Nippon Budōkan
| 日本武道館 | |
| Budokan | |
 |
|
| Location | 2-3 Kitanomarukōen, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8321, Japan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°41′36″N 139°45′00″E / 35.69333°N 139.75000°E |
| Owner | The Nippon Budokan Foundation |
| Capacity | 14,471 |
| Field size | Height: 42 m (140 ft) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1964 |
| Opened | October 3, 1964 |
| Construction cost | 2 billion Japanese yen (5.6 million USD in 1964) |
| Architect | Mamoru Yamada |
| Main contractors | Takenaka Corporation |
Nippon Budokan (日本武道館 Nippon Budōkan?), often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
The Budokan was the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded, including those of Bob Dylan, Cheap Trick, Dream Theater and Ozzy Osbourne. The Nippon Budokan, however, was originally built for the judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence its name, which translates in English as Martial Arts Hall.
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 14,471 people (arena seats: 2,946, 1st floor seats: 3,199, 2nd floor seats: 7,846, standee: 480). The building is modeled after Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) in Hōryū-ji in Nara.
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, 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.
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