| Budokan | |
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| Location | 2-3 Kitanomarukōen, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8321, Japan |
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| Coordinates | 35°41′36″N 139°45′00″E / 35.69333°N 139.75°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[1] 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 into English as Martial Arts Hall.
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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
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
The Beatles were the first rock group to perform here, in a series of shows in June/July 1966; their appearances were met with suitable opposition who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena.[2] In March / April 1978, Kiss performed five sold out shows in this arena. However, the budokan gained worldwide fame when American artists Bob Dylan and Cheap Trick used the arena to record their concert albums, Bob Dylan at Budokan (1978) and 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 2006 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, Journey, Aerosmith, 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, 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 4th, 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 emo 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. In 2007 Korean boy band TVXQ who debuted in Japan as Tohoshinki held a two day sold out concert here. Peace and Smile Company's 10th aniversary was held in Nippon Budokan with performances by SuG, SCREW, Kagrra,, Kra, alice nine., the GazettE, and Miyavi.
American crossover band SOD did not record their 1992 album Live at Budokan here, instead they recorded it in NYC. English rock band Oasis played a series of gigs there in 1997, one of which was broadcast by MTV.
Famous Japanese acts that have played at Budokan are 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, Hyde, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Misia, Morning Musume, m-flo, Do As Infinity, X Japan, Ringo Shiina, Tokyo Jihen, Nana Mizuki, Janne Da Arc, Siam Shade, Princess Princess, Yui, Malice Mizer, FLOW, Home Made Kazoku, Perfume, UVERworld, mihimaru GT and many more. An Cafe are due to play there on 4th January 2010.
On 1999, Diva of Asia or Diva of Pop (info. referring Time Magazine) Faye Wong held her concert Scenic Tour Japan Concert here. She is the first Chinese singer who held concert in here. On Nov 2002, Faye Wong held her second concert, Faye Wong Japan Concert here. It was reportedly her best performance yet.[3]
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.
References
External links
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| Preceded by Imperial Garden Theater |
Host of the Japan Record Awards 1985-1993 |
Succeeded by TBS Broadcast Center |
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