Fukuoka PayPay Dome

Overview

Fukuoka PayPay Dome (formerly Fukuoka Dome) is Japan's first stadium with a retractable roof and home to the SoftBank Hawks baseball team. It also hosts major concerts and events. Watching a Hawks game here — with the fans' choreographed cheering and balloon releases — is a quintessential Fukuoka experience.

Highlights

• Hawks Game Day: Experience Japan's most passionate baseball fans with synchronized chants, trumpet bands, and the legendary 7th-inning balloon release.
• Dome Tours: Behind-the-scenes tours include dugouts, the press room, and walking on the field itself.
• Oh Sadaharu Museum: A museum inside the dome dedicated to Sadaharu Oh, the world home run king and former Hawks manager.

History

The dome opened in 1993 as the first covered stadium in Japan and cost ¥760 million. Its retractable roof takes 20 minutes to fully open. It was renamed PayPay Dome in 2020. The SoftBank Hawks (previously Daiei Hawks) have called it home since its opening and are one of Japan's most successful baseball franchises.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Book tickets early for weekend Hawks games — the 38,585-seat dome regularly sells out.
• Tip 2: Join the 7th-inning stretch balloon release — buy a balloon set (¥300) from vendors in the stands.
• Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours (full game).