The Nippon Budokan (Japanese: 日本武道館, Hepburn: Nippon Budōkan, lit.'Japan Martial Arts Hall'), often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally built for the inaugural Olympic judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics. While its primary purpose is to host martial arts contests, the arena has gained additional fame as one of the world's most outstanding musical performance venues.[1] The Budokan was a popular venue for Japanese professional wrestling for a time, and it has hosted numerous other sporting events, such as the 1967 Women's Volleyball World Championship. Most recently, the arena hosted the Olympic debut of karate in the 2020 Summer Olympics, as well as the judo competition at both the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
Although the Budokan also functions as a venue for big musical events, its primary purpose is for Japanese martial arts. The national championships of the different branches of major martial arts (judo, kendo, karate, aikido, etc.) are held annually at the Budokan. The Budokan has also been associated with professional wrestling's big shows, typically from All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. However, due to declining audiences following the death of Mitsuharu Misawa and the retirement of Kenta Kobashi, professional wrestling has ceased running regular shows in the Budokan. During Wrestle Kingdom 12, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that its yearly G1 Climax tournament's finals would be held at the Budokan.[3]
The Beatles were the first rock group to perform at the Budokan in a series of five shows held between June 30 and July 2, 1966.[4] Their appearances were met with opposition from those who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena.[5]
In July 1973, Japanese television recorded the Santana performance at the Budokan.
The Budokan gained worldwide fame when American artists Cheap Trick and Bob Dylan used the arena to record their performances, Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978) and Bob Dylan at Budokan (1979). The venue is popular for recording live albums because it has good acoustics, is relatively large and Japanese audiences are known for being highly appreciative when appropriate but quiet during performances.[6]Eric Clapton described the Tokyo audience as "almost overappreciative" in interviews promoting Just One Night (1980), his own live album recorded at the Budokan.[citation needed]
Diana Ross; 1977; "An Evening with Diana Ross" concert was videotaped during her 1977 tour
Julie Andrews; 1977 "An Evening with Julie Andrews" concert was part of a highly acclaimed sold out national tour of Japan by Julie Andrews
Eikichi Yazawa; 1977; Super Live Nippon Budokan, recorded his Budokan concerts of 1977
Devo; 1979 "The Men Who Make the Music" Japanese TV broadcast. A clip of "Red Eye Express" from this show is included in The Men Who Make The Music home video
BOØWY; 1986–1987; July 2, 1986 - "Just a Hero Tour"; November 11 & December 10, 1986, February 24, 1987 - "GIGS at BUDOKAN"; November 3 & December 1, 1987 - "DR.FEELMAN'S PSYCHOPATHIC HEARTS CLUB BAND"
Dead or Alive; 1987 video Rip It Up Live (VHS/Laserdisc)
Suzuko Mimori; October 27–28, 2016; Mimori Suzuko Live Tour 2016 "Grand Revue" Final at Nippon Budokan
Eir Aoi; November 4–5, 2016; Eir Aoi 5th Anniversary Special Live 2016 ~Last Blue~ at Nippon Budokan
My First Story; November 18, 2016; We're Just Waiting 4 You Tour 2016 Final at Budokan
Mayday; February 3–4, 2017; Re-DNA 2017 Re-issue version
Journey; February 7, 2017; recorded live CD/DVD Live in Japan 2017
ClariS; February 10, 2017; ClariS 1st Budōkan Concert ~Futatsu no Kamen to Ushinawareta Taiyō~ (ClariS 1st Budōkan Concert: Two Masks and the Lost Sun)
Versailles; February 14, 2017; Chateau de Versailles at Nippon Budokan
The Oral Cigarettes; June 16, 2017; Unofficial Dining Tour 2017 at Nippon Budokan
Taemin; July 1–2, 2017; TAEMIN The 1st Stage Nippon Budokan
As well as holding the Live Concert in appreciation of the Popular Anime series Lucky Star: Live in Budokan (Anata No Tame Dakara).
A concert was held in honor of Studio Ghibli's 25th anniversary at the Budokan, hosted by Joe Hisaishi. It included repertoire from most of the films Hisaishi composed for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli filmography.
Diana Ross performed and taped her "Here and Now" television special in 1991 to a sold-out audience.
The Japan Record Awards took place in the arena from 1985 to 1993 where all of the artists from around the country receive these awards.
Muhammad Ali won a unanimous decision over Mac Foster in their 1972 heavyweight boxing match.
On February 13, 1975, a religious gathering was held to hear Rev. Sun Myung Moon speak.[41]
On August 27, 2011, Japan's three biggest professional wrestling promotions; All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah came together to produce a charity event titled All Together at the arena. On August 10, 11 and 12, 2018 New Japan Pro-Wrestling held the final 3 days of the G1 Climax in the Budokan, which marked the first time in 15 years that New Japan has promoted an event there. New Japan once again returned to the arena for the final 3 days of the 2019 G1 Climax. New Japan also held the Best of the Super Jr. and World Tag League finals in December 2021, as well as their 49th Anniversary Show and the final two days of the upcoming G1 Climax in 2021.
In November, the Budokan is a venue for the annual Japan Self-Defense Forces Marching Festival, a yearly tradition and the nation's military tattoo first held here in the fall of 1963. Aside from JSDF bands, foreign armed forces military bands are also invited to join the event.[42]
The Nippon Budokan is the primary setting of the 1989 fighting gameBudokan: The Martial Spirit. Players train in various Japanese martial arts, and must then face off at the Budokan arena against computer-controlled opponents.
"日本武道館をRASの色で染め上げた「BanG Dream! 7th☆LIVE」DAY2をレポート"[Report on DAY2 of "BanG Dream! 7th ☆ LIVE", which dyed Nippon Budokan with RAS color]. Gamer (in Japanese). February 24, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
"安倍元首相の「国葬」9月27日実施で最終調整 政府"[Government finalizing plan for former Prime Minister Abe's "state funeral" to be held on September 27]. NHK NEWS WEB (in Japanese). July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.