Japanese Baseball Gifts

Japanese baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, with high school tournaments of the game almost as popular as the professional league games. The Japanese began playing baseball in the late 19th century, although the game didn't become nationally popular until after World War II. Giving Japanese baseball gifts is a surefire way to bring a smile to the face of a Japanese baseball fan.

  1. Baseball Happi Coats

    • A "happi" coat is a traditional Japanese garment, a kimono that's cropped to about mid-thigh length. Usually worn for Japanese festivals and celebrations, the happi coat decked out in Japanese baseball logos is a one-of-a-kind Japanese baseball gift that will help an American fan stand out from the crowd. Happi coats are available featuring the names and numbers of Japanese baseball players who are on American teams.

    Japanese Baseball Caps

    • Just like in America, the traditional Japanese baseball team uniform includes the basic cap. Give a baseball cap with the recipient's favorite Japanese baseball team logo as a gift. The baseball cap goes well with Japanese baseball team jerseys, T-shirts or "happi" coats or makes an excellent standalone gift that costs less than a shirt or coat.

    Souvenir Baseball Gloves

    • Souvenir Japanese baseball gloves are actually hand-warming gloves, not catcher's mitts, as in the U.S. When gloves feature the logo of a Japanese baseball team, such as the Hanshin Tigers, they're suitable for the Japanese baseball fan who spends a lot of time outdoors.

    Japanese Baseball Cards

    • A classic gift is the baseball card, featuring an image of a Japanese player and his stats. Japanese baseball cards suit the Japanese baseball fan, even if he can't read the Japanese language on the card. If the card has an official autograph, the gift is even more of a treasure. Modern cards are available, but cards featuring older teams and players are rarer and thus. more expensive.

    Mizuno Glove or Bat

    • If the recipient likes to play baseball as much as he likes to watch it, give him a Mizuno glove or bat as a gift. Rihachi Mizuno founded the Mizuno Company in 1906. Although the company manufactures sports equipment for a number of games, the baseball gloves and bats garner international attention. More than 200 professional league players use Mizuno gloves, according to Baseball Catchers Gloves.com.