NPB Teams in Japan: All 12 Japanese Baseball Teams

Quick facts

• League: Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
• Teams: 12 total (6 Central League, 6 Pacific League)
• Two-league system: Central and Pacific are both top-tier leagues. They play separate regular-season schedules and meet in the Japan Series.
• Central League: Often viewed as “classic” NPB—long-established clubs, big-city rivalries, and strong traditional fan culture.
• Pacific League: Known for innovation and modern stadium experiences, with many teams emphasizing entertainment and ballpark upgrades.
• Best for first-time visitors: Choose a team near your base city (Tokyo / Osaka / Fukuoka, etc.) to keep travel simple.
• English info: NPB provides English team pages for every club—reliable for official links, basic team info, and stats.

2025 season standings

These are the final 2025 regular-season standings (G, W–L–T, winning percentage, games behind). If you want this page to stay evergreen, update this section once per year.

Central League (2025)

1. Hanshin Tigers — 143 games, 85–54–4 (.612), GB: —
2. Yokohama DeNA BayStars — 143 games, 71–66–6 (.518), GB: 13.0
3. Yomiuri Giants — 143 games, 70–69–4 (.504), GB: 15.0
4. Chunichi Dragons — 143 games, 63–78–2 (.447), GB: 23.0
5. Hiroshima Toyo Carp — 143 games, 59–79–5 (.428), GB: 25.5
6. Tokyo Yakult Swallows — 143 games, 57–79–7 (.419), GB: 26.5

Pacific League (2025)

1. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks — 143 games, 87–52–4 (.626), GB: —
2. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters — 143 games, 83–57–3 (.593), GB: 4.5
3. ORIX Buffaloes — 143 games, 74–66–3 (.529), GB: 13.5
4. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles — 143 games, 67–74–2 (.475), GB: 21.0
5. Saitama Seibu Lions — 143 games, 63–77–3 (.450), GB: 24.5
6. Chiba Lotte Marines — 143 games, 56–84–3 (.400), GB: 31.5

For official updates and stats, see the links in Official resources.

Pick a team by city

The easiest way to attend an NPB game is to start with your base city, then choose a nearby team. Tap a team name below to jump to its description.

• Tokyo: Giants, Swallows (easy day trips: BayStars, Marines, Lions)
• Osaka / Kansai: Tigers, Buffaloes
• Nagoya: Dragons
• Hiroshima: Carp
• Fukuoka: Hawks
• Sendai / Tohoku: Eagles
• Hokkaido: Fighters

Central League teams

• Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo) — Japan’s best-known legacy club, with a long history in the capital and a major national fan base.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Hanshin Tigers (Hyogo/Osaka area) — Famous for one of the most passionate fan cultures in Japan, anchored by historic Koshien Stadium.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Tokyo) — A central-Tokyo team known for lively cheering and an intimate city-ballpark atmosphere at Jingu.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Chunichi Dragons (Nagoya) — A proud regional club representing Nagoya and central Japan, with a strong local identity.
  NPB team page (EN)
• Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Hiroshima) — Deeply tied to the city, known for loyal fans and a community-first feel.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Yokohama DeNA BayStars (Yokohama) — A waterfront-city team with an energetic game-day vibe and easy access from Tokyo.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)

Pacific League teams

• Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Fukuoka) — One of the most successful modern-era clubs, with a big-game atmosphere in Fukuoka.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Hokkaido/Sapporo area) — A northern team known for a fresh, modern baseball-park experience.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• ORIX Buffaloes (Osaka) — An Osaka-area club with a strong recent-era presence and a convenient dome home base.
  NPB team page (EN)
• Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Sendai/Tohoku) — Tohoku’s flagship pro team, offering a friendly ballpark experience in Sendai.
  Official site (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Saitama Seibu Lions (Saitama/Tokyo area) — A longtime Tokyo-area club, popular for convenient day trips from central Tokyo.
  Official page (EN) / NPB team page (EN)
• Chiba Lotte Marines (Chiba/Tokyo area) — Famous for highly synchronized cheering that can feel like a “chant festival” in the stands.
  NPB team page (EN)

How to use this list

• Pick your base city: Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Sapporo, or Sendai are easy entry points.
• Choose the closest team: you’ll reduce transit time and have more flexibility for game dates.
• Use official pages: start with the NPB English team pages for reliable links and basic information.

If you already have your hub page, add it here for a smooth funnel:

Trivia

• NPB cheering is often organized by designated sections—expect coordinated songs, chants, and banners.
• Many fans support only their team’s cheering section, creating a vivid “two-color” stadium atmosphere.
• Beer vendors walking through the stands with keg backpacks are part of the classic NPB ballpark experience.

FAQ

How many teams are in NPB?

There are 12 teams total: 6 in the Central League and 6 in the Pacific League.

Which teams are easiest for tourists in Tokyo?

Tokyo has the Giants and Swallows, and nearby you’ll also find the BayStars (Yokohama), Marines (Chiba), and Lions (Saitama)—all accessible by train.

Where should I start if I want official info in English?

Use the NPB English team pages. They’re consistent and point you to official channels.

Related guides

• Baseball stadiums in Japan (coming soon)
• Buying NPB tickets (coming soon)
• Baseball etiquette in Japan (coming soon)

Official resources

• Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) — English portal
• NPB — Teams (EN)
• NPB BIS — 2025 Standings (EN)
• NPB BIS — English stats index