Hiroshima Toyo Carp

I've just got back from my most enjoyable evening of this trip to Japan -- I went to see a baseball game between the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Chiba Lotte Marines.

It was great right from the really helpful woman who told me all about the different ticket types.

Other amusing/great things which added to the experience:

-- They almost encourage you to bring your own beer in to the stadium. There are dedicated stations where you pour the cans of beer you bought on the way to the ground in to paper cups before you take your seat.

-- The food options inside are fantastic. Yes you could have a hotdog, but I was more interested in the ramen, yakitori and Japanese curry stalls.

--Sake at a baseball game!

--The unabashed enthusiasm of the supporters -- no need for the PA to get the crowd going.

-- Singing/cheering/general noise from the away team fans.

-- The 7th innings stretch was just so funny and, I hesitate to use this word, cute! It involved everyone getting ready by blowing up big long pink balloons (to represent carp). They then sing a song and at the end let go of their balloons. A really cool sight.

-- The fact that you could leave your bag at your seat when you went off to get more beer or food.

-- The guy I sat next to spoke really good English and we had a decent chat. He told me that the Carp aren't a great team at the moment -- but they won tonight!