The good news
Most NPB team websites accept international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). While the sites are primarily in Japanese, Chrome's auto-translate feature makes them navigable. Here's how to do it for each major team.
Step 1: Find the team's official ticket page
Search for '[team name] チケット' (ticket) or go directly to the team website. Look for a button labeled 'チケット購入' (ticket purchase) or 'TICKET'. Most teams use their own booking system or partner with e-plus, Ticket Pia, or Lawson Ticket.
Step 2: Select your game
Choose the date from the schedule. Game dates show the opponent, start time, and stadium. Weekend games are listed as 土 (Saturday) and 日 (Sunday). Symbols like ○ (available), △ (limited), × (sold out) indicate ticket availability.
Step 3: Choose your seats
Seat categories vary by team but generally: 外野自由席 (outfield unreserved) is cheapest, 内野指定席 (infield reserved) is mid-range, and premium options vary. A stadium map usually shows the location of each section.
Step 4: Create an account and pay
You'll need to create an account (email and password). Enter your credit card details. International cards are usually accepted. You may receive a QR code ticket via email — screenshot it and show it at the stadium gate.