Let's Road Trip Cubs 2025: Trip #1 - It's Tokyo Time!

The Cubs kicked off the "opener in Tokyo" concept in 2000 in a one-game event against the New York Mets. Sammy Sosa and the Cubs took that game 5-3, but the experience really won't translate to the 2025 iteration. Most of the current rosters were in kindergarten, diapers, or not even born yet in 2000. Since that 2000 Cubs squad ended up finishing last in the NL Central, this history lesson also reminds Cubs fans to enjoy the journey and the uniqueness of the event, but to not overstate the results a week before the regular season "really" kicks off.

Los Angeles Dodgers - March 18-19
Tokyo Dome - Capacity 45,600
MLB Opener Special Event!

The 2025 iteration welcomes Cubs players Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki back to the country that saw their careers blossom, and the event itself also involves two exhibition games each against the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants on March 15th and 16th respectively. The Dodgers will also participate in the exhibition games, before the main events on March 18th and 19th. 

Cubs fans should keep in touch with their season ticket representatives (if applicable) in order to inquire about ticket purchase options if you have the ability to make this once-in-a-lifetime (or every five years depending on your cash flow) baseball road trip.

The Dodgers have been a part of an international series to open the MLB season every year since Shohei Ohtani has worn the jersey. Granted that was just 2024 and now 2025, but it should be noted that most of the Dodgers roster has first-hand experience of what this epic trip requires after splitting a two-game series with the Padres in Seoul, South Korea last March. If you want to take a deep dive down the International Opening Day history, here's the MLB's official report. I'll summarize it thusly: There really isn't a rhyme or reason to how the games will go, and whether or not it kick-starts a season upwards or downwards. In that sense, playing these games in Tokyo will be just like if they were the road games at Dodger Stadium that they will be replacing on the schedule. The difference, however, is the timeline of roster decisions and early glimpses at player utilization and pitching plans that a mid-March opener affords a fanbase.

What's there to see and to experience for the intrepid Cubs traveler in Tokyo, Japan? Everything! You like nature? How about Mount Fuji and deep sea fishing and unique hikes and excursions in the gardens and surrounding areas? You like food? Sushi is to Tokyo what the deep dish is to Chicago. From the sights and sounds of one of the world's largest cities, to the beauty and majesty of centuries of heritage and history, Tokyo should be on ever traveler's bucket list.

The Tokyo Dome has been in use since 1988, and seats around 45,600 for baseball. The aforementioned Giants call it home, and its used to hosting larger international events such as the World Baseball Classic. The stadium itself includes its own mixed-use entertainment "city" or district surrounding the stadium, complete with amusement park and shops/spa complex. Much like the newer US ballparks in Atlanta and Arlington, this district allows for revenue to flow in from multiple days and directions besides just ticket sales to the games. For fans attending the game, it can be seen as awesome additions or frustrating distractions, depending upon your preferences.

After these two games, the Cubs will travel back to their Spring Training Sloan Park complex to complete the final week of preseason games. roughly 6,000 miles from the middle of the USA to Tokyo and back again, all for two games of center-stage spotlight. Will the epic road trip be worth it? Or will the Cubs have wasted valuable energy just to come back empty-handed thanks to the defending champs?

How do you think the Tokyo Series is going to go Cubs fans? Anyone going to make the trip?!?