How Shohei Ohtani has introduced a fresh round of Japanese travelers to Los Angeles
Shohei Ohtani is the sole beneficiary of all the work.Fans from all around the Pacific have long been drawn to the six-foot-four great pitcher and batter. In Los Angeles, however, the number of Japanese visitors has increased dramatically during Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers thanks to his unprecedented Dodgers deal.
Moreover, he hasn’t even begun to pitch.Despite not anticipated to pitch for the Dodgers until 2025, Ohtani is hitting this season while recovering from elbow surgery.That being said, a significant Japanese travel firm informed CNN that it is currently scheduling up to 200 Japanese customers for each Dodgers home game.
The Dodgers are also maximizing the Ohtani effect, with 12 new Japanese sponsors, stadium tours in Japanese, and additional food items in Japanese.
Hizume responded, “Ohtani feels like my own son,” in response to a question about why she flew halfway across the world to watch a baseball game. The general manager of Hizume’s Los Angeles accommodation, the Miyako Hotel, stood next to her and provided translation while she spoke in Japanese. Given that her kid played baseball and that Ohtani reminded her of Japan’s son, Hizume explained why she felt a connection.
There is a widespread belief in Japan that Ohtani embodies the finest qualities of young men in the nation, according to general manager Akira Yuhara. Folks find Shohei’s heart endearing. “He’s a really honest guy,” Yuhara remarked. His former interpreter pleaded guilty to defrauding Ohtani of $17 million in a sports betting scam that involved federal investigators clearing him, perhaps solidifying his honesty in the eyes of the fans.
“It seems like he’s a truly amazing person?” As stated by Judy Clow, who attended a Japanese-language tour at Dodger Stadium with her brother from Japan. “Watch how he approaches us with a pitch! Oh my goodness! According to several Japanese fans, they have previously travelled overseas to see him perform.
Some traveled as far as South Korea, and in the past few years, others have made their way to Southern California, where Ohtani plays for the Los Angeles Angels, who are based in Anaheim, southeast of Los Angeles. Former employees of Angels Stadium who catered to the same fan base comprised a portion of the six recently hired Japanese tour guides at Dodger Stadium.
Gathering at an empty Dodger Stadium to see the dugout, field, press box, and championship trophies, groups of Japanese visitors come even on non-home Dodgers games. There are four daily tour options available in Japanese.
The American pastime with a global flair
There are recognized flavors and advertisements in addition to tours conducted in Japanese for guests. The stadium serves sushi, chicken katsu sandwiches, Kurobuta pig sausages, and takoyaki, which are Japanese round fritters filled with octopus, in addition to the standard ballpark fare like Dodger dogs, according to Christine Gerriets, executive chef at Dodger Stadium.
Gerriets stated, “We had to add a little bit of LA flair to the takoyaki,” pointing out the tempura, conventional, and tastes topped with guacamole and salsa and cheese. Ahtani fan from Nagoya, Japan, Mihana Hayashi, commented that the cheese takoyaki and guacamole had excellent “American taste,” which may be a reflection of how being American frequently entails merging other cultures.
Gathering hordes of international admirers is another aspect of honoring “America’s pastime.”Ohtani was previously visited by Hayashi and her sister. “He’s a good baseball player and so cute!” her sister Nanoha responded when asked why they were such fans.
Long before the game even starts, the fandom at home games becomes intense. Gathering behind ropes on the field to watch Ohtani emerge from the dugout to warm up are groups that are part of special VIP tours, as well as a swarm of American and Japanese media.
“Japanese Heritage Night,” sponsored by Japanese store Daiso, was held by the Dodgers in early July. The event featured performers and giveaways. Daiso and other new Japanese sponsors, such Toyo Tires and probiotic beverage firm Yakult, are prominently displayed on the ad boards around the stadium’s edges in the distance.
When the Dodgers play away games, sponsors are now purchasing space at other stadiums, according to Stan Kasten, president and CEO of the team. This is because the advertising real estate at home has been consumed. In actuality, nothing like this was anticipated, according to Kasten. We can all benefit from this. For baseball as a whole, this is positive. We are opening this up in a much wider way to our fan base abroad, and I believe it is something that the entire baseball community is incredibly pleased of.