Japan Offers An American-Style Diversion

U.S. business travelers in Japan who enjoy the U.S. national pastime, likely will find baseball, Japanese-style, intriguing and fun.

However, Tokyo home games of the Yomiuri Giants are tough tickets, and should be booked in advance. On the other hand, says the the Japan National Tourist Organization, good seats to watch the Nippon Ham Fighters at the Tokyo Dome, or the Yakulto Swallows, can usually be purchased on the day of the game.

And, if business brings travelers even further afield, it might be worth checking out the home games of the Nagoya Chunichi Dragons, or Osaka's Kintetsu Buffaloes, each playing in brand new domed stadiums. Baseball also can be viewed in Seibu, Kobe, Chiba, Fukoka, Yokohama and Hiroshima. Tickets cost anywhere between $8 and $47.

Fans will note that cheering tends to be more organized, and that along with standard fare, stadium snack bars also sell sushi.

The regular season runs from April through September. After which, winners of the two six-team divisions meet in the championship Nihon (National) Series. The Japan National Tourist Organization (212-757-5640) provides information on ticket agencies and other services for booking seats.