# @maxwhittle on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZhOINjE8Ae
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66841271-maxwhittle-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/33172734c8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-13T08:17:56.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Max Whittle (@maxwhittle) — https://gondola.cc/maxwhittle

## Caption

A full-on pinch-me day in northern Japan.

First, a visit to Hideki Kuriyama’s Kurinoki Farm, which was inspired by the film Field of Dreams. I was there to capture some drone shots, but then one of his staff members welcomed me in with green tea and kindly allowed me to film an incredible collection of baseball memorabilia.

And then to top it off, I just sat down for an interview with the man himself.

Kuriyama-san managed Japan to the World Baseball Classic title in 2023 and, before that, played a pivotal role in Shohei Ohtani’s development as a two-way player during his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. You can see one of Shohei’s first bats in the cabin. 

I’m in Japan filming a documentary about Ohtani and Japanese baseball culture for sportsillustrated, coming later this year.

What a day 🙌⚾️🇯🇵

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 0
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- **Comments:** 13

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Max Whittle | @maxwhittle | https://gondola.cc/maxwhittle | Creator |

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