The Japanese E2 Series Shinkansen. Traveling up to 170 miles per hour and providing a comfort level far beyond any bus, car, or plane. Well plane that you and I can afford anyway. After about two hours on the train we arrived in Sendai, walked about 6 blocks to our hotel, The Holiday Inn, and then made our way down to what is officially known as "Kleenex Stadium Miyagi." Home of the Rakuten Eagles.
Pregame festivities include everything from kids playing catch in the outfield, cheerleaders running up and down the foul lines, and a giant stinky fish fry outside the ballpark. With the game underway, the entire stadium was chanting each players custom fight song which I've yet to fully comprehend...even when the American players are up to bat.
Throughout the game we had rain showers come and go, saw some good baseball, ate "interesting" ballpark food, and participated in the 7th inning stretch custom of releasing these red balloons following a Japanese equivalent of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
While the Eagles couldn't quite pull out a win in extra innings, we were both happy to be back in Sendai over Labor Day weekend and keeping with what seems to be our Ryan and Sandy standard for any trip...we enjoyed a solid downpour on the walk back to the hotel.
