Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run against the Yomiuri Giants during the third inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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WATCH: Shohei Ohtani sends Tokyo Dome into frenzy with a towering home run

Welcome back to Shohei Ohtani, Japan

“I’m surprised it took two at-bats, honestly,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said after witnessing Shohei Ohtani do what he does best – rise to the occasion.

Under the bright lights of a packed Tokyo Dome on Saturday night, Ohtani delivered in spectacular fashion, crushing a two-run home run to deep right field in the third inning of the Dodgers’ 5-1 exhibition win over the Yomiuri Giants. It was the second of three home runs Los Angeles launched that inning off Giants ace Shosei Togo, with Michael Conforto leading off with a solo shot and Teoscar Hernández capping the barrage with another two-run blast.

WELCOME BACK TO JAPAN, SHOHEI! pic.twitter.com/Pbk2aEe3UZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 15, 2025

“With so many fans in the stands, it really felt like I’ve come back [home] after a long time,” Ohtani told Japanese reporters. “I think it was a great at-bat.”

As the Dodgers prepare for the Tokyo Series opener against the Cubs next week, Ohtani’s presence in his home country has been nothing short of electric. The excitement surrounding him is palpable, with fans eager to see him represent an MLB team on Japanese soil. From advertisements plastered across the city to the overwhelming support at the stadium, it’s clear Shohei Ohtani is the main attraction.

ALSO READ: 2025 MLB Tokyo Series: Schedule, Key Players, and Live Streaming Details

When he stepped into the batter’s box for his first plate appearance, the Tokyo Dome crowd fell silent in anticipation, only to erupt in cheers when he worked a walk. But the ovation that followed his towering home run was something else entirely, even topping the reception for the hometown Giants.

In a city that already adores him, Shohei Ohtani continues to prove why he’s baseball’s biggest superstar.

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Shohei Ohtani

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Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.