Most people in the world enjoy a sport of some kind. Whether they play it or watch it, it is an activity that brings many people together. Japan is no different, and they have sports that have gained in popularity throughout the country. It helps that the pricing for the sporting events is usually affordable for anyone who wants to watch. In this article, you will see the different kinds of sports that have gained enough popularity to have a professional league in Japan.

Baseball

Baseball is a huge sport in Japan and sees many teams from around the country compete. Each Japanese team has an equivalent Major League team, and most of them have deals with the US teams to train their players and allow Japanese players into the US league. The matches are full of energy, with each team having their own bands that play music and lead chants with the fans. It is closer to an American football game in terms of energy and excitement. All the major cities have their own teams and rivalries that keep fans engaged and excited for the next game. A few popular teams that you can look into are the Yomiuri Giants, Hanshin Tigers, and Hiroshima Carp. There are more teams that you can investigate if you’re interested.

Basketball

Basketball has a fanbase in Japan, but it isn’t as large as other sports. The crowds are generally smaller, but the games are fun to watch at the stadiums. The teams are only in large cities and they play other during a set season. Some teams that are the most popular are the Osaka Evessa, Chiba Jets, and Utsunomiya Brex. The tickets aren’t expensive, and the games are played during times that do not conflict with regular work schedules.

Soccer

Soccer has seen a sharp increase in popularity in Japan and it continues to get the attention of more and more people. It has become popular enough to have different leagues for teams based on skill level. There are teams across the country and each one has a devoted fanbase that follows their progress. This is especially true during the FIFA world cup. Some famous stadiums in Japan are made for soccer teams, most notably Nissan stadium. Like baseball, the fans have their own bands that travel and play music and lead the fans in chants. It is high energy and makes for an enjoyable atmosphere. They usually hold press events and small tailgating-like festivities before games. Ticket prices are reasonable for general admission seats and are a great way to get out to sporting events in Japan.

Sumo

Sumo is Japan’s national sport and is its number one sport across the nation. It is a very old sport and is practiced with the same energy and respect as it always has. There is a typical match season where all the sumo wrestlers vie for the title of Yokozuna. The matches are quick and exciting to watch, and you will see many Japanese people get overly excited while watching. The events are popular and finding tickets is hard for the larger ones. The ticket pricing is higher for these events and is harder to come by as many people reserve them months in advance. The tournaments are great experiences if you ever get a chance to go, and they allow you to get a look at even more Japanese culture.

Judo

Judo is very popular among the younger people of Japan and it has seen a rising interest over the years. There are tournaments held throughout the year, and there is a world Judo tournament as well. You can see the practitioners attempt to defeat each other to claim the prize of number one. The tickets are reasonably priced and there is usually enough for everyone.

Karate

Karate is Japan’s self-made martial art and sees many tournaments around the year. As an Olympic sport, it sees many practitioners entering its tournaments. Many people come to Japan to participate in the tournaments and there is a world championship that is held in Japan every year. The tickets are usually priced well, and they tend to have enough open seats for anyone who wants to see. It is a good way to see how the art has transformed over time.

Tennis

The sport has seen a rise in interest thanks to the recent surge of high-level Japanese tennis players. It is a popular sport in schools and the students continue to pursue the sport well after graduation. Japan has begun to hold some larger professional tournaments, but most of the ones you will see will be amateur or school level. You are free to watch most of the matches with the semi-pro and professional for normal tennis game prices.

Badminton

Badminton is a professional sport across Asia and is watched by many people. The games are quick and require fast reactions and a keen eye. The matches can get intense and some leave the crowd in awe. There are tournaments held around the country, and they even have a few international events. The pricing is relatively low for entry and the matches are enjoyable to watch.

Rugby

After the 2019 world rugby tournament, the Japanese national rugby team had effectively garnered the attention of the nation. Many Japanese that had either no interest or knowledge of the sport became interested and started to support the team. The sport has seen a strong surge in interest and now sees a large following that goes out to the large matches. The prices are close to other professional games, and the matches usually leave everyone on their feet.

Whatever sport you enjoy, you will be able to find people playing it at a high level in Japan. There are many other sports that have not been mentioned in this article, but they will have a smaller following. You will be able to see your favorite sports almost anywhere in Japan.