Nippon Budokan

Nippon Budokan (日本武道館)
Budokan
Nippon Budokan Hall Main entrance
Location	2-3 Kitanomarukōen, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8321, Japan
Coordinates	35°41′36″N 139°45′00″E
Built	1964
Opened	October 3, 1964
Owner	The Nippon Budokan Foundation (財団法人 日本武道館)
Construction cost	2 billion Japanese yen (5.6 million USD in 1964)
Architect	Mamoru Yamada
Main contractors	Takenaka Corporation
Capacity	14,201
Field dimensions	Height: 42 m (140 ft)

The Nippon Budokan (日本武道館, Nippon Budōkan), often shortened to just "Budokan," is an arena in central Tokyo, Japan.

For many Westerners, the Budokan is synonymous with large-scale rock concerts. It was here that The Beatles made their Japanese debut and the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded. The Nippon Budokan, however, was originally built for the judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence its name, rendered in English as Martial Arts Hall.

For most Japanese musicians, it is a dream for them to one day perform at the Budokan.^{[citation needed]}

Location

The Nippon Budokan is located in Kitanomaru Park in the center of Tokyo, two minutes' walking distance from Kudanshita Subway Station, and near Yasukuni Shrine. This 42 m (140 ft) high imposing octagonal structure holds 14,201 people (arena seats: 2,762, 1st floor seats: 3,199, 2nd floor seats: 7,760, standee: 480) and is modeled after Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) in Hōryū-ji in Nara.

Venue history

Martial arts

File:Nippon Budoukan AGE Ibamoto 3.png

A Concert Stage at Budokan

Though it still functions as a venue for big musical events, its primary purpose is for Japanese martial arts. The national championships of the different branches of the martial arts (judo, kendo, karate, aikido, shorinji kempo, kyūdō, naginata, etc.) are held annually at the Budokan. For wrestling fans the Budokan means professional wrestling's big shows. Now, the Budokan is mostly used by Pro Wrestling Noah, who often hold major events there.

Music

File:Budokan sakura.JPG

Roof of Budokan and cherry blossoms

The Beatles were the first rock group to perform here, in a series of shows in June/July 1966; their appearances were met with opposition from those who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena. In March / April 1978, Kiss performed five sold out shows in this arena. However, the Budokan gained worldwide fame when American artists Cheap Trick and Bob Dylan used the arena to record their concert albums, At Budokan (1978) and Bob Dylan at Budokan (1979), respectively. In March 1980, ABBA performed six shows there as part of their world tour 1979/80. British heavy metal band Judas Priest recorded their 2005 live DVD Rising in the East at Budokan. Other rock artists to appear at this venue include Queen, Deep Purple (for the last of the three concerts making up their Made in Japan live album; during their 1985 reunion tour the band played four consecutive nights here), Walker Brothers, Marvin Gaye (who performed there during his first and only Japanese tour in 1979) Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode, Journey, Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel, Cyndi Lauper, Bryan Adams, Rush, Genesis, Styx, Skid Row, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Michael Schenker Group (One Night at Budokan, 1982), Yngwie Malmsteen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, Blur, Linda Ronstadt, Oasis (Three Nights in a Judo Arena, 1998), Donna Summer, Toto, Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, Eric Clapton, (his double album Just One Night was recorded there in 1980), John Hiatt, Ozzy Osbourne (who filmed "Live at the Budokan"), The Smashing Pumpkins, and progressive metal band Dream Theater (2004) who recorded a live 2DVD/3CD Live at Budokan. During the month of September '93, Pop/R&B artist Whitney Houston performed a combined 8 nights (including six-consecutive shows) at the Budokan. On September 4, 2006, R&B artist Beyoncé Knowles performed a number of songs off her B'Day album at the Budokan. Avril Lavigne has also performed at the Budokan, and has released a DVD of her performance there entitled "The Bonez Tour: Live In Budokan". Butch Walker also filmed a DVD "Live at Budokan" in 2005 as did Ozzy Osbourne in 2002. On February 3, February 14, February 15, and February 16, 1997, Canadian star Celine Dion performed her four Falling into You Tour concerts here. On May 29, 2007, New Jersey band My Chemical Romance performed one of their The Black Parade World Tour concerts at Budokan. Most of the bands who play Budokan do more than one night and so far Aerosmith has done the most nights with 7 straight sold out shows in 1994 during their Get a Grip Tour. Peace and Smile Company's 10th anniversary was held in Nippon Budokan with performances by SuG, SCREW, Kagrra,, Kra, alice nine., the GazettE and Miyavi.

Chatmonchy currently holds the record for the largest crowd at Budokan. Tohoshinki were the first Korean group to hold a concert here.

Famous Japanese acts that have played at Budokan include Southern All Stars,Alice Nine, Eikichi Yazawa, Fumiya Fujii, Seiko Matsuda, ZONE, AAA, Porno Graffitti, Puffy AmiYumi, Pink Lady, B'z, BUCK-TICK, Miyavi, L'Arc~en~Ciel, Dir en grey, Nightmare, Mucc, Cornelius, Love Psychedelico, Every Little Thing, Glay, The Gazette, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Hikaru Utada, Hhyde, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Misia, Morning Musume, M-Flo, Do As Infinity, X Japan, Ringo Shiina, Tokyo Jihen, Nana Mizuki, Janne Da Arc, VAMPS, SID, Siam Shade, Princess Princess, Yui,Mai Kuraki, Malice Mizer, FLOW, Home Made Kazoku, Perfume, SPEED, Tohoshinki Uverworld, mihimaru GT, Angela Aki, Plastic Tree, An Cafe, Base Ball Bear, May'n, POLYSICS, Megumi Nakajima and Maaya Sakamoto.

File:Nippon Budokan dsc05079.jpg

Nippon Budokan

Other events

A national ceremony to mourn the Second World War dead is held with the attendance of the Prime Minister, the Emperor and the Empress annually in Budokan on August 15, the day of Japan's surrender.

External links

• Nippon Budokan official website (Japanese)
• Nippon Budokan Map

Preceded by Imperial Garden Theater

Host of the Japan Record Awards 1985-1993

Succeeded by TBS Broadcast Center

Available Languages

[[::Nippon Budokan|English]]