**Ohtani Effect Energizes Dodgers World Series Wins and Tourism Surge**

Shohei Ohtani's influence turns LA's Little Tokyo into a vibrant hub of celebration, drawing tourists from Japan and boosting local business amidst the Dodgers' championship win.

In an electrifying atmosphere, Los Angeles basked in the glory of the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory over the New York Yankees, a triumph firmly linked to the phenomenon dubbed the "Ohtani effect." The LA neighborhood known as Little Tokyo blossomed with life as fans from around the globe, especially from Japan, flocked to witness the magic of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' prodigious star. A grand 150ft (45m) mural of Ohtani serves as a striking landmark, where fans don jerseys emblazed with his name, turning every game into a global event.

Ohtani, who set a record contract worth an astounding $700 million (£540m) over 10 years, has transformed the Dodgers into a team of international allure. The surge in visitors, attracted by Ohtani's presence, has invigorated local businesses. Restaurants like Far Bar have capitalized on this craze, offering unique promotions—free sake shots in celebration of each Ohtani home run, a phenomenon that speaks volumes, considering he hit 54 throughout the regular season.

As the Dodgers clinched victory after a nail-biting comeback from a 5-0 deficit to win 7-6, the local neighborhood erupted in jubilant celebrations. Don Tahara, the owner of Far Bar, shared the joy of the moment: “When Shohei comes to bat—everyone knows what is at stake.” He also honored the memory of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela during the festivities by serving mochi adorned with the team's logo.

Enthusiasm wasn't limited to locals; Takatani Kiuchi, a visitor from Japan, expressed his excitement at the impact of the rivalry: “For us, it's more than the Series—it's Yankees versus Dodgers that counts.” Kiuchi and his friends embraced the celebratory spirit of Ohtani's influence as they cheered for both the pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the rest of the team in their recent success.

As LA's tourism saw a significant boost—230,000 visitors from Japan in 2023 alone, marking a momentous 91.7% increase from the previous year—officials recognized Ohtani’s role in the rebound of the local economy. The tourism board projects that this year might welcome 320,000 visitors, evidencing the "Ohtani effect" on a broader scale.

Even Yankee fans blended into the celebratory atmosphere. One admitted his loyalty to New York but couldn’t resist cheering for Ohtani, showcasing the player’s capacity to bridge the gap between rival fanbases. As cheers filled the bar and the Dodgers celebrated their victory, Ohtani's influence on Los Angeles culture and tourism remained undeniable, solidifying his role as a bridge to friendship and community through baseball.