Japan National Stadium, Multi-purpose sports venue in Kasumigaoka, Tokyo, Japan.
The Japan National Stadium is a multi-purpose facility in Kasumigaoka that rises five stories above ground and extends two levels below, with a total capacity of 68,000 seats. The seating tiers wrap around an oval athletics track with a grass pitch at the center, while timber features from across Japan line the interiors and exterior cladding.
Construction began in December 2016 on the site of the former National Stadium, which had been demolished beforehand, and the venue officially opened on December 21, 2019. The facility was built to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and serve as a home for major sporting and cultural events going forward.
The building features timber sourced from each of Japan's 47 prefectures, woven into its framework as a nod to regional craftsmanship. This approach echoes centuries-old carpentry traditions where local materials are paired with skilled joinery techniques.
The venue provides 450 wheelchair spaces and links to three nearby railway stations within a five-minute walk. Visitors will find entrances on multiple levels that allow direct access to different seating sections.
Solar panels mounted on the roof structure generate electricity for operations, while underground cisterns capture rainwater and supply it for irrigation of the grass pitch and surrounding plantings. This system reduces the need for municipal water supplies considerably.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
