We had a relaxed morning before taking the subway to the Tokyo Dome. We had tickets to the Tokyo Giants baseball game and would be staying the night at the Tokyo Dome Hotel.
We got there around lunchtime as my wife and her mother had a spa appointment near the Dome for the afternoon. But first we had lunch at the MLB Cafe located next to the Dome. There are no MLB Cafes in the US, but the Japanese are big baseball fans and there are a number of Japanese stars who play in the MLB.
Kai and I ordered a Pokemon drink that came with collectors buttons.
We all had pizza for lunch.
There was a big screen tv above us that was showing the LA Angels game live. Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani was playing for the Angels.
After lunch, us menfolk killed time in the afternoon while the ladies went to the spa.
First we went to a Sega center where Kai looked at Pokemon prizes and took pictures of them.
There is an amusement park next to the Dome. Kai and I rode this water ride.
I got quite drenched but it was fun.
We walked around a nearby mall for a bit before heading to our hotel room to pass the time until it was time to walk over to the Tokyo Dome.
This is now my third Japanese baseball game.
It is always fun to check out the food choices.
The atmosphere at Japanese baseball games is different than at American games. For one thing, they have cheerleaders who perform before the game and during the 7th inning stretch.
We settled into our seats just prior to the start of the game.
I had a sukiyaki bento box. Kai had yakisoba that came in a mini Giants baseball helmet.
My wife is holding Kai's edamame in the previous photo. She had menchikatsu (ground pork) sandwich.
The fans in right field were especially exuberant. They had a band and had special chants and songs for each Giants batter. In the 7th inning stretch, they unfurled a giant banner.
It was a low-scoring game until the bottom of the 8th inning when the Giants bats came alive. Kai loved it.
He really enjoys seeing baseball games live, and had a lot of fun at this game.
The Giants went on to win 5-0. Their starting pitcher went all the way, something you rarely see in the MLB or in Japan as well these days.
EDITED: I belatedly realized that not only did Yamaguchi throw a complete-game shutout, he actually pitched a no hitter! He had walked a batter in the 7th inning and the runner eventually ended up nearly scoring so I hadn't initially noticed that the pitcher was throwing a no hitter. Also, Japanese crowds are so enthusiastic all throughout the game that it wasn't unusually loud at the end. But, anyway, we got to witness a bit of Japanese baseball history that night!
After the game, we went to the amusement park and rode the ferris wheel. We had a nice view of the Dome and our hotel.
In the distance we could also see the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower (though my photos of those did not come out well).
This being Japan, this was not just an ordinary Ferris wheel - it was a karaoke ferris wheel.
Kai did not like any of the English language song choices (Let It Go, Celine Dion's Titanic song, etc.) but we got him to sing a little bit and we all had a good laugh at our own expense.
And so ended a good, fun, day. It may have been Kai's favorite on the trip so far.
A big day for everyone. I just love the Japanese food at the ball game.
ReplyDeleteI had never before heard of a karaoke Ferris Wheel. That is just so Japanese.
Kai had a good time all day long...and into the night. I could see the delight in his face in the photos.
Kai had great fun all day!
DeleteThat is exactly how I would describe the karaoke Ferris wheel... so Japanese! :)