Jun Mizuno’s bar in Toyama, Japan, has adjusted its opening hours to accommodate fans celebrating Shohei Ohtani's inaugural season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The bar now opens at 8 a.m. for customers to enjoy whiskey highballs and lemon soju sodas while watching Ohtani compete.
On Thursday morning, Mizuno's bar, Otoko Bar Mizuno Sake Store, was filled with regulars who watched as Ohtani helped secure his first World Series victory, with the Dodgers defeating the Yankees 7-6 in Game 5. "The entire country is thrilled," Mizuno remarked, noting a large banner of Ohtani displayed outside the bar.
Ohtani’s participation in the World Series, alongside fellow Japanese player Yoshinobu Yamamoto, has heightened interest in baseball across Japan. An estimated 15.2 million viewers in Japan tuned in for each of the first two games of the series, surpassing the 14.5 million average in the United States, according to Major League Baseball.
The games started at 9 a.m. in Japan, allowing fans to watch during breakfast or work hours. Mizuno’s bar offered a special morning set featuring eggs, bacon, cheese toast, and coffee for patrons watching the games.
Despite undergoing elbow surgery and playing only as a designated hitter this season, Ohtani's presence has captivated fans. He struggled in the World Series, going 2-for-19 and failing to reach base in Game 5 while nursing a shoulder injury sustained in Game 2. Nevertheless, fan enthusiasm remained high.
"Ohtani sells," noted Jim Allen, a journalist covering Japanese baseball. He cited the extensive media coverage of Ohtani during the World Series, with his popularity significantly outpacing that of other news articles.
At the Tokyo headquarters of bedding company Nishikawa, which Ohtani endorses, about a hundred employees gathered to watch the final inning of Game 5. "He’s put together an unprecedented season, so everybody’s watching," said company spokeswoman Yuna Mori.
Japan's passion for baseball was previously evidenced when Ohtani led the national team to victory at the World Baseball Classic in Miami, where over 42 percent of Japanese households watched the game against the United States.
Major League Baseball has acknowledged Japan's enthusiasm, planning to open the 2025 season with a Dodgers versus Cubs game in Tokyo. This follows the Dodgers' recent season opener in Seoul, which attracted large crowds eager to see Ohtani play.
Japanese broadcasters are adapting to the interest in Ohtani; the creators of the popular anime “One Piece” delayed a season premiere to avoid competition with the World Series.
Ohtani, who made history as the first M.L.B. player to excel in both hitting and pitching since Babe Ruth, recently signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers. He also became the first player to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
His hometown, Oshu, has celebrated his achievements with World Series viewing parties, where many residents donned Dodgers apparel. Although exact television audience figures for the entire World Series are not yet confirmed, earlier reports indicated that viewership in Japan exceeded that of the national Japan Series occurring simultaneously.
“You wouldn’t know that the Japan Series is happening right now,” stated Jason Coskrey, a sports journalist. He noted that Ohtani's success has dominated media coverage, positioning him as a significant news figure.