明治神宮野球場 - Jingu

Meiji Jingu Stadium, known affectionately as “Jingu”, is the home stadium of the Yakult Swallows baseball team. Built in 1926, it is the second oldest baseball stadium in Japan after the highly revered Koshien Stadium (1924). Jingu’s historical pedigree includes both Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth playing there in the 1930s.

Nighter - night games began in 1962

Jingu is evocative of historical stadiums such as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field in the USA via its early twentieth century design, proximity of the seats to the field and general openness. With a seating capacity of approximately 38,000 and home left/center/right field wall distances in the 97-120 m (320 - 395 ft) range, it has a cozy scale and feeling. Jingu has heavily influenced the design of for six Japanese university stadiums down to the sunlight-shadow directionality.

Stadium Exterior - Near Main Entrance

The location is the most central among the 5 professional baseball stadiums and teams playing in metropolitan Tokyo. The broader Meiji Jingu Gaien site includes a number of other sporting and recreational facilities including the “New National (Olympic) Stadium”, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, a golf driving range, an ice skating rink, batting cages, futsol as well as public park space and the Meiji Kinenkan portrait gallery. From a more macro perspective, Jingu is between other important park/green/open space in central Tokyo including Shinjuku Gyoen, Togu Palace, Aoyama Cemetery and the nearby Yoyogi Park. 

Before - Current Site Layout

Unfortunately, a decision has been taken to demolish the rugby stadium to build a replacement for Jingu. Thereafter, Jingu itself will be demolished to erect a new rugby stadium. The current plan is for the Swallows to play the 2027 season in Jingu and the 2028 season in the new stadium. The new baseball stadium promises to have a similar amount of seating with the same back screen, baselines and sunlight-shadow directionality.

After - Future Site Layout

The project is proceeding under the guise of Jingu being “too old” with insufficient concession and restrooms facilities as well as a lack of handicap accessibility. The primary driver in reality is a massive real estate project benefitting stakeholders including Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan Sports Council, Itochu, Mitsui Fudosan and other adjacent landowners. In shifting facilities around on this large site, space for multiple new commercial buildings, hotels and retail will be created. 

Batting Practice

Not personally being an overarching historical preservationist or development obstructionist, this plan still seems to be a mistake and represents a significant loss for Tokyo. It would make more sense to spend a large percentage of the cost of a new stadium to reinforce, improve seating and make other improvements (including elevator installation) to Jingu while preserving the structure and unparalleled atmosphere and history. 

Field Level

Let’s hope the new stadium a least as good as Oracle Park in San Francisco, Camden Yards in Baltimore or PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Regardless, a Potemkin village/faux historic version or highly modern new stadium will likely pale in comparison to the mighty Jingu.

Photos: Header - Stadium Map, Night Game, Stadium Exterior, Batting Practice, First Base Line

Maps: Red line denotes existing baseball and rugby stadium boundaries.

Special Thanks: Yakult Swallows/ACCJ for batting practice access 4 Sep 2019.

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時夢

Bonus Photos: stadium and nearby environs

Centerfield

Behind Home Plate

Jingu Street Level Entrance

New National Olympic Stadium - Jingu View

Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium

On Deck - Warm Up Circle