Flashback: 10 photos of the Japan All-Star Series through the years

Do you want to see Mike Piazza on a tractor, just because? How about a former sumo champion throwing out a first pitch? Well, you're in luck.

As the current crop of MLB players settle in for the 2014 Japan All-Star Series, we rounded up some of the best photos from previous All-Star exhibitions in Japan -- proof that despite jet lag and upside-down mascots (or maybe because of both), the Japan All-Star Series is always a good time.

The players make sure they bring souvenirs back. Here's Michael Young getting an autograph from Sadaharu Oh, manager of the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in 2004:

David Ortiz and then-Padres manager Bruce Bochy collecting the 50 million Yen prize on behalf of the MLB All-Stars, who won the series 5-3:

The fans love it when the MLB All-Stars come to town, whether it's snapping a selfie with Joe Nathan back in 2006:

Or reaching through the net for a Tom Pagnozzi autograph in 1996:

One of the coolest parts of the Japan All-Star Series is seeing Japanese players in action before they crossover to MLB.

Like Nori Aoki in 2006 -- before he was batting second and manning right field for the AL pennant-winning Royals, he was attempting to steal bases against his future MLB colleagues.

Kei Igawa in the media spotlight, and he wasn't even a Yankee yet:

And, of course, Hideki Matsui in 2002, a year before his All-Star rookie season with the Yankees:

There are some things that you only see in Japan, like former sumo champion Konishiki throwing out the first pitch in 1998:

And last, but certainly not least, Mike Piazza on a tractor, probably because #brands, but we like to think he just saw it and wanted to climb on top: