Please note: Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed. Please check the official Olympics website for the latest updates.
Judo made its debut as an Olympic sport in the 1964 games at the Nippon Budokan. What better venue for the martial arts events than this very same legacy venue?
The entrance to Nippon Budokan. © Dick Thomas Johnson
Walk through the leafy green oasis that is Kitanomaru-koen Park and you’ll find the Nippon Budokan. As the name suggests, this indoor arena is the spiritual home for Japanese martial arts ranging from kendo to judo to Japanese archery. This is where judo made its debut as an Olympic sport when Japan hosted their first games in 1964.
Naturally, this legacy venue will take up the mantle again for the 2020 Olympics. Nippon Budokan will host the Olympic judo and karate events, and the Paralympic judo events.
Outside of martial arts events, this 14,000-capacity arena is actively used for other large-scale events like concerts. Major stars like Tina Turner, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Cheap Trick have all played here! Incidentally, the roof of Nippon Budokan was designed to resemble Mt. Fuji, which isn’t far off the mark at all.
The Nippon Budokan is located 5 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Kudanshita Station on the Tozai, Hanzomon, and Toei-Shinjuku subway lines.
Besides visiting Nippon Budokan itself, there’s plenty else to do in the area. Try dropping by Yasukuni Shrine, the Showa-kan Museum, the Science Museum, or the National Museum of Modern Art, all located within walking distance. Kitanomaru-koen Park is also quite pleasant to stroll through. Check out our list of places to visit in the Imperial Palace Area for more.
For a full map of venues, visit our Tokyo Olympic Venues page.
Recommended Accommodation Near Nippon Budokan
- Imperial Hotel Tokyo
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
The Imperial Hotel Tokyo is a large old-school hotel overlooking beautiful Hibiya Park. - Hotel Monterey Hanzomon
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
Located in Hanzomon, over on the west side of the Imperial Palace, the Hotel Monterey Hanzomon is a smart little business hotel that offers incredible value to travelers who don’t mind being away from the big centers. - Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
On the west side of the Imperial Palace, the Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon is a good business hotel that offers extremely reasonable rates and small but clean rooms.
Name in English:
Nippon Budokan
Name in Japanese:
日本武道館
Address in English:
2-3 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8321
Address in Japanese:
〒102-8321 東京都千代田区北の丸公園２−３
Nearest Transport:
5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Kudanshita Station on the Tozai, Hanzomon, and Toei-Shinjuku subway lines
Where Is This Place Located?
See this place on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
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Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
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- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
