Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japanese professional baseball plan to relocate their farm team (minor league) headquarters from Chiba Prefecture’s Kashiwa City to Hokkaido by 2030. Other teams have recently established new minor league bases in favorable locations, achieving significant increases in attendance and turning profits on game days. Nippon-Ham envisions a new stadium model that can generate revenue and contribute to regional revitalization. The keys to success appear to lie in location conditions and innovative ideas for attracting spectators.

Chief Baseball Officer Hideki Kuriyama (right) and Ken Kobayashi, Deputy General Manager of Development at Fighters Sports & Entertainment (FSE), announce the relocation of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham’s minor league team to Hokkaido, with an image of the new stadium in the background.

■Just Over 10 Minutes by Train from Umeda

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Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost main island, historically inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before significant Japanese settlement began in the late 19th century. It is renowned for its vast unspoiled nature, volcanic landscapes, and world-class ski resorts. The island’s distinct culture, cuisine, and cooler climate set it apart from the rest of Japan.

Chiba Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture is a key economic and transportation hub in Japan’s Greater Tokyo Area, historically known for its fertile plains and fishing industry. It is home to Narita International Airport and Tokyo Disney Resort, with a cultural history dating back to ancient samurai clans and the Shimōsa Province. The prefecture also features significant Shinto shrines like Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and coastal traditions along the Bōsō Peninsula.

Kashiwa City

Kashiwa City is a modern urban center in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, which grew significantly after the development of its railway connections in the 20th century. While it is largely a contemporary commuter city for Tokyo, it is also home to historic sites like the Kashiwa Shrine, which dates back to the 16th century.

Umeda

Umeda is a major commercial and transportation hub in Osaka, Japan, known for its skyscrapers, shopping centers, and the Umeda Sky Building. Historically, the area was a bustling merchant district during the Edo period, and its name originates from the “ume” (plum) fields that were once cultivated there. It has since evolved into the modern heart of northern Osaka.