Happ’s past trip to Japan gives him perspective

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

TOKYO -- Ian Happ and his wife spent two weeks honeymooning in Japan two years ago, exploring the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. Other than a dinner with Seiya Suzuki during the trip, their travels were not centered around baseball at all.

“We really appreciated the architecture,” Happ said. “We really appreciated the art and the aesthetic.”

Happ mentioned the Japanese term, “wabi-sabi,” which centers around the idea of finding beauty in the imperfection of nature. That was a concept that resonated with Happ, who came away from their trip with a greater appreciation for the culture and deep history of Japan. It is something he hopes his teammates will experience this week, too.

The Cubs landed in Tokyo Wednesday night to begin their preparation for the Tokyo Series on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Dodgers. Unlike the shorter, mid-season trip to London to play the Cardinals two seasons ago, this mid-March excursion allows for more days of acclimation, includes two exhibition games and some time for the players to play tourist for a bit.

“I hope people just appreciate the culture and experience,” Happ said. “I hope people get out and really try to see a lot of what the day-to-day life is for people in Tokyo every day. We were lucky to do that on our honeymoon, because we were purely tourists and going to do that. We’re going for work here.”

Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga and outfielder Suzuki -- after their efforts to acclimate and adjust to life in the United States and in Major League Baseball -- will now have the chance to show their teammates and Chicago’s staff a bit of what they are accustomed to in Japan.

Happ said his visit two years ago gave him added perspective on the challenge his Japanese teammates faced on making the jump to MLB.

“The communication barrier is real,” Happ said. “When we were over there, we were lucky enough to have guides in the cities, but my wife and I were solo walking around. It’s not like traveling to Europe where you can kind of interpret what’s going on and try to make sense of it. It’s just very, very different.

“And I think for them coming over here -- and Seiya, specifically, having children, having just that complete culture shock, especially before Shota was here, when he was kind of solo -- to go through that and to be able to play as well as he’s played is really impressive.”

The Cubs will also get to experience first-hand the hero’s welcome Imanaga and Suzuki receive from their fans in Tokyo.

“I’m excited,” Happ said. “It’s going to be an electric atmosphere. I think they’re going to be super excited about it.”