Baseball fans watching the Dodgers vs. Cubs season/photo courtesy

The Major League Baseball (MLB) began the 2025 regular season through an exciting two-game tournament in Tokyo, Japan, where the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs played. Baseball fans worldwide witnessed the highly awaited games at Tokyo Dome’s 55,000-seat indoor stadium while celebrating Japan’s strong heritage for the sport.

A Historic Opening Series

Major League Baseball presented a unique Tokyo Series in 2025 because it showcased numerous renowned Japanese baseball players. Among them were:

• Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) – Japan’s national hero and reigning National League MVP
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) – Star pitcher making his MLB debut
• Roki Sasaki (Dodgers) – Another rising Japanese pitching talent
• Shota Imanaga (Cubs) – A powerful left-handed pitcher
• Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) – Established MLB outfielder

Hundreds of thousands of fans rejoiced as their national athletes returned to Japan., Tokyo Skytree became a massive facility that hosted batting areas, store shopping, and game viewing areas.

Banners showcasing the many Japanese stars/photo courtesy

Shohei Ohtani: The Center of Attention

Ohtani played designated hitter for the Dodgers even after a successful recovery from shoulder surgery. His record-breaking $700 million contract has strengthened his legendary status in sports during the first month of 2023. Ohtani displayed his enthusiasm by mentioning that Tokyo Dome was his starting point for watching baseball, and he felt thrilled to participate in this particular opportunity.

Hall of Fame player Ken Griffey Jr. described Ohtani as a player who makes audiences stop their activities to view the game after comparing him to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Event for Fans

The excitement in Japan was overwhelming:

• Fans camped outside the Tokyo Dome just to glimpse Ohtani during practice.
• Tickets sold out instantly, with prices soaring higher than airfare from L.A. to Tokyo.
• American Dodgers fans flew in, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Hundreds of thousands of fans rejoiced as their national athletes returned to Japan. Tokyo Skytree became a massive facility that hosted batting areas, store shopping, and game viewing areas.

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers/photo courtesy

Shohei Ohtani: The Center of Attention

Ohtani played designated hitter for the Dodgers even after a successful recovery from shoulder surgery. His record-breaking $700 million contract has strengthened his legendary status in sports during the first month of 2023. Ohtani displayed his enthusiasm by mentioning that Tokyo Dome was his starting point for watching baseball, and he felt thrilled to participate in this particular opportunity. Hall of Fame player Ken Griffey Jr. described Ohtani as a player who makes audiences stop their activities to view the game after comparing him to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.