The drums hit first, then the brass, then 40,000 voices. Japanese baseball's organized cheering — ōendan — is a performance art, and it belongs to everyone in the stands.
What is an ōendan?
An ōendan is an organized cheering squad — usually tied to a team or a company — that leads structured, choreographed support. Each team has a base of dedicated fan clubs with their own fight songs, drum patterns and chants, performed with taiko drums, brass instruments and flags.
How a chant works
Cheering follows the at-bat: the ōendan launches a song when a key hitter steps up, and the crowd joins the chorus. The rhythm is call-and-response — you don't need to know the words to clap and sing along. Between plays, the brass keeps a rolling energy that American ballparks rarely match.
The seventh inning is called Lucky 7 — and it sounds like a festival.
Lucky 7 and beyond
In the 7th inning, fans sing, wave towels and join the rally — NPB's answer to the seventh-inning stretch, but louder. Big moments bring balloon releases (allowed only at some parks, and only with a hand pump) and towels waved overhead.
How to join in
Watch one song first, then follow the crowd. Wear the team's colors, clap on the off-beat, and don't worry about the words — participation is the point. For the full game-day context, see the Game-Day Guide.