(Hiroshima Civic Stadium)
- Home of The Carp -
| Stadium Name | Hiroshima Shimin Kyujo
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| Location | 5-25 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima
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| Opened | July, 1957
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| Capacity | 32,000
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| Dimensions | LF300, LC360, CF380, RC360, RF300
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| Surface | Infield:Dirt, Outfield:Grass
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| Club | Hiroshima Toyo Carp
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| League | Central League
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Ticket prices
(Japanese Yen) | SS Reserved 4,000; S Reserved 3,500; A Reserved 3,200; B Reserved 2,500; Outfield Rserved 2,000; General Admission 2,000 adults, 800 children; Bleachers 1,500 adults, 700 children
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| Getting there | 20 minuites walk from JR Hiroshima Station; 5 minuits walk from Hiroshima Bus Cenetr; 1minuites walk from Genbaku Dome-mae streetcar stop.
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Standing Across From "The Dome"
Hiroshima Shimin Kyujo (Hiroshima Civic Stadium) was opend in 1957. A construction was financialy supported by large donations by people and local industries in Hiroshima. City of Hiroshima spent only $15 for building this stadium.
At almost every ballpark in Japan, you see noisy and rowdy "Ouendan", supporters at outfield bleachers. They perform trumpets and drums, waving huge flags and chanting in unison. This style of cheering their baseball team is said to be originated in Hiroshima. Also you would be impressed to find Carp fans being so tough that they keep standing and sitting alternatively, shouting Carp players' name without a break during the bottom of each inning.
Facilities of the stadium might be the poorest among pro-use ballparks in Japan, however it provides one of the greatest views with Chugoku Mountains. There is a Samurai-era's style castle, nicknamed Carp Castle, beyond the right stand. The club was named after this historical pretty castle.
The ballpark is located in downtown area. Across the street there is the UNESCO World Heritage "A-Bomb Dome", which stood near the hypocenter of the first atomic bombing in human history. I strongly recommend that you would visit Peace Memorial Museum before going to the ballpark.
Infield of Hiroshima Kyujo is dirt. I have never seen such kind of stadium in US, still it's common in Japan. Recently they are looking for a new ballpark with full natural grass field somewhere in Hiroshima downtown.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
The highlight of Carp history is the last game of 1979 Japan Series. At the bottom of nineth with Hiroshima leading 4 to 3, no out and bases loaded. Carp closer Enatsu made incredible 21 pitches and gave no run, then they won the first Japan Series Championship.
Infielder "the Iron Man" Sachio Kinugasa never missed a game during whole his 17 years career with "Aka-heru", red helmet in English, 1970-1987. 2,215 consecutive games stood as a world record until Cal Ripken surpassed it in 1996.
In 1990, Carp established "Hiroshima Toyo Carp Academy of Baseball" in Dominican Republic, which has deliverd some talented atheletes. A 19 year-old second baseman from this baseball camp played only nine games for Hiroshima in 1997. He batted .118, getting two hits in 17 appearances. I was really surprised that this wiry 6-1, 180-pounder guy, Alfonso Soliano, appeared in the 2000 Fall Classic as a Yankee.
| Franchise Established | November 28, 1949
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| Club Changes | Hiroshima Carp (1950-1967), Hiroshima Toyo Carp (1968- )
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| League Titles | '75, '79, '80, '84, '86, '91
(Years in bald indicate Japan Series Champions)
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| 2007 Attendance | 1,129,061 (Ave. 15,681), 6th in CL
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| Team Song | "Sore Ike Carp" (Let's Go! Carp)
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| Parent Company | None
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Ballpark Rating
2 riceballs
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All Photos Copyright (C) 1998-2008 Takeshi Kubota. All rights reserved.
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