The impact of Shohei Ohtani is undeniable. This year, Los Angeles has welcomed around 230,000 Japanese tourists, boosting Japan to become the city’s fifth-largest source of international visitors, thanks in part to Ohtani’s influence. Bill Karz, the CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism Board, noted that this “Ohtani fever” shows no signs of slowing down.

“The Ohtani effect is very real,” Karz stated, highlighting the fervor many Japanese fans have for their hometown superstar. Many have traveled across the ocean just to catch a glimpse of Ohtani in action. “We know that 80% to 90% of travelers from Japan who come to Los Angeles attend a Dodgers game.”

According to projections from the LA Tourism Board, Japan is set to be the fifth-largest overseas travel market for Los Angeles this year. The Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo has seen a surge in Japanese visitors, particularly since the unveiling of a giant mural of Ohtani earlier this year, which has become a popular photo spot on social media.

In response to the growing interest from Japanese fans, Dodger Stadium has increased the frequency of Japanese-language tours, now offering them eight times a week. While traveling to Los Angeles to watch games can be expensive, for many Japanese fans, it’s worth the cost. Risa Oyama, the sales manager at the Miyako Hotel, observed, “Despite the high prices for tickets and accommodations, everyone is willing to come just to witness Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable performances.”

One such fan is Yohei Suzuki, who flew from Japan specifically to attend a crucial game last Sunday. “I came all the way from Japan to watch him hit,” he said. “He recorded two hits, and I was truly amazed—he did incredibly well.”

As reported by the Associated Press, as the Dodgers move closer to the World Series, television ratings in Japan are soaring to new heights. The first game between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees is set to take place this Friday night in the U.S., with broadcast coverage in Japan scheduled for Saturday morning.