Planning your evening around NPB baseball
If you're scheduling a baseball game during your Japan trip, you need to know when it starts, how long it lasts, and when you'll get back to your hotel.
First pitch times
Night games (weekdays)
18:00 (6 PM) is standard. Gates open about 90 minutes before first pitch, so around 16:30.
Day games (weekends/holidays)
14:00 (2 PM) is most common. Sunday games sometimes start at 13:00 (1 PM).
Average game duration
NPB games average about 3 hours and 10 minutes. Extra-inning games can extend to 3.5-4 hours, but this is relatively rare.
When will it end?
18:00 night game → expect to leave the stadium around 21:15-21:30. 14:00 day game → expect to leave around 17:15-17:30.
Arriving late
You can enter the stadium at any time during the game. If you're coming from work or sightseeing, aim for the 5th inning stretch or the 7th-inning Lucky Seven — iconic moments in NPB games.
Last train concerns
In Tokyo, last trains run around 00:00-00:30. Even extra-inning night games should end well before last train. For suburban stadiums (like Belluna Dome), leave a bit earlier to be safe.
How to buy tickets
Purchase in advance through English-language ticket services that accept international cards. Having your ticket ready means you can walk straight in whenever you arrive.