Every baseball fan dreams of standing on the mound at Koshien. On Sunday, December 6, 2026, Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya, Hyogo) lets 60 people do it under the night lights at its “Night Mound Pitching Event,” a popular annual special experience not normally available. Applications open on Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday).
Your name announced, three pitches under the lights
The event runs in six sessions of about 60 minutes each, starting every 30 minutes from 17:30 to 20:00. Each session has 10 pitchers, 60 in total, chosen by lottery if there are more applicants.
You start with a game of catch in the third-base-side bullpen, with your companion as partner (staff will step in if you come alone or can’t play catch). Then you step onto the mound and throw three pitches. A stadium announcer calls your name as you go up, and your pitch speed is measured.
Companions can stand on the dirt of the field and watch. A professional photographer takes pictures of each pitcher, and photos can be bought later on a dedicated page (from ¥800 for a 2L print). You can bring your own glove and ball, or borrow them for free.
If the field is in poor condition, such as in rain, pitching from the mound may be cancelled and moved to the first-base-side bullpen or elsewhere. In that case there is no name announcement.
Koshien Museum and BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN included
The fee includes admission to the Koshien Museum (Koshien Rekishikan) and a one-activity ticket for BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN (choose toss batting or pitching). Both can be used until Sunday, January 31, 2027, so you can come back another day. The museum does not allow re-entry, so plan your time.
How to apply: Lawson Ticket, until November 15
Applications are online only, through Lawson Ticket, from 10:00 on Tuesday, November 3 (holiday) to 23:59 on Sunday, November 15. Free Lawson Web membership is required beforehand. You can choose several time slots. Results are available from around 15:00 on Friday, November 20. Payment is by credit card only and is charged when you win. Changes after applying, and cancellations or refunds after winning, are not possible.
Event details
- Date and time: Sunday, December 6, 2026; six sessions at 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00 (about 60 minutes each)
- Venue: Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya, Hyogo)
- Capacity: 10 pitchers per session, 60 in total (lottery if oversubscribed)
- Fee (tax included): pitcher ¥5,000, companion ¥2,500 (up to 4 companions, or none). System and ticketing fees are charged separately. Pitchers must be 4 or older; companions under 4 are free
- Apply: Lawson Ticket (Japanese) https://l-tike.com/koshienrekishikan-mp/ — 10:00 on Nov 3 (holiday) to 23:59 on Nov 15
- Results: from around 15:00 on Friday, November 20
- Ticket exchange: from 15:00 on Friday, November 20 until each session’s start
- Notes: wear clothes you can move in; there is no changing room. Dirt from the field cannot be taken home
- Koshien Museum: 10:00–17:00 (Nov–Feb; last entry 30 minutes before closing). Adults ¥900, high school students ¥700, children ¥500. Inquiries: +81-798-49-4509
- Website (Japanese): https://koshien-rekishikan.hanshin.co.jp/
