(Illustration by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Japan)

Today, just like the National and American Leagues in Major League Baseball, there are two leagues in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) - Central and Pacific. With the 12 teams scattered from Hokkaido to Kyushu, many of Japan’s major cities have a team to call their own. For those on the mainland, check out the team closest to you and visit a ballpark this summer.

Although Okinawa doesn’t have a team, the island hosts Spring Training for many squads, and games are easy and often free to attend!

shi/ichi [city/market] (Image by Stripes Japan)