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  The Swallows home ballpark lies
within a large sports complex, containing a rugby field,
soccer stadium, tennis courts and other attractions. On
weekends, the streets behind the ballpark are sometimes
closed to traffic and open to bicyclists and roller-blade
hockey enthusiasts. It's a very pleasant and green area.
By
train, there are two ways to get to Jingu Stadium.
Probably the best is to arrive at Gaienmae Station on the
Ginza line (which connects to Shibuya and Ueno). Around
Gaienmae, there are a couple fast food restaurants (First
Kitchen and Subway) and some convenience stores where you
can pick up snacks for the game. If you take the road
that leads to the front of the ballpark, you'll find
several street vendors selling drinks and Japanese food.
The back way is a nicer walk, and it's also where fans line-up to grab
outfield unreserved seats (but get your tickets before
you get in line).
Around Jingu Stadium
|
| A |
Gaienmae
Station |
| B |
Aoyama-itchome
Station |
| C |
JR
Shinanomachi Station |
| 1 |
Subway
Sandwiches |
| 2 |
Convenience
stores |
| 3 |
Restrooms |
| 4 |
Ticket
booth |
| 5 |
Swallows
clubhouse |
| 6 |
Swallows
practice field |
| 7 |
Batting
cages |
| 8 |
Picture
Gallery |
| 9 |
Outdoor
cafe |
| 10 |
Chichibu
Rugby Stadium |
| 11 |
National
Stadium |
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If
you get off at Shinanomachi Station on the JR Sobu Line
(connects to Shinjuku and Akihabara), it's a pleasant
stroll through one of the greenest areas in Tokyo before
you arrive at the back of Jingu. You can buy infield
tickets at the booth at the front of the stadium, and
outfield tickets are sold behind the ballpark. With
unreserved seats, it's a good idea to get to the
ballpark a few hours early (especially if you plan to see
a Giants game).
Between
the back of Jingu and the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery
is a large practice field where the Swallows usually warm
up before games. At the north-west corner of the field,
there are coin-operated batting cages and a pitching
machine where you can test your own ability. Between
about 4:00 and 5:00 PM (all Yakult games at Jingu start
at 6:20), players wander from the practice field, cross
the street, and walk into the team's clubhouse (located outside the
stadium, nearest the right-field foul pole). If you'd like to
get an autograph or your favorite player's picture,
this is the place to be.
The
Swallows also play a few "home" games each year
at Fukuoka Dome and Chiba Marine Stadium.
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