Osaka · Sports & events
SPORT & SEASON
Osaka is Japan's loudest sporting city — baseball obsession, spring sumo and two football clubs.
Hanshin Tigers at Koshien
Nippon Professional Baseball runs late March to October. Koshien, over in Nishinomiya, is the oldest ground in Japan and the noisiest.
Spring basho, Edion Arena
One of the six annual sumo tournaments lands in Osaka every March, over fifteen days at Edion Arena in Namba. Cheap upper seats sell out early.
Gamba and Cerezo Osaka
Two J.League clubs, seasons running roughly February to December. Panasonic Stadium Suita is a purpose-built football ground with steep, close stands.
High school baseball
Koshien also hosts the national schools tournaments in spring and again in August — brass bands, tears, and tickets far cheaper than the pro game.