What is Kufuu Hayate Ventures?
Kufuu Hayate Ventures Shizuoka joined NPB's Western League in 2024 as an independent farm team, alongside Niigata Albirex BC in the Eastern League. Based in Shimizu (part of Shizuoka City), they play against the farm squads of established NPB teams.
Churu Stadium Shimizu
A compact stadium in the port town of Shimizu. Farm league games draw small, dedicated crowds, creating an intimate atmosphere where you can appreciate the details of professional baseball up close.
Getting there
Bus from JR Shimizu Station (about 10 minutes). From Tokyo, take the Kodama shinkansen to Shizuoka Station (about 1 hour), then JR to Shimizu (10 minutes). It's an easy day trip.
Shimizu: seafood paradise
Shimizu is one of Japan's major tuna ports. The Kashi-no-Ichi market near the port serves incredibly fresh seafood — maguro (tuna) bowls, sakura ebi (tiny pink shrimp) kakiage, and shirasu (whitebait). The seafood quality rivals Tokyo's Tsukiji at a fraction of the price.
Mount Fuji views
On clear days, Mount Fuji is visible from the Shimizu area. Nihondaira, a scenic plateau nearby, offers one of the best Fuji viewpoints. Miho-no-Matsubara pine grove (UNESCO World Heritage) is also just minutes away.
Summary
Hayate Ventures offers budget baseball in a beautiful setting with world-class seafood and Fuji views. A unique addition to any Japan trip passing through the Shizuoka area.