In Toyama, Japan, bar owner Jun Mizuno adjusted his establishment's hours to accommodate fans eager to watch Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ key player, participate in the World Series. Opening doors at 8 a.m. became the norm as enthusiastic patrons gathered for the games, turning the event into a communal celebration over whiskey highballs and lemon soju sodas.
On the morning of Game 5, excitement filled Mizuno’s bar as customers cheered Ohtani, who helped lead the Dodgers to a thrilling 7-6 victory against the New York Yankees. The phrase “the entire country is thrilled” rang true as Ohtani’s banner proudly adorned the entrance of the backlit bar.
While baseball has long enjoyed a strong following in Japan, Ohtani’s impact alongside his Japanese teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, brought unprecedented attention to the World Series. Recent statistics highlighted this phenomenon: approximately 15.2 million viewers in Japan tuned in for the first two games, surpassing the 14.5 million viewers in the United States.
Timing played a crucial role, as the games aired early in Japan, allowing fans to enjoy the matchups conveniently over breakfast or even during their workdays. Responding to this, Mizuno’s bar offered a delightful breakfast set featuring eggs, bacon, cheese toast, and black coffee, ensuring fans could relish both the games and their morning meal.
This surge of interest solidifies the universal language of sports, with Ohtani inspiring admiration and support not only in Japan but across the globe.
On the morning of Game 5, excitement filled Mizuno’s bar as customers cheered Ohtani, who helped lead the Dodgers to a thrilling 7-6 victory against the New York Yankees. The phrase “the entire country is thrilled” rang true as Ohtani’s banner proudly adorned the entrance of the backlit bar.
While baseball has long enjoyed a strong following in Japan, Ohtani’s impact alongside his Japanese teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, brought unprecedented attention to the World Series. Recent statistics highlighted this phenomenon: approximately 15.2 million viewers in Japan tuned in for the first two games, surpassing the 14.5 million viewers in the United States.
Timing played a crucial role, as the games aired early in Japan, allowing fans to enjoy the matchups conveniently over breakfast or even during their workdays. Responding to this, Mizuno’s bar offered a delightful breakfast set featuring eggs, bacon, cheese toast, and black coffee, ensuring fans could relish both the games and their morning meal.
This surge of interest solidifies the universal language of sports, with Ohtani inspiring admiration and support not only in Japan but across the globe.
