Yokohama DeNA BayStars spring training (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
In Japan, pro-baseball players get called in on Feb. 1, a couple of weeks before MLB players begin their spring training. Many teams of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) come to the sub-tropical islands of Okinawa to warm-up. Fans and sports media also follow to scope out star players and get a prospect of the upcoming season.
Okinawa is definitely the place to be for baseball fans. Not only you can catch some of your favorite teams or players but also watch free games to experience Japan’s unique baseball culture.
Why not take advantage of this great time for quality ball games?
Yokohama DeNA BayStars spring training (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
Yokohama DeNA BayStars spring training (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
Catch a game
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
Date: Feb 1 – 25
Days off: Feb 5, 9, 13, 20
Location: Tapic Stadium Nago (26.592702, 127.966825)
*Practice games are scheduled on Feb 8, 11, 17, 20 (Nago), 15 (Kin), 19 (Chatan), 25 Urasoe. Intrasquad games are scheduled on Feb 7, 14. Preseason games will be on Feb 22 and 23 (Nago).
Web: https://www.fighters.co.jp/news/detail/202600811498.html
Hanshin Tigers
Date: Feb. 1 – 25
Location:
Ginoza Stadium near Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab (26.484359, 127.973148), Uruma-shi Gushikawa Yakyujo near Camp Courtney (26.359484, 127.865471)
Days off: Feb. 5, 10, 16, 20
*Practice games scheduled at Ginoza Stadium on Feb 8 (Nago), 14 (first team at Ginoza, second team at Gushikawa), 17 and 22 (Gushikawa).
Preseason games scheduled on Feb 21 (Chatan), 22 (Urasoe), 23 (Nago).
Web: https://hanshintigers.jp/news/topics/info_10641.html
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Date: Feb. 1 – 23
Days off: Feb. 4, 9, 13, 18
Location: Kincho Baseball Stadium near Camp Hansen (26.462314, 127.941645), Kumejima Yakyujo (26.349468, 126.734698)
*Practice games are scheduled Feb 14 (Ginoza), 15 (Kin), 17 (Koza). Preseason games are on Feb 21 (Kin),22 (Ginowan), and 23 (Naha).
Web: https://www.rakuteneagles.jp/lp/team/camp/spring/
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Date: Feb. 14 -25
Days off: Feb. 13, 19
Location: Koza Shinkin Stadium near Kadena Air Base and Camp Foster (26.332487, 127.790266)
*Practice games are scheduled on Feb 15 (Naha), 17 and 18 (Koza). Preseason games are scheduled on Feb 21 (Ginowan), 22 (Nago), 23 (Urasoe).
Web: https://www.carp.co.jp/calendar/calendar_202602.html
Chunichi Dragons
Date: Feb. 1 – 24
Days off: Feb. 4, 9, 13, 18
Location: Agre Stadium Chatan near Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base (26.311772, 127.758383), Oki Ham Heiwa no mori Kyujo (26.397483, 127.745705)
*Practice games are scheduled on Feb 11 (Ginowan), 12 (Chatan), 14 (Gushikawa), 15 (Chatan), 17 (Nago), 19 (Chatan), 20 (Nago). Preseason games will be held on Feb 21, 22, 23 (Chatan).
Web: https://dragons.jp/special/camp/
Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Date: Feb. 1 – Feb. 23
Days off: Feb. 5, 10, 16, 20
Location: Union Desukara Stadium Ginowan near Camp Foster and MCAS Futenma (26.282342, 127.737392), Kadena Yakyujo (26.369054, 127.770194) near Kadena Air Base and Torii Station.
*An intrasquad game scheduled on Feb. 9. Practice games scheduled on Feb 11, 14, 18 (Ginowan), 13 (Kadena), 15 (Chatan), 17 (Gushikawa), 19 (Itoman). Preseason games on Feb 21 and 22 (Ginowan).
Web: https://sp.baystars.co.jp/team/camp/sp2026/?sptop=pickup1
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Date: Feb. 1 – 26
Days off: Feb. 6, 13, 20
Location: ANA Ball Park Urasoe near Camp Kinser (26.251269, 127.724458)
*Practice games are scheduled on Feb 12 (Chatan), 15 and 25 (Urasoe), 18 (Ginowan). Preseason games are scheduled on Feb 21 (Naha), 22 and 23 (Urasoe).
Web: https://www.yakult-swallows.co.jp/special/camp2026
Yomiuri Giants
Date: Feb. 14 – Mar. 1
Days off: Feb. 18, 24
Location: Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha near Naha Military Port (26.203384, 127.673039)
*Practice games scheduled on Feb 15, 17, 27, 28 (Naha). Preseason games scheduled at Okinawa Cellular Stadium on Feb. 21 and 23 (Naha), 22 (Chatan).
Web: https://www.giants.jp/schedule/first-team/?month=202602
Chiba Lotte Marines
Date: Feb. 1 – 12 (Ishigaki Island), Feb. 13 – 23 (Itoman City)
Days off: Feb. 4, 9, 16
Location: Ishigakishi Chuo Koen Yakyujo (24.345995, 124.170769),
Itomanshi Nishizaki Sogo Undo Koen (26.144957, 127.662413)
*Practice games are scheduled on Feb 14 (Ginowan), 17 (Naha), 18 (Koza), 19 and 22 (Itoman). Preseason games will be on Feb 21 (Kin) and 23 (Chatan).
Web: https://www.marines.co.jp/game/calendar/
AloJapan.com