What are batting centers?
Have you ever been to a batting center in Tokyo? The batting center is an entertainment facility where you can enjoy hitting baseballs. In the United States, they are called batting cages. The ball is thrown not by a human but by a machine. The speed of the ball can be adjusted and you can select different types of pitches. With a variety of playing styles to choose from, people ranging from beginners to advanced players can enjoy batting. Among Japanese people, it has recently become popular among women and is a popular date spot!
There are about 20 batting centers in Tokyo. They cost as low as 200-400 JPY each session, and since you do not have to bring any equipment, you can drop by and kill time whenever you want.
Also, the world's most advanced pitching machines are used at Japanese batting centers, so you can feel like you are on the field in the middle of a baseball game.
Today, I will introduce eight recommended batting centers in Tokyo by features.
8 Recommended Batting Centers
Price a concern? Here are some cheaper batting centers!
1. Shinjuku Batting Center (新宿バッティングセンター)
Shinjuku Batting Center has been in operation for over 30 years. Although the building is old, the center retains the old Japanese atmosphere and is popular with Japanese people. You can set the speed of the pitches by the machines from 70 to 130 km/hr, so even women can enjoy hitting baseballs.
Source: Youtube, かつおとこんぶ
Fee: 300 JPY for 26 pitches
Pitching speeds: 70 – 130 km/hr
Address: 2-21-13 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:00 – 28:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station
Official Website: http://metro-net.co.jp/business/amusement/batting_center/
2. Sangenjaya Batting Center (三軒茶屋バッティングセンター)
One of the older batting centers, Sangenjaya Batting Center, has been operating for over 60 years. It is a building with a history behind it, reminding those who visit the batting center of Japan's high economic growth period. Definitely a place to visit if you are looking for a bit of nostalgia in a batting center in Tokyo.
The batting center is located on the second floor of the building at the top of the stairs. Located in Sangenjaya’s famous izakaya district “Triangle area,” for the shape of the area, many Japanese people enjoy hitting the batting center before heading out for some drinks.
Source: Youtube, フリ-マンティ-ケィ
Fee: 200 JPY for 20 pitches
Pitching speeds: 85, 95, 105 km/hr
Address: 2-14-6 Sangenjaya, Setagaya, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 11:00 – 18:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 4-minute walk from Sangenjaya Station
Enjoy a realistic batting experience!
3. Sunsquare Stadium (サンスクエアスタジアム)
Sunsquare Stadium is a comprehensive entertainment and leisure facility where you can enjoy the batting center and various other sports such as bowling, tennis, and golf. Enjoy playing different types of sports using the latest equipment available for use.
This batting center in Tokyo offers the ability to “play baseball without having to run,” using AI and its specialized sports machine. It is a popular spot for Japanese baseball YouTubers to visit and enjoy themselves. With a maximum pitching speed of 170 km/h, why not test your skills and confidence at this batting center!
Source: Youtube, トクサンTV【A&R】
Fee: 400 JPY for 15 pitches
Pitching speeds: 80 – 170 km/hr
Address: Sunsquare Building 2F, 1-4-1 Oji, Kita City, Tokyo
Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 – 23:00
Saturdays: 10:00 – 23:00
Sundays: 10:00 – 22:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 1-minute walk from Oji Station
Official Website: https://www.npd.jp/sun/stadium.html
4. Meiji Jingu Batting Dome (明治神宮バッティングドーム)
The Meiji Jingu Gaien Batting Dome is a unique batting center where you can play against virtual baseball players. With virtual opponents to keep you on your toes, you can practice batting as if you were in an actual baseball game! With an accessible location near Shinjuku and Shibuya, you can enjoy hitting some balls against virtual opponents!
Source: Youtube, machilogmovie
Fee: 420 JPY for 20 pitches
Pitching speeds: 70 – 130 km/hr
Address: 2-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 5-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station
Official Website: http://www.meijijingugaien.jp/sports/batting/
5. Active AKIBA Batting Center (アクティブAKIBAバッティングセンター)
With a highly customizable pitching machine, it is not too much of an exaggeration to say that Active AKIBA Batting Center probably the most advanced pitching machine in the world. Located in Japan's technology capital, this batting center in Tokyo uses a 3-motor machine that allows the players to hone their batting skills against straight balls and a variety of changeup pitches. The high-speed pitching machine named "Air TOPGUN" will let batters test their batting against pitches ranging from 80-170 km/h. With a projection of an active professional baseball player on a large 60-inch monitor, you can feel as if you are in a realistic showdown on the baseball field!
Source: Youtube, ぼなーる ちゃんねる
Fee: 1100 JPY for 20 pitches x 3 plays
Pitching speeds: 80 – 170 km/hr
Pitching types: Fork, curve, slider
Address: Yodobashi AKIBA 9F, 1-1 Kanda Hanaokacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:30 – 23:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 1-minute walk from Akihabara Station
Official Website: http://akiba.golf-active.jp/batting
6. Asakusa Batting Stadium (浅草バッティングスタジアム)
Located in Asakusa Batting Stadium is a full-fledged pitching machine. Enjoy batting with extreme realism with a professional baseball player displayed as a virtual image. There are several pitching speeds and even changeups that you can choose from, so even the biggest baseball fan will enjoy themselves here. Since its location is close to Asakusa Station, it is a great place to drop by while visiting Asakusa.
Source: Youtube, 高林竜也
Fee: 400 JPY for 1 game
Pitching speeds: 70 – 150 km/hr
Pitching types: Various changeups available
Address: ROX DOME 2F, 1-27-5 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:30 – 25:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Official Website: https://www.asakusa-bs.com/price/
Have fun doing other things besides just batting!
7. Oslo Batting Center Shinjuku (オスローバッティングセンター新宿)
Here is another batting center near the Shinjuku Batting Center beside the one that was introduced earlier. However, compared to the Shinjuku Batting Center, this center has a newer atmosphere and feeling, but with a slightly higher fee. Not only is it a batting center in Tokyo, but it has other activities you can enjoy too!
The building is divided into two floors, with the first floor with crane games and arcade basketball game, and the second floor has arcade games and the batting center.
Source: Youtube, スイート戦隊ドルチェンジャー
Fee: 1,100 JPY for 20 balls x 3 game
Pitching speeds: 80 – 130 km/hr
Address: 2-34-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:00 – 25:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 12-minute walk from Shinjuku Station
Official Website: http://www.oslo.ecweb.jp/
8. Spo-Dori (スポドリ)
Spo-Dori is an indoor sports facility where you can enjoy various activities such as bouldering, batting, pitching, and even golf! As it is well-equipped, it is very popular with families and women. One unique feature of this batting center is that you can hit softballs and real baseballs that are used in professional baseball.
Source: のどかの和
Fee: 400 JPY for 20 balls
Pitching speeds: 80 – 130 km/hr
Address: Yellow Building 3F, 1-3-61, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Operating Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Holidays: No holidays, open all year round
Access: 1-minute walk from Suidobashi Station
Official Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/spo-dori/baseball/
Things to watch out for when going to the batting center
Be careful when choosing your pitching speeds and batting position
There are different pitching speeds to choose from depending on where you will be hitting in the batter’s box. If you are a beginner, do not go into the batter’s box that only allows you to choose high-speed pitches, such as 130 km/h or more.
Also, you should not bat from the edge of the batter's box. For example, if you are a right-handed batter, you will want to avoid moving to the far-left side of the box. This is because if you try to hit the ball normally, you will pull the ball to the left, and there is a net immediately on the left, which will stop the ball.
Consider people waiting in line when the batting center is busy
Since batting can become fun and addicting, some people are not satisfied with just one round of play and immediately want to start a second round. However, this is not proper manners and should be avoided. If someone is waiting to play after you, please follow proper etiquette rules and take turns one at a time.
Do not forget your personal belongings
Many people tend to leave things behind when visiting the batting center. When batting, people put their items in their pockets or a bag on the floor, but some forget their belongings when batting and leave the center without their wallet, phone, keys, etc. If you are hitting the batting center with your friends, perhaps have your friends look after your things when you are up to bat.