[Exclusive] Giants Catcher Seiji Kobayashi Finds New Love as He Eyes a Fresh Start

Caught on a shrine date with a slender beauty!

While seeing off his longtime partner as he pursued a Major League dream, the man had apparently found a new partner of his own.

One afternoon after the start of the professional baseball season, a luxury car was parked at Hakone Shrine, one of the Kanto region’s most famous spiritual power spots, located about two hours by car from central Tokyo.

The car actually belongs to Tomoyuki Sugano (36) of the Colorado Rockies, who has been playing in the majors since last season. However, the person who stepped out of the driver’s seat was none other than Seiji Kobayashi (36), Sugano’s longtime battery mate from the Yomiuri Giants>.

Dressed in stylish sunglasses and white trousers, Kobayashi cut a refreshingly fashionable figure. Emerging from the passenger seat was a slender woman with brown hair said to resemble Akemi Darenogare, accompanied by a fluffy-haired dog.

Kobayashi joined the Giants as the club’s first-round draft pick in 2013. Widely regarded as one of Japanese baseball’s elite defensive catchers, he led the league in caught-stealing percentage for four consecutive seasons beginning in 2016. Although he started this season with the farm team after struggling to find form, he earned his first call-up to the top squad on April 21 against Chunichi and contributed to the team’s victory.

Apparently spending his day off recharging at a spiritual destination, Kobayashi and his companion offered prayers at the shrine before strolling around the grounds. He was seen carrying her handbag while she walked the dog and taking photos of her like a devoted personal photographer.

When a light rain began to fall, the pair drew close together beneath a single umbrella, creating an unmistakably affectionate scene.

So what exactly is their relationship?

“Kobayashi met her through a mutual acquaintance, and they hit it off immediately. They’ve been dating for about six months and have been living together for roughly the last three months,” a friend of Kobayashi’s revealed.

“She’s an office worker in her twenties who supports him by preparing home-cooked meals and has even studied nutrition. Before meeting him, she knew virtually nothing about baseball—let alone the Giants. As far as I understand, they’re dating with marriage in mind.”

After finishing their visit to the shrine, the couple headed to Ōwakudani. They stopped for another photo session in front of the area’s famous black egg monument, inspired by the local specialty eggs boiled in volcanic hot springs.

Watching his companion beam with delight, Kobayashi himself couldn’t stop smiling.

Kobayashi confronted about the relationship!

When approached about their relationship, Kobayashi responded with a relaxed smile and a cheerful “Hello,” showing no sign of annoyance whatsoever. Standing beside him, cradling his pet dog, was the same woman who had been seen with him on the shrine date.

— We heard that the two of you are dating.

“Well. (gesturing toward her) we’re together right now. So, yes.”

— Are you dating with marriage in mind?

“Well, that’s from here on.”

Glancing toward his girlfriend, who had already settled into the passenger seat and was quietly observing the exchange, Kobayashi carefully chose his words. However, when asked, “The car you’re driving belongs to Sugano-san, doesn’t it?” his expression relaxed slightly.

“It used to, yes.”

— Lastly, you’ve been promoted to the first team. Could you tell us about your goals moving forward?

“I’ll do my best to contribute to the team. Thank you very much.”

After answering the final question, he placed his beloved dog in the back seat before climbing into the driver’s seat himself.

The heartthrob of the baseball world will return to the field once again, drawing strength from the support of his girlfriend.

From the May 15 and 22, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”