Hanshin Koshien Stadium – one of baseball’s most legendary ballparks, right up there with Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.  It is one of few ballparks in the world still in use where Babe Ruth played; in fact, a monument to The Babe stands in the plaza outside of the ballpark.

Opened in 1924 to host Japan’s annual high school baseball championship, Koshien Stadium still hosts Japan’s two premier annual high school tournaments and, in doing so, temporarily kicks out its more frequent home team – NPB’s Hanshin Tigers.  For an in-depth look at the Koshien high school championship, read this first-hand experience or check out the amazing documentary by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.

With ivy on its outside walls, one of the most raucous baseball fanbases in the world, and a team with a fascinating history, Koshien Stadium is a treasure. For more on this legendary ballpark, read our Koshien Stadium profile.