People line up outside a New Balance Harajuku to purchase special edition Shohei Ohtani shoes early Saturday morning. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers have transformed into Japan’s MLB team after signing Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki the last two seasons. All the glitz of the Dodger’s Hollywood roster came to Tokyo, marking a second straight year the Dodgers have opened their season in Asia.
Times staff photographer Robert Gauthier offers a glimpse of what the Dodgers’ Tokyo trip has looked like, where the city flowed with Dodger blue.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Thousands gather in Haneda Airport and the Tokyo Dome to get a glimpse of Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Electronic billboard spanning nearly a city block features advertising starring Ohtani near the Tokyo Dome.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
MLB Fan Fest allows fans to pose for photos with cardboard cutouts of their favorite players.
Dodgers fans try on caps at the official MLB Tokyo Series 2025 souvenir store. The omnipresent Shohei Ohtani is projected on billboards throughout central Tokyo. A security officer guards the entrance to the Tokyo Dome field as workouts begin for The LA Dodgers. People view a pop up Shohei Ohtani museum at the New Balance Harajuku store early Saturday morning.
Miguel Rojas takes a selfie with the members of J-Pop ttrio MiSaMo who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Miguel Rojas takes a selfie with the members of J-Pop trio MiSaMo, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Tokyo Dome grounds crews apply the finishing touches to home plate.
Tokyo Dome grounds crews apply the finishing touches to home plate before the Dodgers play an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Fans holding signs for Ohtani arrive early to get a glimpse of the superstar.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Koki Yamaguch corrals his boys, Hataka, 3, and Kyoji, 1, as they scurry around the Tokyo Dome.
Fans along the third base line crane to take photos of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani as vigilant ushers wearing batting helmets look on. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Fans along the third base line crane to take photos of Ohtani as vigilant ushers wearing batting helmets look on.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Ohtani is introduced, surrounded by Pikachus.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
A food vendor walks the stadium during the first game of the season at the Tokyo Dome.
A young pitcher prepares to throw a poem on ball during opening ceremonies at the MLB Tokyo Series 2025, in the Tokyo Dome.
A young pitcher prepares to throw a pitch during opening ceremonies.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
