Dodger Stadium's 1965 Japanese “Kasuga” Stone Lantern (Eight-Foot Tall, 3,921 Pounds) Location: Top Deck

The Dodgers' 1965 Japanese 'Kasuga' Stone Lantern, an eight-foot tall, 3,921-pound monument, stands proudly at Dodger Stadium, symbolizing the rich connection between Japanese baseball culture and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Presented by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper to commemorate the Dodgers' goodwill tour of Japan in 1966, this significant gift highlights the mutual respect and shared love for baseball between Japan and the United States. The lantern serves as a lasting tribute to the bond formed through this international exchange, celebrating the integration of Japanese influence in American baseball.

New Location at Dodger Stadium
The Japanese 'Kasuga' Stone Lantern will now serve as a majestic greeting to millions of Dodgers fans at Dodger Stadium. Positioned atop the stadium's highest deck, its presence promises to captivate and enchant spectators as they enter the venue.

Background of the Japanese Lantern Stone
Dodger Stadium, a renowned sports venue in North America, boasts numerous historical artifacts, including the Japanese stone lantern. This impressive monument, standing at eight feet tall and weighing nearly 4,000 pounds, has been a fixture near the stadium since 1966. It serves as the centerpiece of a traditional Japanese garden, symbolizing the enduring relationship between the Dodgers organization and Japan.

Previous Location of the Japanese Lantern
Previously situated on the hill behind right field, beyond Parking Lot 6 and past the Union 76 gas station, the Japanese stone lantern resided in a tranquil setting that offered respite to Dodger fans. Nestled amidst cherry blossom trees, river-rock paths, and pine trees cut in a Japanese style, the lantern created a serene atmosphere for visitors.

Future Home of the Japanese Lantern and Its Significance
The Japanese stone lantern holds deep historical significance, rooted in the friendship between Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley and renowned Japanese sportswriter Sotaro Suzuki. Suzuki, deeply moved by the Dodgers' invitation to the grand opening of Dodger Stadium in 1962, sought to reciprocate the gesture by gifting the lantern. Crafted by the Shimizugumi Stone Works Company and shipped in six sections to Los Angeles in 1965, the lantern symbolizes the enduring bond between Japan, baseball, and the Dodgers organization.

Over the years, the lantern and its surrounding garden fell into neglect, but recent efforts have revitalized its importance. In 2003, the garden was rededicated, reaffirming its significance to both the Dodgers and the Japanese community. Furthermore, the Dodgers' recent decision to relocate the lantern to a prominent location at Dodger Stadium’s Top Deck entrance signifies its enduring relevance. With the signings of Japanese baseball stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the lantern serves as a poignant reminder of the franchise's longstanding connection with Japanese baseball and culture.

Previous Location: Parking Lot 6
New Location: Dodger Stadium's Top Deck

Take One Photo
Take a photo next to the Japanese 'Lantern. A meaningful way to capture and celebrate the rich cultural and historical connection between Japan and the Los Angeles Dodgers, symbolizing international goodwill and shared love for baseball.


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