Game day inside Koshien Stadium. Photo by Jim Spavins.

Koshien Stadium Guide

Site of the famed Koshien High School baseball tournament, Koshien Stadium is also home to the Hanshin Tigers of the NPB.  The stadium is the oldest in the league and was recently renovated after the 2009 season.  Some of the changes included replacing the seats, replacing the shed roof over the infield stands, replacing the lights, and removing the ivy that had grown on the side of the stadium.  New ivy has been planted but will take several years to cover the ballpark as it did before.

What to See at the Ballpark 

There is plenty to explore at the stadium so make sure you arrive early.  One of the additions that was added as port of the stadium renovations was a new Koshien Stadium Museum located behind centerfield.  It costs ¥500 to enter the museum and inside you will find information about the history of the Tigers and the Koshien Tournament along with lots of memorabilia.  Outside the ballpark, there are a number of souvenir stores and food stands to grab something before heading inside.  There are lost of food options from the Babe Ruth approved "Herman Dog" to bento boxes.

Getting to the Game

The easiest way to get to the game is to take the Hanshin Railway to the appropriately named Koshien Station stop.  If you are coming from Osaka, you can take a Limited Express train from Hanshin Umeda Station located by the Hanshin Department store at the JR Osaka Station.  By a  roundtrip ticket for the train while you are there so as to avoid the post game rush at the ticket machines after the game.

  Want more? Japanese Baseball Road Trip Guide »  

Related Links

Tigers Website (Japanese)

Wikipedia Info (English)