Nippon Budokan Stadium
Indoor arena originally built for judo competitions
Built for judo at the 1964 Olympics, the Nippon Budokan stages martial arts, concerts and ceremonies; music fans attend historic live shows while martial artists compete in tournaments.
Nippon Budokan at a Glance#
Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Kudanminami, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-8321, Japan
Website: http://www.nippon-budokan.or.jp/
Admission: Varies: concert/event ticket prices variable; museum days or sumo events have separate admissions
About Nippon Budokan#
Nippon Budokan is an indoor arena in Tokyo originally built to host judo competition at the 1964 Olympic Games and later developed into a premier venue for martial arts and popular music events. The octagonal hall is closely associated with major national and international performances.
The building is used for karate, kendo and other martial arts championships as well as for concerts and ceremonies; many famous live music recordings have been made there. Its central location near Kitanomaru Park and the Imperial Palace makes it accessible from central Tokyo.
The venue opened in 1964 and has since undergone maintenance and updates to accommodate modern event production while retaining its status as a landmark performance space.
It stands in the Chiyoda ward, adjacent to parkland north of the Imperial Palace, and is easily reached from central Tokyo transport links.
- Built for 1964 Olympics: Constructed for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games to host judo, the arena has since been a major venue for martial arts, national events and international music concerts.
- Capacity: Seating capacity is around 14,000, making it suitable for large indoor sporting events and concerts; acoustics and layout have made it a popular recording venue for live albums.
How to Get to Nippon Budokan#
Take the JR Chūō Line to Kanda or Tokyo stations and walk (20-25 minutes), or use the Tokyo Metro-take Tozai Line to Takebashi Station (about a 3-5 minute walk) or Hanzomon Line to Kudanshita Station (5-7 minute walk). Taxis from central Tokyo take around 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Nippon Budokan#
- Check event schedules well in advance-major concerts sell out quickly.
- For quieter visits, go early when the building and surrounding park are calm.
- If visiting for martial arts/sports, sit higher in the arena for the best view of choreography and technical detail.
Best Time to Visit Nippon Budokan#
Best to time visits around events: spring and autumn are busiest with cultural programming.
Weather & Climate near Nippon Budokan#
Nippon Budokan's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1462 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 1° - 10° | 2° | 46 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Good | 2° - 10° | 3° | 59 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 124 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 15° - 23° | 19° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.9h |
| June | Good | 19° - 25° | 22° | 176 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.4h |
| July | Good | 22° - 29° | 25° | 159 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Good | 20° - 27° | 23° | 203 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 14° - 21° | 18° | 169 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 4° - 12° | 6° | 43 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
