All 12 NPB clubs opened spring training on February 1, with camps split between Miyazaki and Okinawa. Six teams gathered in Miyazaki Prefecture and six in Okinawa, with welcome ceremonies and fan-service events held across the sites—truly a day that felt like “baseball spring is here.”
Below is a quick, high-level recap of Day 1—who started where, and what kind of early movement stood out. We’ve also included a camp-location list based on official information, so you can use it as a baseline for in-person visits or streaming checks this spring.
Miyazaki (6 teams): champions Hawks and a new-look Marines get moving
On the Miyazaki side, proven clubs gathered—last season’s Japan Series champions SoftBank, pitching-rich Orix, and the Yomiuri Giants among them. In Nichinan, Hiroshima and Seibu set up; in Miyakonojo, the Marines’ first team held camp there for the first time, turning multiple areas into lively training hubs.
(Camp-site structure is based on NPB official info and camp guides.)
At Ikime-no-Mori in Miyazaki City, SoftBank began its push toward a Japan Series repeat and a third straight league title. New players’ association leader Ryoya Kurihara said he wanted to make it “a camp that’s fun to watch,” showing energetic work in batting sessions even with some core players on separate programs.
The Giants opened at Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki, with the stands filled by fans. Under manager Shinnosuke Abe, key arms including Shosei Togo went through catch play and bullpen work, while Masahiro Tanaka also threw in the bullpen on Day 1 to signal smooth preparation.
Lotte launched its first-team Miyazaki camp at Koala’s March Stadium (Miyakonojo). First-round pick pitcher Gen Ishigaki threw a bullpen session right away and noted he finished with a “good feel,” as the club’s new managerial era began with a fresh atmosphere.
Hiroshima started at Tenpuku Ballpark in Nichinan, while Seibu began in the Nango area. For Seibu, competition is already heating up as the team looks at outfield reshaping and lineup reinforcement with new options in the mix.
Okinawa (6 teams): Tigers, BayStars, Fighters and more open in the south
In Okinawa, the lineup featured Hanshin (Ginoza), DeNA (Ginowan), Chunichi (Chatan), Yakult (Urasoe), Nippon-Ham (Nago), and Rakuten (Kin). Although light rain appeared at times on Day 1, large crowds still packed the ballparks, watching every detail of the players’ work.
Hanshin’s Teruaki Sato immediately drew attention, launching eight home runs in free batting on Day 1. With the slugger also expected to be in the WBC conversation, his form tweaks and overall camp trajectory are among the biggest storylines.
In Nago, the Fighters held a welcome ceremony out front, with manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo receiving bouquets—an upbeat opening to a camp aimed at a first league title in 10 years. Local favorites such as Kenta Uehara and Naomasa Kanemura also started with the top team, drawing loud support.
At Yakult’s Urasoe camp, new manager Takahiro Ikeyama shared direction in a full-team meeting, kicking off a reset focused on defensive improvement and rebuilding an aggressive running game. Rakuten (Kin), Chunichi (Chatan), and DeNA (Ginowan) also progressed through bullpen throwing and running-heavy menus—building base fitness while evaluating new pieces.
NPB spring camp locations (2026, first-team main sites)
Below is a first-team camp location list for spring 2026, compiled from NPB official information and camp guides (some clubs include secondary camps). Use it as a reference for travel plans and on-site viewing.
| Team | Camp site (main venue) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Yomiuri Giants | Hinata Sun Marine Stadium Miyazaki → Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha (secondary) | Miyazaki City, Miyazaki / Naha City, Okinawa |
| Hanshin Tigers | Ginoza Stadium | Ginoza Village, Okinawa |
| Yokohama DeNA BayStars | Ginowan Stadium | Ginowan City, Okinawa |
| Hiroshima Toyo Carp | Tenpuku Ballpark → Koza Shinkin Stadium (secondary) | Nichinan City, Miyazaki / Okinawa City, Okinawa |
| Tokyo Yakult Swallows | ANA BALL PARK Urasoe | Urasoe City, Okinawa |
| Chunichi Dragons | Agre Stadium Chatan | Chatan Town, Okinawa |
| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks | Ikime-no-Mori Sports Park (Ivy Stadium) | Miyazaki City, Miyazaki |
| Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | Enagic Stadium Nago | Nago City, Okinawa |
| Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | Kin Town Baseball Stadium | Kin Town, Okinawa |
| Saitama Seibu Lions | Nango Stadium (Nango Central Park Baseball Field) | Nango, Nichinan City, Miyazaki |
| Chiba Lotte Marines | Koala’s March Stadium → Nishizaki Athletic Park Baseball Field (secondary) | Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki / Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Orix Buffaloes | Kiyotake General Sports Park (SOKKEN Stadium) | Kiyotake, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki |
Relive Day 1 via official X and YouTube
If you can’t make it in person, the best alternative is official team X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. You can follow the atmosphere in Miyazaki and Okinawa—bullpen sessions, free batting, and more—in surprisingly fine detail through official posts and videos.
As an example, we’ve embedded a Yomiuri Giants official post that captures the Miyazaki camp feel, along with an official Day 1 camp video.
How to enjoy it: what Day 1 already reveals about this season’s themes
- Miyazaki group: For those who want to feel the “baseline standard” of perennial contenders like the champion Hawks, plus Giants and Orix
- Okinawa group: For those who want to see competition intensity up close—young talent mixed with established stars (Tigers, BayStars, Fighters, etc.)
- Farm/secondary camps: Great for “prospecting” future core players early (e.g., Lions, Marines) before they become household names
Spring camp Day 1 can look “light” on the surface, but it’s also when a club’s priorities and seasonal themes appear most honestly.
Who entered the bullpen? Which positions got extra defensive reps? Which players received the most coach time? When you start noticing those details, camp becomes a powerful “trailer” for the pennant race.
For the next month, Miyazaki and Okinawa will host this “Episode 0” of the season. Whether you’re there in person or tracking via streams, try watching with your own theme—and enjoy the heat of camp season.
