Mizuho PayPay Dome FUKUOKA — Attraction in Fukuoka

Personally it is the 5th baseball stadium that I visited in Japan. I enjoyed NPB games, FUKUOKA SoftBank HAWKS vs. HOKKAIDO NIPPONHAM FIGHTERS dated September 18, 2024, with ORIX BUFFALOES dated September 20, 2024 and with RAKUTEN EAGLES dated September 21, 2024.

As you know well, MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA is home of FUKUOKA SoftBank HAWKS. It is established in 1993 with 40,142 seats.

Many people will agree that the enthusiasm of SoftBank fans is an iconic. Many people were wearing its replica jerseys with his/her favorite player's numbers. It seems that they really love it. How can I say in English? I was happy to be here to enjoy the strong energy of them. It was a really special experience.

There are several food courts inside of the stadium. Overall, the food was good. The staff was kind and ordering food was not that difficult because I could explain with pictures; however, when my food was ready, the staff called the ordering number in Japanese. Yes, it’s so natural because I was in Japan. All I have to do was checking whether my food was ready or not while keeping eye contact.

In front of each entrance gate, the staff will do security check, i.e., bag inspection, and QR code check.

Before the game starts, people stand up and sing their national anthem with respect.

After finishing inning 6 and before starting inning 7, HAWKS fans will blow yellow balloons for wishing victory and in case HAWKS win, the fans will blow white balloons for celebrating victory.

When the HAWKS win, the SoftBank HAWKS will prepare fireworks for their fans. Don’t miss it. It was really really incredible experience. Yes, I could see how much they love SoftBank HAWKS.

For your information, there are a big goods shops outside the stadium and a pop-up shop for visitor...

Absolutely fantastic place when there is a game on (the place is completely shut down on off days accept for 1 or 2 food outlets). I went to a baseball game between the Hawks (Fukuoka's home team and top within the region) and the Lions (2nd in the region's league). The atmosphere was incredible. The place was packed with all ages. On the morning of the game (the game itself started at 6pm) I went to Gate 7 (labelled very clearly) to get my ticket (choice between 4.5 and 5.5k yen seats so around £35-40) and found the staff very helpful with clear instructions where I would be sitting. I was a bit nervous initially about where I would be sitting but didn't need to be so anxious since the atmosphere and viewing would have been phenomenal almost anywhere in the stadium. For a 18:00 game tickets on the day are sold between 10.00 and 17.00 hours (at the time of writing). Expect the game to last between 3-4 hours but you are free to leave whenever. Toilets, food outlets, everything you can imagine you need to make your time comfortable and enjoyable and also beer carriers to serve you when you are already comfortable in your seat (again feel free to leave your seat whenever)....

Coming from Australia I was a baseball noob. I first visited Fukuoka Yafuoku Dome (Yahoo Dome) back in 2011. It was my first baseball game.

After later visiting baseball stadiums in the US (including what some say are the best), I think they need to come and visit Fukuoka to see how it should be done.

Firstly the the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks became Nippon champions in the year I was first there, and in subsequent visits in 2014 and this year (they became champs last week).

Unlike San Francisco where I had to get my own beer, in Fukuoka large cups of beer are delivered to the seat by always gorgeous beer sellers. They make life easy :) But the view is clearer, the entertainment and vibe are better. The Japanese make the Americans look like they are asleep (a comparison many Americans I know who visit Japan frequent agree with).

When its baseball season - get a ticket a go....