Buffaloes Baseball in Kobe
Watch the Orix Buffaloes in Kobe as professional baseball returns to Hotto Motto Field. From BlueWave heritage and outdoor baseball to passionate cheering sections and Pacific League rivalries, these games offer one of the most distinctive sports experiences in Kansai.
The Orix Buffaloes regularly bring Nippon Professional Baseball to Kobe each season, giving fans a chance to experience professional baseball at the stadium where the franchise’s modern history began. While most home games are played at Kyocera Dome Osaka, select games return to Kobe, creating a different atmosphere from the club’s primary home venue and offering one of the most distinctive baseball experiences in Kansai.
Hotto Motto Field Kobe remains one of Japan’s most beloved ballparks and an important part of Buffaloes history. Unlike the enclosed environment of Kyocera Dome Osaka, the stadium offers an outdoor baseball experience with natural grass, open skies, and a closer connection between players and fans. For many supporters, games in Kobe provide a chance to experience the club in a setting that reflects its BlueWave heritage while enjoying one of the most scenic venues in Japanese professional baseball.
The Orix Buffaloes return home for a summer weekend against the Saitama Seibu Lions on July 3–5, opening Friday and Saturday under the stars at Hotto Motto Field Kobe before concluding Sunday at Kyocera Dome Osaka. The first two games are part of the club’s annual Kobe Series, where the open-air ballpark offers one of the most distinctive baseball experiences in Japan. Following each game on Friday and Saturday, fans can remain in their seats for Fireworks Night, with a postgame fireworks display lighting up the Kobe skyline and adding a festival atmosphere to an evening at the ballpark.
Orix heads into the series after defeating the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 5–2 behind Ryoma Nishikawa’s first career grand slam and a strong outing from Aren Kuri. With the Pacific League race entering the heart of summer, every series carries added importance, but few combine meaningful baseball with such a memorable fan experience. Between the outdoor setting, the Kobe Series celebrations, and fireworks after the final out, Friday and Saturday offer one of the most enjoyable baseball nights of the Buffaloes’ season.
The Buffaloes have established themselves as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most successful organizations of the modern era, capturing multiple Pacific League championships and the 2022 Japan Series title. Built around strong pitching, disciplined baseball, and player development, the club continues to be one of the league’s perennial contenders.
Kobe remains an important part of the franchise’s identity. Before the creation of the modern Orix Buffaloes through the 2005 merger of the Orix BlueWave and Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, the BlueWave called Kobe home and produced some of the most iconic players in Japanese baseball history, including Ichiro Suzuki. Today, games in Kobe serve as both a homecoming and a celebration of that legacy.
Game days in Kobe feel noticeably different from those at Kyocera Dome. Fans arrive early to enjoy the open-air setting, local food vendors, and relaxed atmosphere around the stadium before settling in for nine innings of Pacific League baseball. For visitors, it offers an opportunity to experience professional baseball in a more traditional outdoor ballpark while still enjoying the excitement of one of Japan’s top teams.
BlueWave Legacy – Step into the historic home of the Orix BlueWave, one of Japan’s most influential baseball franchises.
Baseball Under the Open Sky – Enjoy a classic outdoor ballpark experience rarely found in modern professional sports.
Kobe Game Day Energy – Join passionate Buffaloes supporters as chants and cheers fill the stadium throughout the game.
Closer to the Field – The stadium’s intimate design creates a more personal connection between fans and players.
Worth the Trip – Kobe games offer one of the most distinctive baseball experiences in Kansai, just a short ride from Osaka.
Photos: Osake Scene, Orix Buffaloes Official Website
Opening Hours
THE SCENE: FAQ’s
ACCESS
Nearest Station:
Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line → Sogo Undo Koen Station (総合運動公園駅) Main Station Exit → 3-minute walk to Hotto Motto Field Kobe
From Osaka Station:
JR Kobe Line (Special Rapid Service) → Sannomiya Station
Transfer to the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line (bound for Seishin-Chuo)
Sogo Undo Koen Station
Approximate travel time: 45–60 minutes
From Shin-Osaka Station:
Osaka Metro Midosuji Line → Shin-Kobe Station
Transfer to the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line (bound for Seishin-Chuo)
Sogo Undo Koen Station
Approximate travel time: 40–50 minutes
From Namba:
Osaka Metro Midosuji Line → Sannomiya Station
Transfer to the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line (bound for Seishin-Chuo)
Sogo Undo Koen Station
Approximate travel time: 50–60 minutes
From Kobe-Sannomiya:
Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line (bound for Seishin-Chuo)
Sogo Undo Koen Station
Approximate travel time: 15 minutes
The stadium is located within Kobe Sports Park and is clearly signposted from Sogo Undo Koen Station. Most spectators arrive by train, and the route from the station to the ballpark is straightforward even for first-time visitors.
SCHEDULE
July 2026 Home Schedule
vs Saitama Seibu Lions
July 3, 2026 (Fri) — 18:00 first pitch — Hotto Motto Field Kobe
July 4, 2026 (Sat) — 18:00 first pitch — Hotto Motto Field Kobe
July 5, 2026 (Sun) — 14:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
vs Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
July 7, 2026 (Tue) — 18:00 first pitch
July 8, 2026 (Wed) — 18:00 first pitch
vs Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
July 18, 2026 (Sat) — 14:00 first pitch
July 19, 2026 (Sun) — 13:00 first pitch
July 20, 2026 (Mon • Holiday) — 13:00 first pitch
vs Chiba Lotte Marines
July 24, 2026 (Fri) — 18:00 first pitch
July 25, 2026 (Sat) — 14:00 first pitch
July 26, 2026 (Sun) — 13:00 first pitch
Gates typically open approximately 60–90 minutes before first pitch.
Games are played to completion unless weather conditions cause suspension or postponement.
August 2026 Home Schedule
vs Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
August 3, 2026 (Mon) — 18:00 first pitch — Tokyo Dome
August 5, 2026 (Wed) — 18:00 first pitch
August 6, 2026 (Thu) — 18:00 first pitch
vs Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
August 14, 2026 (Fri) — 18:00 first pitch
August 15, 2026 (Sat) — 14:00 first pitch
August 16, 2026 (Sun) — 13:00 first pitch
vs Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
August 25, 2026 (Tue) — 18:00 first pitch
August 26, 2026 (Wed) — 18:00 first pitch
August 27, 2026 (Thu) — 18:00 first pitch
vs Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
August 28, 2026 (Fri) — 18:00 first pitch
August 29, 2026 (Sat) — 18:00 first pitch
August 30, 2026 (Sun) — 14:00 first pitch
September 2026 Home Schedule
vs Chiba Lotte Marines
September 4, 2026 (Fri) — 18:00 first pitch
September 5, 2026 (Sat) — 14:00 first pitch
September 6, 2026 (Sun) — 13:00 first pitch
vs Saitama Seibu Lions
September 8, 2026 (Tue) — 18:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
September 9, 2026 (Wed) — 18:00 first pitch — Hotto Motto Field Kobe
September 10, 2026 (Thu) — 18:00 first pitch — Hotto Motto Field Kobe
vs Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
September 12, 2026 (Sat) — 14:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
vs Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
September 15, 2026 (Tue) — 18:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
September 16, 2026 (Wed) — 18:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
September 17, 2026 (Thu) — 18:00 first pitch — Kyocera Dome Osaka
Gates typically open approximately 60–90 minutes before first pitch.
Games are played to completion unless weather conditions cause suspension or postponement.
TICKETS
Tickets are sold through the official Orix Buffaloes ticket site and authorized platforms.
Official Orix Buffaloes ticket site: https://ticket.buffaloes.co.jp/
Ticket Pia: https://t.pia.jp/
Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/sports/baseball/
e+: https://eplus.jp/sf/sports/baseball
Tickets are available at convenience stores via in-store terminals:
Lawson (Loppi), 7-Eleven (Multi Copy), FamilyMart (FamiPort).
All seats are reserved unless otherwise noted. Seating categories include outfield, infield reserved, and premium seating options depending on the game.
Kyocera Dome games often have broader availability compared to Koshien, but popular matchups and weekends can sell out.
Advance purchase is recommended for infield seating and high-demand games.
THE EXPERIENCE
A Buffaloes game at Hotto Motto Field Kobe offers a very different atmosphere from the club’s regular home games at Kyocera Dome Osaka, combining professional baseball with the charm of one of Japan’s most beloved outdoor ballparks.
• Watch Pacific League baseball in an open-air stadium surrounded by the greenery of Kobe Sports Park.
• Experience the historic home of the Orix BlueWave and one of the most significant venues in franchise history.
• Enjoy closer views of the action thanks to the stadium’s intimate layout and excellent sightlines.
• Join passionate Buffaloes supporters as coordinated chants and songs echo throughout the ballpark.
• Take in a game-day atmosphere that blends modern NPB competition with the traditions of a classic Japanese baseball stadium.
Whether you’re a dedicated baseball fan or simply looking for a uniquely Kansai sporting experience, Buffaloes games in Kobe offer a memorable combination of history, atmosphere, and top-level professional baseball.
INFO & TIPS
INFO & TIPS
• Hotto Motto Field Kobe hosts only a limited number of Buffaloes home games each season, making Kobe dates some of the most sought-after games on the club’s schedule.
• Summer afternoon games can be hot and humid. Hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water are recommended, particularly for seats exposed to direct sunlight.
• Unlike Kyocera Dome Osaka, games at Hotto Motto Field Kobe are subject to weather conditions and may be delayed or postponed in the event of severe rain or storms.
• Stadium gates typically open well before first pitch, giving fans time to explore the ballpark, purchase merchandise, and enjoy concessions before the game begins.
• The cheering sections in the outfield are the most energetic areas of the stadium. Visitors looking for a quieter experience may prefer infield reserved seating.
• Team merchandise, food stands, and limited-edition game-day items are available throughout the stadium, with some Kobe games featuring special promotions and commemorative goods.
Whether you come for the baseball, the BlueWave history, or simply the experience of spending an evening at one of Japan’s most beloved outdoor ballparks, Buffaloes games in Kobe offer a memorable alternative to the club’s regular home dates in Osaka.
