Event 17 – Where the Swallows Roost (and Rule)

Group Photo at Meiji Jingu Stadium
Stephen, Kenneth, me, Maury, and Tim at Meiji Jingu Stadium for some NPB Central League action. (Photo by Tim Parker)

The Written Word

Still Images

  • The Yakult Swallows have a strong presence around the stadium.
  • Signs point to Meiji Jingu Stadium at the subway’s exit.
  • The first view of Meiji Jingu Stadium from the sidewalk outside the entrance.
  • I can’t help myself:-) (Photo by Stephen Miller)
  • Stephen, me, and Kenneth take a moment to snap an ussie. (Photo by Stephen Miller)
  • If these are the Swallows’ offices they are, um, modest from the exterior.
  • Much like New York’s old Shea Stadium, Meiji Jingu Stadium has a steady stream of flights overhead.
  • The concourses were narrow and often times crowded on the night we attended.
  • Our seat view of the infield.
  • Our seat view of the outfield.
  • I’d totally be a Swallow Crew member if I lived in the area.
  • The scoreboard also had video capabilities. (Photo by Stephen Miller)
  • This pair of ladies were totally into the Swallows’ famed umbrella dance. (Photo by Stephen Miller)
  • Fans hoist their umbrellas during the 7th inning stretch.
  • The view of the Swallow Crew in the rightfield bleachers.
  • The Yomiuri Giants’ fans with the Japanese National Stadium in the immediate background and the NTT Docomo Youogi Building illuminated in the distance.
  • This map directs fans on where to go to find their seats.
  • Our seat view under the lights.

Video

Entering my section at Jingu Stadium.
The Giants-Swallows first pitch.
Fans chant for Domingo Santana.
The cheer teams race.
Swallows fans cheering.
Swallows fans do the umbrella dance.
Visiting Giants’ fans chanting.
The game’s final out.

Audio

The traveling crew reflects on their time at historic Meiji Jingu Stadium for the Tokyo showdown between the host Yakult Swallows and the Yomiuri Giants.

Fun Facts

  • Traveling Party – Doug and friends Kenneth, Maury, Stephen, and Tim
  • Last Time Visited – Doug, Kenneth, and Stephen have never been to Korea, Tim and Maury have. None had previously attended a NPB game.
  • An Entertaining Venue – There were similarities between the Korean and Japanese baseball spectating experiences, but the Japanese get some extra credit for the Swallows’ fans famous “Umbrella Dance,” the urikos (aka beer girls) were a bundle of energy and fascinating to watch go about their business, and the two cheer teams mid-game spinny race with the giant pole was some riotous fun.
  • Running List of States Traveled To/Through – Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, & West Virginia
  • Running List of Countries Traveled To/Through – Canada (Ontario & Quebec), England, Japan, Korea, Scotland, United States, & Wales
  • Distance Traveled – 781 air miles from ICN to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, plus 46 miles via train to our rental in Tokyo, plus 13 miles from Tokyo to Haneda International Airport, plus 7,760 air miles (per Delta Airlines), plus 52 miles from DTW to home, for a total of 8,652 miles
  • Cumulative Distance Traveled After 17 Events – 42,964 miles
  • Up Next: The Indy 500 was Memorial Day Sunday. Coming soon is the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, NE