A Journey into Japan's Baseball Passion

Hello everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to Koshien. Many of you might already know about Japanese baseball and might say, "Koshien? Of course, I know that!" However, this time, I'm not talking about the Koshien Stadium itself, but about what Koshien means to young baseball players.
First, let's start with some basic information about Koshien Stadium.
Koshien Stadium Basic Information

• Location: 1-65 Koshien-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture

• Seating Capacity: About 55,000 people

• Field Dimensions: 100m to the left and right fields, 112m to center field, total area about 36,000㎡

• Opened: August 1, 1926

• Owner: Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

• Main Uses:

  • Professional baseball (home of the Hanshin Tigers)

  • National High School Baseball Championship (Summer Koshien)

  • National High School Invitational Tournament (Spring Koshien)

  • Other baseball games and events

Now, let's talk about the high school baseball championships held at Koshien.
Koshien Tournaments
Koshien tournaments are the most prestigious high school baseball championships in Japan, held twice a year at Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

• Spring Koshien (Invitational Tournament):

  • Official name: "National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament"

  • Held in March

  • Teams are invited based on their performance in regional tournaments

• Summer Koshien (National High School Baseball Championship):

  • Official name: "National High School Baseball Championship"

  • Held in August

  • Teams qualify through regional tournaments held across Japan

  • More popular and widely followed than the Spring Koshien

2023 Koshien Tournaments TV CM

These tournaments are the pinnacle of high school baseball in Japan and are supported by many fans nationwide.
Koshien is a place of dreams for young baseball players. The tournaments are held twice a year, and the summer tournament is especially significant. It’s not an exaggeration to say that every high school baseball player aims to play there. Out of over 4,000 high schools nationwide, the top team is decided, and professional scouts also pay close attention, often leading to players being selected in the draft.

Each prefecture has schools that regularly make it to Koshien. Aspiring players often aim to get into these schools. Young players dreaming of becoming professional baseball players practice hard every day, hoping to shine at Koshien. However, it is a narrow path. In addition to Hokkaido and Tokyo, the prefectures with more than 128 participating schools—Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka—send two representatives each. Regional qualifiers are held in a knockout tournament format, with the undefeated team winning the championship.
The Koshien tournament is not only a dream for young players but also a symbol of youth for many adults who support them. During the summer high school baseball season, it’s common to hear people, especially men, reminiscing about past tournaments.

During the summer vacation, other sports also hold national tournaments, but the media coverage of Koshien is overwhelmingly larger. Regular schools at Koshien have excellent facilities and coaches, and their training is tough, with hardly any breaks. When a public high school without scouting reaches Koshien and faces a regular school, it creates a lot of excitement. Despite the tournament being held on weekdays in August, most games are packed with fans who enjoy the unique cheering styles of each school.

Koshien is not just a baseball tournament; it's a special place filled with the dreams and youth of many young players. The spring and summer tournaments provide the best stage for them and are major events for fans across Japan. The summer Koshien brings unforgettable dramas, with players' efforts and passion deeply moving the audience. Koshien will continue to symbolise young players' hard work and dreams, attracting many people in the years to come.

Lastly, the players dedicate their lives to participating in this tournament, and not only the players but their families also devote their time and effort for their loved ones. That’s how much this tournament means to them all. Calling it a "dream place" might be an understatement for Koshien. We hope we were able to share at least some thoughts about this tournament.