Located in Kitanomaru Park, just outside the Imperial Palace grounds in the central Tokyo district of Marunouchi, is the renowned martial arts hall known as Nippon Budokan.
Originally built for the judo events of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the Budokan complex consists of three halls, with the largest seating 14,471 people. Its distinctive roof design is said to represent the flowing lines of Mt. Fuji.
Although primarily a martial arts venue, Budokan has become closely associated with Western rock music. Legendary artists such as Bob Dylan, Cheap Trick, and Blur have recorded famous Live at Budokan albums. The first rock act to perform at Budokan was The Beatles in 1966, a controversial event at the time, as some Japanese critics opposed the idea of a rock concert in a sacred martial arts hall. Today, Budokan remains a prestigious venue for both Japanese and international musicians, while continuing to host major martial arts tournaments and exhibitions.
Martial arts schools regularly operate at Budokan, and visitors may have the chance to watch a practice session free of charge if they visit at the right time.
Access
Budokan is just a two-minute walk from Kudanshita Subway Station, served by:
- Toei Shinjuku Line (S-05)
- Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line (Z-06)
- Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line (T-07)
The venue is also located across the road from Yasukuni Shrine. If you’re visiting the Imperial Palace, consider taking a scenic walk north through the palace gardens to Kitanomaru Park, where Budokan is situated inside the moat area of the palace and Kitanomaru grounds.
