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 Like
their North American counterparts, the best team from
each of Japan's two leagues meet in a championship
best-of-seven games series. The Japan Series has been played
since 1950, when the Mainichi Orions defeated the
Shochiku Robins, but it was the Giants who made history
by winning nine championships in a row, from 1965 to
1973. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Pacific League
Seibu Lions dominated the Japan Series, winning eleven
pennants and eight championships. While both Giants and
Lions remain strong today, they are no longer in a
position to dominate either league.
For
those wishing to see the Japan Series, all games are
televised in their entirety. If you want to be at the
game, it helps to be in Tokyo near the end of the season
since thirteen of the last fifteen series have been
played in the Tokyo area. As you can imagine, tickets can
be difficult to obtain (particularly if the Giants are
playing), but it's definitely worth a try.
Generally,
the first two games are played in late October on a
Saturday and Sunday in the either the Pacific or Central
League team's home stadium. After a day of traveling, the
series continues in the other team's park on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday (if necessary). If the series
goes to six or seven games, the teams return to the first
ballpark. For more information, see this year's Japan
Series schedule.
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