Yokohama

Today we said "until the next time" to Osaka and boarded our train to Yokohama.   We arrived at the Yokohama station at 11AM and grabbed a taxi to the Hyatt Regency hotel.  Our rooms weren't ready (as expected) so we had them store our luggage while we went for some lunch.  Our tour guide for the afternoon was meeting us at 1:30 so we didn't want to venture too far.  We both found the same interesting restaurant.   When you're in Japan, why not try a German restaurant? 

The Hof Brau was only an eight minute walk from the hotel.  As we approached the entrance we saw a line of about 15 people so it met the Anthony Bourdain rule!!   We put our name in and about 30 minutes later we had a seat at the counter.   A very kind gentleman let us know when we were next and when they called our name. We quickly noticed the beer tap was a saxophone!!   

Even though this sounded like a German restaurant, the menu had some  unusual things.  We both ordered combo platters which featured something called "spa pizza" which was really spaghetti pie.   Spaghetti, cheese, shrimp, beef and green peppers in a sizzling skillet.  Sounded strangely odd and delicious at the same time.  And you could get different things with your "spa".  Angie got beef stew - more like a sauerbraten - and a salad. 

 I got a seared hamburger steak and a veal schnitzel.   All very good including the "spa".   

After lunch we headed back to the hotel and waited for our guide.  He was early and we headed to our afternoon excursion.  We were going to Yokohama Stadium to see the Yokohama Baystars play the Chunichi Dragons!!  It is a large stadium. The announced crowd was over 33K.  It also served as the baseball and softball stadium for the 2020 Olympic Games.  

Of course the game of baseball looks and plays the same no matter where you see it.  And you can easily follow it here without needing to understand Japanese.  What is very different is the fans and how they interact with the game.   There are dedicated sections in upper right and upper left field for the cheering sections for the home and visiting team respectively.   And by cheering section I mean a full band plus engaged fans who have special songs for each and every player.  Plus flags and banners.  Almost like a college football game in the United States.   They each stay relatively quiet when the opposing team is at bat.  

Our seats were about twenty rows from the first base sideline. Our guide was so helpful when we would ask questions about any differences between MLB and the Nippon League.  He said they generally follow the MLB rules but had not yet adopted the new pitch clock.  And they have instant replay.  Unlike most MLB games I have attended, the fans around us stayed in their seats almost the whole game. And there is no seventh inning stretch.  And beer is served until the very last out.  The beer vendors are all young women who run up and down the aisles with a backpack of beer. We tried the Baystars lager. It was almost like a pale ale with a hoppy flavor.

We saw a very offensive heavy game - at least for the Baystars.   They scored six runs in the first and then single runs in two other innings and handily beat the Dragons 8-0.   And when we got to the final out and the Baystars congratulated each other on the field, I thought that was the end.  We'd be off to the exits.  Not even close. When teams in Japan win at their home field, they have a victory celebration.  Almost everyone remained seated while the infield crew brought out a stage and arranged fireworks apparatus in the outfield.  What exactly was happening?   

They ended up having the three stars of the game come out to the stage for post game interviews. And then members of a 1998 team that won the championship came out in their old uniforms and were also interviewed.  And everyone in the stands is still seated.  That wrapped up and they took the stage away. But we weren't done. The cheerleaders for the team came out into the infield and danced their routine to a few rock songs.   All while fireworks are going off in the outfield.  It was wild!!  

Then players were headed into the locker rooms and were throwing baseballs into the crowd.  And then T-Shirt guns were shooting prizes into the stands.   And more fireworks!!   About 40 minutes after the game was officially "over", the victory party had come to its conclusion.  What a fun day!!  

Our guide led us back to our hotel through the largest Chinatown in all of Japan.  

Perhaps on another trip we'd spend more time there.  But we are only here for the night.  We got back to the hotel, retrieved our luggage and got settled in our room. We also had to take a self administered COVID test since Holland America is requiring it.  We were both negative and updated the results to VeriFly.  And we both now are officially "Ready To Sail"!!

We weren't super hungry but wanted "something" some went to the lobby bar and had a very good cheese plate and some cocktails.  We tried some of the Japanese gins including one that was smoked similar to a peated scotch.  All very good!!  

It was then time to call it a night.  Angie has some work in the morning. I'll find us some breakfast and bring it back to the room.  Checkout is at 11AM so we will head to the port at that time for boarding.  More of Japan (and South Korea) to come.