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 Located
three stops from Ikebukuro via the Marunouchi Subway
line, and between Shinjuku and Akihabara on the JR Sobu
(Chuo) line, Tokyo Dome is within easy reach of all parts
of Japan's largest city.
The
closest station, Korakuen on the Marunouchi line, lies
just across the street from the north side of Tokyo Dome.
If you have time before the game, grab a burger at the
McDonalds next to the subway ticket gates. Or stroll
across the other street at the intersection and blow a
few thousand yen at Yomiuri Land, the K-mart
blue-light-special of amusement parks.
Leaving
JR Suidobashi Station two blocks south of the dome, you
will encounter several street vendors selling beer and
soft drinks. Others peddle soba, udon, yakitori and other
less easily identified morsels.
Around Tokyo Dome:
 |
| 1. |
McDonalds |
| 2. |
Yomiuri-Land |
| 3. |
To:Do gift shop |
| 4. |
Japanese
Baseball
Hall of Fame
Museum |
| 5. |
Ticket booth |
| 6. |
Baseball Cafe |
| 7. |
KFC, Pizza Hut,
Dunkin Donuts
and Mr. Donuts |
| 8. |
Subway
Sandwiches |
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If
playing Japanese snack roulette disagrees with your
palate, you'll likely find more familiar offerings at the
intersection between JR Suidobashi Station and Tokyo
Dome, a place which could easily be dubbed "fast
food corner." There, you'll find Mr. Donuts, Dunkin
Donuts, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Subway Sandwiches.
Those
preferring quality over quantity should stop by the
Baseball Cafe, immediately south-east and down one flight
of stairs from the dome. While they don't offer Dodger
Dogs, you can order burgers and other typically American
dishes, all at a reasonable-for-Tokyo price.
If
you still have time to kill and cash to throw around,
visit the To:Do gift shop on the dome's east side.
Although the emphasis is clearly on Giants merchandise, a
bald eye will eventually land upon a few items relating
to the dome's other tenants, the Fighters.
Buy
a cap, a T-shirt, and a plastic megaphone and get ready
to cheer like the natives. For those who either have
trouble sitting on hard seats for three hours or who wish
to show their respect for the current Giants manager, why
not purchase a Shigeo Nagashima butt-pillow and
reverently sit on the great one's grinning image?
Next
to To:Do, past a 450 yen ticket counter and down one of
level of stairs, you can enter the Japanese Baseball Hall
of Fame bunker. Technically a museum, loosely defined,
the lack of windows, the dull carpet and white walls and
the lack of creativity in displaying the items conspire
to lend this hall the personality of Astroturf. Clearly
this attraction was included only as an architectural
afterthought, an attempt to make use of empty space in
the bowels of Japan's first dome.
Still
for the price of a Big Mac, it may be worth a look. Team
uniforms, pictures, cards and other memorabilia fill a
long procession of glass cases, while one room contains
plaques of all the members of the Japan Hall of Fame. Be
aware, however, that virtually nothing is in English, so
you had better either study the language or bring with
you someone who reads Japanese.
If
you haven't yet bought a ticket, stop by one of the
booths either at the south-east, east, or north sides of
the dome. Then look for your gate and get in line.
Before
entering, you may be asked to open your backpack for
inspection. You may bring cameras, food and drinks with
you--but no glass containers. If you have canned
beverages, you may be asked to pour the contents into
paper cups.
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