What is Hokkaido Ballpark F Village?

There may be many people who know that a new baseball stadium is being built, but don't know what it will be like! "Hokkaido Ballpark F Village" is the area that includes the new stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. It is scheduled to open in March 2023, the 20th anniversary of the Fighters' arrival in Hokkaido. Obayashi Corporation and HKS, Inc. are in charge of the design and construction, with the aim of creating a "co-creation space" that will not only be a place to watch baseball, but also a place that will revitalize the local community and contribute to society together with partners, fans, and local residents. This is where the Hokkaido Ballpark is being built.

What kind of facility is Hokkaido Ballpark F Village?

Let's take a look at the completed Hokkaido Ballpark F Village.

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First up will be Escon Field HOKKAIDO, where baseball will be played. This is a stadium specialized for baseball, and is a facility where both players and fans can enjoy baseball to the fullest. The new stadium, which was designed with attention to detail and took into account the opinions of the players, is the first stadium in Japan to have natural grass and a retractable roof. The south side is made entirely of glass to encourage the growth of the grass, giving it an outstanding sense of openness! In addition, the backstage areas such as the locker rooms used by the players have also been designed to be easy to use, taking into account feedback from those on the ground. This is a stadium that aims to combine player first and fan first, allowing fans to feel comfortable with all five senses.

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Fans will be able to enjoy baseball in a wider variety of ways than ever before. For example, they will be able to watch baseball from VIP rooms and lounge spaces. People in wheelchairs and small children will be able to enjoy the game without any worries.

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What's even more unique is that you can watch the game from the hot spring facilities! The four-story building on the left side, "TOWER11," will be open all year round and will house hot spring facilities and accommodation facilities. It looks like it will be a lot of fun to get along with people you've never met before and enjoy watching the game together!

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In addition, there are two field-level seats on the first and third base sides, allowing you to enjoy baseball in a very realistic atmosphere! This is a stadium that will satisfy even the most dedicated fans.

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In addition, with a strong desire to "not lose when it comes to stadium food," the stadium will deliver unprecedented food entertainment and excitement through food. It's really exciting to be able to enjoy dishes made with Hokkaido and seasonal ingredients while watching baseball! Next, we will introduce the surrounding areas of the new stadium, which will be gradually expanded from 2023 onwards. Outside the stadium, there will be many facilities planned that will allow people to enjoy the place regardless of whether there is a game or not. First, there is the kids' area, which is equipped with a small field and lots of play equipment, allowing children to play freely to their heart's content.

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And outdoor accommodation such as cottages! On game days, you can enjoy watching the game at the stadium with a drink in hand, and then stay in the cottage after the game. The next day, you can also make an exciting plan to drive around the fun spots in Kitahiroshima City. There is no doubt that it will become a leisure spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. S-Con Field HOKKAIDO is scheduled to open in March 2023. As of now (November 2021), it is 48% complete!

This large building, embodying our grand dreams, is steadily nearing completion, and I can't contain my excitement. Furthermore, F Village is being created through collaborative creation with various partners, and will continue to grow and evolve after its opening, aiming to become a facility that continues to excite customers by gradually adding new areas, similar to Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan. When I imagine what it will be like 10 or 20 years from now, I can see an endlessly interesting future.

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Access to Hokkaido Ballpark F Village

Once Hokkaido Ballpark F Village is completed, I'm sure there are many people who want to go and watch a game! Let's check how to get there! As of March 2023, when Hokkaido Ballpark F Village opens, the nearest station will be Kitahiroshima Station. It takes about 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot from the station. The area around Kitahiroshima Station has been a bicycle and pedestrian-only road since 1997, called Elfin Road, so you can walk through the beautiful scenery and arrive at Hokkaido Ballpark in no time.

Photo courtesy of Kitahiroshima City

In addition, to coincide with the opening, a shuttle bus is scheduled to begin operating from the west exit of Kitahiroshima Station, and work is currently underway on the rotary at the west exit.

Photo courtesy of Kitahiroshima City

In the area around the west exit of the station, the Kitahiro Hometown-BASE 2021-2029 revitalization plan is underway, with the aim of creating a hometown for local residents, businesses, tourists, and everyone in the area. Following the construction of a rotary in 2023, a community center that everyone can use freely will be built in 2024. It will include a multi-purpose community center facility with a food market and a community space for sports, as well as a plaza and park.

Photo courtesy of Kitahiroshima City

In addition, a new station is scheduled to be built near Hokkaido Ballpark F Village in 2027, further improving access to the stadium. This is a highly anticipated area that is sure to become an even more interesting place for both the residents of Kitahiroshima and the fans who come to watch the games. Please keep an eye on the developments at Hokkaido Ballpark in the future!