the outfield fences are not so far out. They are shorter by about 3m. The pitchers tend to be more finesse throwers as opposed to the overpowering style of American pitchers. The website posted below will give you more information about baseball in Japan.
This picture was taken by me at a high school baseball game I was at on Hokkaido.

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Karate is a martial art developed in the Okinawa, Kyushu, and is art of self-defense that use no weapons and relies instead on three main techniques; arm strike, thrusts and kicks.

A distinction is made between offensive and defensive tourniquets, which are modified according to the position of onefs opponent.

Today karate becomes popularity for self-perfection, for cultural reasons, for self-defense and as a sport.

The biggest passion in Japanese sport is baseball.

Most cities have a team and games are played from April to September.

I was told that games often sell out, but we were easily able to buy them on the day. Prices range from 1800 YEN to 5000 YEN.

Check out the schedule and roll up for a great day/night out. The game I saw was of a good standard. Beer inside is delivered by girls with backpacks to your seat priced 800 YEN

You can watch J-League in most cities from March to December.

The teams may have more than 1 stadium in the city so you must check which the game is being played at.

Tickets tend to start at 1500 YEN up to 5000 YEN.

History of the Tigers
The Hanshin Tigers baseball club is the second oldest pro baseball franchise in Japan, founded on December 10, 1935. The Tigers took part in the first professional baseball "season" in Japan the following year.
From 1936 to 1938, the Tigers were arguably the best team in Japanese pro baseball. However, from 1939 the Tokyo-based Yomiuri Giants began to dominate, beginning the bitter rivalry between the two teams which continues today.

The Tigers were extremely successful in the early years, winning championships in 1936-38, 1944 and 1947. The year 1985 is still fondly remembered by all Hanshin fans. Not only did the club win the Japan Series for the first (and so far only) time, but their first baseman Randy Bass won the Triple Crown award AND the Japan Series MVP award as well - in the process elevating himself to God-like status in the Kansai region. When the Hanshin Tigers won the Japan Series in 1985, the fans went delirious. Among other things, they hijacked a train in Tokyo, and at Dotonbori, one of the entertainment districts in Osaka, people were jumping into the polluted river.

Historic Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya is the oldest and most famous ballpark in Japan and the home of the Hanshin Tigers. It was built in 1924 and has been the scene of many great baseball feats over the years.

Tickets!
Ticket prices range from 1400 to 3500 yen (a little more when the Giants are in town), with kids' tickets starting from 500 yen. You can buy tickets at the ground or at one of the many general ticket outlets in Kansai. But if the Tigers are playing well, you'll have to book well ahead!

Equipment: The Hanshin Tigers Fight Song

The Wind of Mount Rokko
(The official English version, but not a direct translation.)

Dashing swiftly through the wind blowin' from Rokko
Like the big sun soaring in the clear blue sky
Mighty spirit of the youth shows the victor's grace
The name that shines in glory "Hanshin Tigers"
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!

Powerful hits and skillful pitch achieved a thousand times
Trained with every discipline here at Koshien
Crowned with constant victory glorious, matchless feat
Always proud, invincible "Hanshin Tigers"
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!

(Pic Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2007/sb20070912j1a.jpg)

Kyudo, literally meaning "way of the bow", is the Japanese art of archery that is a modern Japanese martial art.

Kyudo is practiced as an art and as a means of moral and spiritual development. Many archers practice kyudo as a sport, with marksmanship being paramount.
However, the goal most devotees of kyudo seek is seisha seichu, "correct shooting is correct hitting".
In kyudo the unique action of expansion that results in a natural release, is strived for. When the spirit and balance of the shooting is correct the result will be for the arrow to arrive in the target.
To give oneself completely to the shooting is the spiritual goal. In this respect, many kyudo practitioners believe that competition, examination, and any opportunity that places the archer in this uncompromising situation is important, while other practitioners will avoid competitions or examinations of any kind.

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Motorboat racing, called Kyotei in Japanese is one of Japanese gambling.

Kyotei is a race of six boats competing to win.
The racer’s uniform color and boat flag color are specified; Boat No.1 white, Boat No.2 black, Boat No.3 red, Boat No.4 blue, Boat No.5 yellow, Boat No.6 green.
Race proceeds from the start line, turning past the 1st and 2nd turn markers, and then determining the finish places after three laps.

Don't you try to win?

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Keirin, a track cycling event in which professional racing cyclists sprint for victory, is one of the legalized gambling in Japan.

Keirin began in 1948 in Kokura, Kitakyusyu Japan, and has become very popular there professional sport upon which the Japanese can be bet on the outcome of the race.

You can make money to buy betting ticket at the Keirin stadium.

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