Nippon Budokan
In June 1961, judo was selected as an official sport for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. House of Representatives member Matsutarō Shōriki stood at Nippon Television's outdoor studio and declared his desire to build a world-class martial arts hall in central Tokyo. He formed the Diet Members' Association for the Construction of the Martial Arts Hall with Vice-chairmen Mikio Mizuta and Shigeyoshi Matsumae. The initiative gathered signatures from 525 cross-party lawmakers including Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda and Sanzo Nosaka, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party. On the 31st of January 1962, the Nippon Budokan Foundation received approval from the Minister of Education. Chairman Matsutaro Shoriki led the foundation alongside Vice-chairmen Atsutaro Kimura and Shigeyoshi Matsumae. After much deliberation, the site for the building was finally decided upon in Kitanomaru. The structure was completed on the 15th of September 1964. The opening ceremony took place on the 3rd of October 1964, in the presence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun. From 20 to the 23rd of October, the Olympic judo competitions were held within its walls.
The national championships of major martial arts like judo, kendo, karate, and aikido are held annually at the venue. Professional wrestling shows typically came from All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah during the late twentieth century. Mitsuharu Misawa died and Kenta Kobashi retired, causing audiences to decline until regular shows ceased. Muhammad Ali fought Antonio Inoki in a hybrid rules match at the Budokan in 1976. This event is seen as a forerunner to mixed martial arts. Pride Fighting Championships held events inside the arena alongside K-1 and Shooto. New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that its yearly G1 Climax tournament finals would be held at the Budokan during Wrestle Kingdom 12. Professional wrestler Kenta Kobashi wrestled his final match in the building on the 11th of May 2013. Joshi wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom held their All Star Dream Cinderella event on the 3rd of March 2021. This marked the first time a joshi company had held an event in the venue in 24 years.
The Beatles became the first rock group to perform at the Budokan in a series of five shows between June 30 and the 2nd of 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. ABBA ended their last tour and held their final live performance there in March 1980. American artists Cheap Trick recorded their album Cheap Trick at Budokan in 1978. Bob Dylan released Bob Dylan at Budokan in 1979 after recording his performance there. The original Beatles concert is heavily bootlegged on audio and video. Apple Records officially released the first night's concert video in Japan only as Beatles Concert at Budokan 1966. Excerpts are shown in The Beatles Anthology while the second Anthology album included performances of Rock and Roll Music and She's A Woman. The record for the most Budokan music concerts is held by Eikichi Yazawa with 142 times as of the 19th of December 2017.
Japanese audiences are known for being highly appreciative when appropriate but quiet during performances. Eric Clapton described the Tokyo audience as almost overappreciative in interviews promoting Just One Night in 1980. His own live album was recorded at the Budokan venue. The venue has good acoustics and is relatively large compared to other spaces. Santana performed at the Budokan and Japanese television recorded the event in July 1973. Diana Ross taped her Here and Now television special in 1991 to a sold-out audience. Stormtroopers of Death released a live album titled Live at Budokan in 1992 though the title was in jest. That album was actually recorded at famed New York City venue The Ritz instead. The building holds 14,471 people across arena seats, first floor seats, second floor seats, and standee areas.
The National Memorial Service for War Dead takes place annually on August 15 with the attendance of the Prime Minister, Emperor, and Empress. This date marks the day of Japan's surrender. A concert was held in honor of Studio Ghibli's 25th anniversary at the Budokan hosted by Joe Hisaishi. It included repertoire from most films Hayao Miyazaki composed for Studio Ghibli filmography. On the 13th of February 1975, a religious gathering was held to hear Rev. Sun Myung Moon speak. The state funeral of Shinzo Abe was held at the Budokan on the 27th of September 2022. In November, the Budokan hosts the annual Japan Self-Defense Forces Marching Festival. This yearly tradition is the nation's military tattoo first held here in the fall of 1963. Foreign armed forces military bands are also invited to join the event alongside JSDF bands.
The Nippon Budokan serves as the primary setting of the 1989 fighting game Budokan: The Martial Spirit. Players train in various Japanese martial arts before facing computer-controlled opponents. A fictional concert hall based on the venue appeared in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock under the name Kaiju Megadome. The Beatles' appearance at Nippon Budokan was featured in The Beatles: Rock Band released in 2009. The venue appeared in the Japanese pro-wrestling video game Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Oudo Keisho from 2000. The building is located in Kitanomaru Park two minutes walking distance from Kudanshita Subway Station. It stands near the Imperial Palace and Yasukuni Shrine. The structure is modeled after Yumedono Hall of Dreams in Horyu-ji in Nara.
Common questions
When was the Nippon Budokan completed and opened?
The structure of the Nippon Budokan was completed on the 15th of September 1964. The opening ceremony took place on the 3rd of October 1964 in the presence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun.
Who founded the Nippon Budokan and when did they receive approval?
House of Representatives member Matsutarō Shōriki declared his desire to build the hall and formed the foundation with Vice-chairmen Mikio Mizuta and Shigeyoshi Matsumae. The Nippon Budokan Foundation received official approval from the Minister of Education on the 31st of January 1962.
Which rock band became the first to perform at the Nippon Budokan?
The Beatles became the first rock group to perform at the Nippon Budokan during a series of five shows between June 30 and the 2nd of July 1966. Apple Records officially released the video for the first night's concert as Beatles Concert at Budokan 1966 only in Japan.
What is the seating capacity of the Nippon Budokan venue?
The building holds 14,471 people across arena seats, first floor seats, second floor seats, and standee areas. This capacity makes it relatively large compared to other spaces while maintaining good acoustics.
When was the state funeral of Shinzo Abe held at the Nippon Budokan?
The state funeral of Shinzo Abe was held at the Nippon Budokan on the 27th of September 2022. This event joined other significant gatherings such as the National Memorial Service for War Dead which takes place annually on August 15.