In Japan, Ohtani merchandise is sold at exorbitant prices, with jerseys costing $510 and caps priced at $150.

In the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, Hideki Chiba was browsing a sports store while Mai Fukuo was shopping for a friend in a nearby gift shop.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have become the new home for Shohei Ohtani, who left the Los Angeles Angels for a $700-million, 10-year contract. This move reflects the color revolution that's been happening in Tokyo, where the Dodgers' blue has become the new base color.

In Tokyo, designer-label goods have become the fashion item of choice, with angels caps almost completely disappearing.

Takuto Yamashita, a part-time worker at Selection, said, "Ohtani just changed our store." Selection is a shop in Japan that offers the largest array of MLB gear for all 30 teams and the 12 Japanese pro teams.

In Japan, there is one team that stands out above the rest, and it is the reason why the Dodgers invested heavily in Ohtani. Ohtani's celebrity status was not just for his pitching and hitting abilities, but also for marketing the Dodgers as Japan's team.

"The store's appearance has changed significantly. It was previously all red and is now all blue," Yamashita stated. "The absence of Ohtani in the past few months has had a significant impact on the store's sales."

Fukuo examined a traditional white jersey with "Dodgers" written in script on the front. She picked it up from the rack, a blend of Dodgers and Ohtani clothing, and evaluated it based on its appearance, fit, and feel.

"She explained that she was considering purchasing a t-shirt featuring Ohtani, a famous baseball player in Japan and around the world, for her co-worker who also enjoys baseball and Ohtani."

In a different aisle, Chiba picked up a traditional Dodgers cap and placed it in his shopping basket.

"As a baseball fan, I consider Ohtani to be like a hero to us. He is well-known even among non-baseball fans and is a Japanese icon. Although people expected him to be a good player, he has exceeded everyone's expectations."

Hayato Daido, the store manager, estimated that 60% of the sales come from Dodgers gear, including Ohtani-specific t-shirts, jerseys, key chains, etc. Takato Suzuki, the assistant store manager, suggested that it might be as high as 70%. Daido stated that about 10% of sales were linked to local teams like the Tokyo Giants.

Ohtani-related sales have increased "four or five times" since the Dodgers announced in December that they had signed him. However, gear for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the Dodgers on a $325-million, 12-year contract, has not yet arrived.

""We're just waiting for the demand to arise," Daido said."

Ohtani caps and jerseys from his six years with the Angels are still in demand.

"Suzuki, the assistant manager, stated that they are no longer being produced and have now become collector's items," said the assistant manager.

Ohtani sees the store as a museum, with posters, memorabilia, and "Sho-time" emblazoned on various items. A few Ichiro Suzuki shirts are available for purchase, a reminder of the Hall of Famer's certain first-ballot status.

Dekopin, or Decoy in English, featuring shirts with Ohtani's dog, is a popular item among fans. The next big seller could be related to his surprise marriage.

The cost of being an Ohtani fan can be high, with the ordinary Dodgers cap selling for around $42.

The traditional blue Dodgers cap with the interlocking LA on the front, featuring No. 17 on the side and a replica of Ohtani's signature, costs 22,400 yen, which is approximately $150.

If you want a baseball that Ohtani threw in a game on April 27, 2023, be prepared to pay a hefty price of 3.3 million yen, which is approximately $22,000. An Ohtani-used glove is also up for sale at a staggering price of almost 2 million yen, or $13,400.

Torben Lin, a Taiwanese individual, expressed an unconventional perspective. While shopping in town, his focus was on purchasing a Masataka Yoshida jersey, the Japanese outfielder who wears No. 7 for the Boston Red Sox. He deliberately avoided the Ohtani merchandise.

"Lin stated that Ohtani is a skilled player, but he is not perfect. He has two or three abilities. However, Lin believes that it is not necessary for everyone to purchase his souvenirs or shirts. Instead, he suggests supporting other players."

Despite the high price of 77,000 yen, or about $510, Hina Kishi remained determined to purchase the blue Dodgers jersey she admired in the Japanese restaurant where she works as a waitress.

"She said, "The kimono is a traditional Japanese dress that I wear while working." She added, "I'll figure out how to make the jersey fit into my payday spending.""

"I witnessed baseball in person for the first time at the World Baseball Classic last year at the Tokyo Dome," she stated. "I admire Ohtani greatly for being both an exceptional player and a wonderful person."

She flew to Los Angeles to see Ohtani play with Angels after being so captivated by him.

The demand for Dodgers caps with the "D" script above the bill is soaring, with profits being divided among fans who are willing to pay to be outfitted like Ohtani.

""Japanese news features daily discussions about Ohtani, and we can't imagine our business without him," Suzuki, the assistant manager, stated."

Ditto for MLB and the Dodgers.