Orix Buffaloes and Baseball in Osaka

As part of our guide for visitors to Osaka City, we provide details about the Orix Buffaloes, one of two baseball teams in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka Buffaloes Baseball Team

— Orix Buffaloes Baseball Team in Japan
— The Orix Buffaloes are One of Two Baseball Teams in Osaka, Japan
— Orix Buffaloes Baseball Season
— Orix Buffaloes Kyocera Dome Baseball Stadium in Osaka
— How Much Does it Cost to Watch a Orix Buffaloes Baseball Game?
— Orix Buffaloes’ Main Mascot

Orix Buffaloes Baseball Team in Japan

The Orix Buffaloes (オリックス・バファローズ, Orikkusu Bafarozu) are a Nippon Professional Baseball team playing in the Pacific League, under ownership by Orix (a financial services company founded in Osaka). The team was formerly called the BlueWave, and in 2005 changed their name to the Buffaloes.

The Orix Buffaloes are a team that has produced players that have gone on to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, including Ichiro Suzuki (who played for the Seattle Mariners).

The Buffaloes split home games between Kyocera Dome in Nishi-ku, Osaka, and Kobe Sports Park Baseball Stadium in Kobe City. When the Hanshin Tigers are playing at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, the Buffaloes play at Kobe Sports Park Baseball Stadium.

The Orix Buffaloes are One of Two Baseball Teams in Osaka, Japan

The Buffaloes play home games in both Osaka and Kobe, so you can think of them as a Kansai team (Kansai is the region that includes both Osaka prefecture and Hyogo prefecture).

There is another professional baseball team in Osaka and Hyogo, called Hanshin Tigers, playing in the Central League. It seems true that the Hanshin Tigers are more popular than the Buffaloes.

Orix Buffaloes Baseball Season

The local baseball season in Osaka runs from the end of March to the end of September. For more information, there is a schedule of Orix Buffaloes’ baseball game on their website.

Orix Buffaloes Kyocera Dome Baseball Stadium in Osaka

The Kyocera Dome Osaka (official name: Osaka Dome) is a baseball stadium located in Osaka, Japan. Opened in 1997, the stadium is the home field of the Orix Buffaloes.

The Hanshin Tigers baseball team also use the stadium for their season openers and their home games in August, because their stadium, Koshien Stadium, is used for high school baseball tournaments during those periods.

In addition, the Kyocera Dome Osaka also hosts a variety of other cultural and entertainment live concert, events, exhibitions, trade shows, and even combat sports events.

Location and Nearest Station

Address: 3-2-1, Chiyozaki, Nishi-ku, Osaka
Website: https://www.kyoceradome-osaka.jp

From Dome Mae Station

There are two stations named Dome Mae Station; Hanshin Line Dome Mae Station and Osaka Metro Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line Dome Mae Chiyozaki Station. Both take are a four to five minute walk from the station to Kyocera Dome (use exit 1). There are some routes that go through the Aeon shopping mall or go around the mall.

From Taisho Station

There are two separate stations called Taisho Station; one for the Osaka JR Loop Line and another for the Osaka Metro Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line. From either station (they are side by side) to the stadium, it takes about ten minutes by walk. You will use the bridge to cross over the Shirinashi river. There are some nice bars and restaurants on south side of the river (an entertainment area called Taisho Tugboat); some people enjoy food and drinks before going to the Kyocera Dome (you can see the dome from Taisho Tugboat). There is a nice pizza restaurant called Pizzeria da Dots in the Tugboat area.

How Much Does it Cost to Watch a Orix Buffaloes Baseball Game?

The most expensive seat is 24,000 JPY, with more affordable seats for 500 – 16,000 JPY. There are also discount tickets for kids (junior high school students and elementary students), and tickers for kids that have not started elementary school yet are free.

To buy tickets for a Orix Buffaloes Baseball game, you can visit their official website to choose the date and pay the ticket fee.

Orix Buffaloes’ Main Mascot

There are two mascot characters for the Orix Buffaloes. The main character mascot is Buffalo Bull (バッファローブル, number #111), a male hybrid a buffalo and an oryx (also known as an antelope). Buffalo Bull has a sister named Buffalo Bell (#222).

For more information:
https://www.buffaloes.co.jp/entertainment/mascot/

See Also:

— Guide to shopping in Osaka
— List of Osaka Department Stores
— Shopping in the Shinsaibashi and Namba area of Chuo-Ku, Osaka
— Shopping in the Umeda/Osaka Station area of Kita-Ku, Osaka
— Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan
— Osaka Itami Airport in Osaka, Japan
— Shinkansen, Subway, Train Lines, and Monorail in Osaka, Japan
— The Most Popular Train Stations in Osaka, Japan
— Major Train Stations Along the JR Osaka Loop Line in Osaka, Japan
— Major Train Stations in the Osaka Metro Subway System
— Hanshin Tigers and Baseball in Osaka, Japan
— The Best Parks and Gardens in Osaka, Japan
— List of Museums in Osaka, Japan
— Language Schools in Osaka, Japan
— List of Public Baths and Onsen in Osaka, Japan
— Festivals in Osaka, Japan
— High-Speed Ferry Service “Bay Shuttle” to Kobe Airport
— Discount “All Day” Tickets for the Subway in Japan
— Guide to the Osaka Marathon, Japan
— List of Marathon Events in Osaka, Japan
— List of Annual Events in Osaka, Japan
— The neighborhoods in Osaka, Japan

And also:
— Nagoya’s Chunichi Dragons baseball team in Nagoya City, Japan
— Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters baseball team in Sapporo, Japan
— Olympic ski jump stadium in Sapporo, Japan