Since moving to Washington, D.C., I’d always wanted to see Shohei Ohtani play live — and finally, I made my Major League Baseball debut at Nationals Park!
I attended the game on April 7, 2025, when the Washington Nationals faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With the open-air stadium, the Washington sky overhead, and a cold beer in hand, it was a truly American baseball experience. To help first-timers enjoy the game as much as I did, I’ll share everything from how to get there and buy tickets to the stadium atmosphere and food — all based on my own visit!
What is Nationals Park like?
▶Basic Information about the Stadium
Nationals Park is the home stadium of the Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Washington, D.C. Opened in 2008, it is a relatively new ballpark known for its clean, modern, and open design.
How to Get There / Access
In short: Taking the train is the best way to get there!
If You’re Driving
If you plan to drive to Nationals Park, it’s safest to reserve a parking spot along with your game ticket. There are several parking garages around the stadium, with prices and distances varying by location.
The closest is Garage C, right next to the stadium, costing about $53, while the farthest, Garage W, is around $25. (Prices may change depending on the game day.)
Some of the farther lots are about a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Also, keep in mind that after the game, parking lots can get extremely crowded—I’ve even heard of people being stuck waiting over an hour to exit.
I considered looking for cheaper parking on my own, but reviews on Google Maps for unofficial lots near the stadium were mostly negative, with comments about overcharging and safety concerns. So, even if it costs a bit more, I recommend sticking with the official parking garages for peace of mind.
Getting There by Train
The closest station to Nationals Park is the Navy Yard–Ballpark station on the Metro’s Green Line. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the stadium.
The route is easy to follow, and even first-timers shouldn’t have any trouble finding their way. When you exit the station, you’ll already see many fans in their team jerseys, which adds to the exciting game-day atmosphere.
We chose to take the train to avoid the heavy traffic and crowded parking lots around the stadium. While the trains were a bit crowded before and after the game, it was nothing that a Japanese commuter used to Tokyo’s rush hour would find difficult.
Because the station gets busy around game time, we recommend purchasing and charging a SmartTrip card in advance. For more information on how to use public transit around Washington, D.C., please see the article below.
The trip was so comfortable that I plan to keep taking the train whenever I visit Nationals Park in the future!
Advantages of Taking the Train
- No stress from traffic jams or crowded parking lots
- Easy access with a short walk from the station to the stadium
- Smooth and hassle-free trip home after the game
How to Buy MLB Tickets
We purchased our tickets through the official MLB website. You can select your desired game under “Single Game Tickets” and choose your seats using a 3D seating map that lets you preview the view from each section.
After payment, you’ll receive mobile tickets via email or through the MLB app, so there’s no need to print anything. The process is very straightforward, making it easy even for first-time buyers!
We chose seats right above the dugout, directly behind the players’ bench. Each seat cost around $200, which was a bit pricey—but seats just a few rows back were about $50 cheaper, and we debated for a while.
In the end, we decided to splurge because this was a rare opportunity to see Shohei Ohtani play live—something we didn’t want to miss!
While it’s true that ticket prices can sometimes drop closer to game day or on resale platforms like SeatGeek or StubHub, for first-time visitors, we highly recommend purchasing directly from the official site.
🔰 I recommend buying your tickets from the official MLB website, especially if it’s your first time attending a game.
Ballpark Food & Must-Visit Spots
Once you arrive at Nationals Park, it’s not just about watching the game—there’s so much more to enjoy! The stadium is full of classic American eats and fun spots that make the experience even more memorable.
In this section, I’ll share some of the food I actually tried and a few places around the park that I personally recommend checking out. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been before, these are must-visit spots to enhance your ballpark experience!
🌭Food
When it comes to classic ballpark eats at Nationals Park, you just can’t go wrong with a hot dog—it’s a must-try!
Before our visit, I saw tons of people online saying “Start with a hot dog!” so of course, we had to give it a try.
We headed to a popular spot called “Haute DOGS & Fries” located near Section 105. I ordered a classic-style hot dog, and it did not disappoint—crispy sausage, soft bun, and the aroma of mustard made it absolutely irresistible!
We also picked up some popcorn from one of the concession stands! It came in a paper box decorated with a baseball design, and the popcorn was served directly in it—no bag inside. It felt so American in the best way possible (haha)!
Nationals fans are affectionately called the “Nats,” and maybe because of that, I noticed something fun—vendors were walking around the stands selling nuts (peanuts)!
What really stood out was how, when someone sitting far away bought a bag, the vendor would toss the peanuts to them! It was such a classic, all-American moment that really stuck with me.
⚾Team Store
The team stores inside Nationals Park are packed with all kinds of Nats merchandise—from classic T-shirts, caps, and keychains to limited-time seasonal goods and special player collaboration items.
If you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll definitely be tempted to take home at least one souvenir. We ended up buying a cap and a knit hat as keepsakes!
By the way, there are several team stores inside the stadium, and each one carries slightly different items. We made our purchase at the first shop we saw, but later stumbled upon a much bigger store with a wider selection… and honestly, we kind of regretted not waiting. So if you can, check out a few stores before deciding—it’s worth the extra steps!
My Impressions of the Game & the Atmosphere
Watching a game at Nationals Park was a totally new experience for me—it felt quite different from watching baseball in Japan, and in a good way!
What surprised me the most was how fast-paced the game was. With the pitch clock now in place in the MLB, everything moved along quickly and smoothly, which kept things exciting.
Another thing that stood out was the atmosphere. Even the security staff seemed like fans—cheering when runs were scored and casually chatting with people nearby. That relaxed, friendly vibe felt very American.
And of course, seeing Shohei Ohtani up close was unforgettable! He was just one hit away from hitting for the cycle, and during his last at-bat, the whole stadium was buzzing with excitement—no matter which team people were cheering for. It was such a special moment to witness in person!
Tips for Enjoying the Game & What to Bring
Entry Time
At Nationals Park, the gates typically open about 75 to 80 minutes before the first pitch. Unlike many ballparks in Japan where you can enter much earlier, entry here is more limited—so it’s something to keep in mind when planning your arrival.
Unfortunately, you won’t get to see much of the teams’ pre-game practice, unlike in Japanese stadiums. Most warm-ups are either already finished or happen out of sight before gates open, so it’s best not to expect a full batting practice viewing.
| First Pitch | Gate Open |
|---|---|
| 11:05am | 09:45am （80min before） |
| 12:05pm | 10:45am （80min before） |
| 01:05pm | 11:45am （80min before） |
| 01:35pm | 12:15pm （80min before） |
| 03:05pm | 01:45pm （80min before） |
| 04:05pm | 02:45pm （80min before） |
| 06:45pm | 05:30pm （75min before） |
Official website：https://www.mlb.com/nationals/ballpark/information/gate-opening-times
What You Can Bring
At Nationals Park and many other stadiums in the U.S., there are strict rules about what bags and items you can bring inside. Unlike in Japan, where you might casually carry a bag into the stadium, here you could be stopped at the entrance if your bag doesn’t meet the rules.
Especially if it’s your first time visiting, we strongly recommend checking the official stadium guidelines beforehand to avoid any trouble at the gate!\
▶What You Can Bring
- Clear Bag
I used to think clear bags were just a fashion trend because I saw many people carrying them around town. But this time I learned they’re actually required for security reasons (haha). - Unopened bottled drinks (one per person)
You can bring one unopened, store-bought bottled drink like water, up to 20oz (about 600ml).
▶What You Cannot Bring
- Backpacks or tote bags that are not clear
- Alcohol or cans
- Food
Please note that rules can change, so always check the official stadium website for the latest information before your visit.
Summary
I was surprised to see so many Japanese people around the Washington DC area, which is not very common. It really showed me how popular Shohei Ohtani is.
I hope this article will be helpful for those planning to watch Major League Baseball games in the US.
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