By EIJI NODA/ Staff Writer
March 8, 2023 at 17:43 JST
KITA-HIROSHIMA, Hokkaido--Although the once-mighty Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters have fallen on hard times in recent years, their new ballpark promises to make a splash with their devoted legions of fans.
The first stadium in the world to also offer a natural hot spring bath and sauna was shown to the media on March 6 ahead of the opening day of the 2023 season later this month.
Es Con Field Hokkaido is the new home of the Fighters and offers much more than just the typical ballpark experience.
It offers resort-like amenities including watching the game while enjoying a dip in a hot spring bath or relaxing in the sauna. There's also a craft beer brewing restaurant where fans can drown their sorrows if the Fighters are losing.
There are also accommodation facilities inside and outside the stadium and a campground in the surrounding area.
Tower Eleven, a five-story building along the left-field stands, is a landmark facility of the ballpark.
The third floor has natural onsen hot spring baths and sauna.
Spectators wear swimsuits there. The temperature of the sauna is set slightly lower at a temperature of about 85 degrees, so even first-timers can try it without hesitation.
Sauna-goers can see the field through the glass. The sauna also has a standing area.
The natural hot spring water is pumped up from 1,300 meters underground.
The fourth and top floor of the tower will be used as a hotel, which has a total of 12 rooms.
The suite displays jersey number 11 uniforms with autographs by fan favorites Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani. They both wore that number when they starred with the Fighters before becoming superstars in the major leagues.
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Spectators can watch a baseball game while soaking in a hot spring bath. A new ballpark in Kita-Hiroshima, Hokkaido, was shown to the media on March 6. (Takayuki Kakuno)
