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Yoyogi National Stadium

Arena located at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yoyogi National Stadium (Japanese: 国立代々木競技場, Hepburn: Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō), also known as Yoyogi National Gymnasium, is a sports facility at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.

Location2-1, Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35°40′03″N 139°42′01″E
OwnerJapan Sport Council
Capacity1st Gymnasium:[1]
  • 12,898 (maximum)
  • 8,774 (sport)
2nd Gymnasium:[2]
  • 4,002 (maximum)
  • 2,811 (sport)
Quick facts Location, Coordinates ...
Yoyogi National Stadium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Main arena
Interactive map of Yoyogi National Stadium
Location2-1, Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35°40′03″N 139°42′01″E
OwnerJapan Sport Council
Capacity1st Gymnasium:[1]
  • 12,898 (maximum)
  • 8,774 (sport)
2nd Gymnasium:[2]
  • 4,002 (maximum)
  • 2,811 (sport)
Public transitTokyo Metro (at Meiji-jingumae):
Chiyoda Line
Fukutoshin Line
JR East:
Yamanote Line at Harajuku
Construction
GroundbreakingFebruary 1963; 63 years ago (1963-02)
OpenedOctober 1964; 61 years ago (1964-10)
ArchitectKenzo Tange
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It consists of a 'First Gymnasium', famous for its suspension roof design, and a 'Second Gymnasium', also referred to as the "Annex". Originally built to host events for the 1964 Summer Olympics, today the stadium is regularly used for sport and entertainment events.

The NHK studios are adjacent to the arena along the edge of Yoyogi Park. Therefore, images of the arena are regularly featured at the end of NHK Newsline broadcasts.[citation needed]

Facilities

Gymnasium gate sign

The First Gymnasium has a capacity of 12,898 people (8,774 stand seats and 4,124 arena seats). It has an arena area of 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft).[1] The Second Gymnasium has a capacity of 4,002 people (2,803 fixed seats and 1,191 arena seats). It has an arena area of 1,300 square metres (14,000 sq ft).[2] It is also referred to as the Annex.[3] In addition, there is an indoor swimming pool, and futsal courts.[4][5]

Yoyogi National Stadium hosts sports such as basketball, handball, and table tennis. It also serves as a concert venue.[6] The stadium is located near Harajuku Station.[1][7]

History

The design of the Yoyogi National Stadium began in 1961 by Kenzō Tange in collaboration with engineer Yoshikatsu Tsuboi [ja].[8][9] The project was intended for the 1964 Summer Olympics.[10] The bid for the structure was approved 20 months before the start of the games and took 18 months to construct. It was opened on October 10, 1964.[11] The First Gymnasium held the swimming and diving events for the 1964 Summer Olympics and the Second Gymnasium held the basketball events. Both Gymnasiums were designed by Tange and were built at the same time.[3][12] Since 1964, the stadium has been used regularly for sport and entertainment events.[6]

Yoyogi National Stadium inspired the design for the Olympic Stadium for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.[6] In 1987, Kenzō Tange was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, with the citation describing the Yoyogi National Stadium as “among the most beautiful buildings of the 20th century".[3]

Yoyogi National Stadium was the venue for the handball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics[6][13] and venue for several events at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[10][14]

In 2021, the stadium was designated an Important Cultural Property in Japan for being "a monumental example of postwar architecture with a dynamic exterior and magnificent interior space".[10][15]

Events

Sporting events

Musical events

Other events

Interior of Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium in 1973 with diving tower from 1964 Olympics visible
Interior of Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium in 2012
Interior of Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium

See also

References

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