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Eight months ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, a ceremony was held Sunday to recognize the completion of the new National Stadium. The ceremony was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Tokyo Gov Yuriko Koike, architect Kengo Kuma and other officials.
Designed by Kuma with a strong emphasis on environmental awareness, the venue will be open to the public on Dec 21, with a multitude of Japanese cultural displays and a visit by Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of 68,000, will host the final of the Emperor's Cup soccer tournament on Jan 1, which will be its first sports event.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games will be held in the stadium along with the athletic events and soccer matches. The stadium will also host events during the Paralympic Games.
The stadium was designed as a collection of pieces of wood that are small in diameter. The facade consists of overlapping, multi-layered eaves made of wood gathered from Japan’s 47 prefectures, and the roof features a truss structure which combines steel beams and laminated lumber.
Spectators will have great views of the athletes from any of the stands, which are bowl-shaped, three-layered and whose inclination gradually becomes steeper. The interior spaces are designed with warm wooden textures and even the athletes’ dressing rooms use laminated wooden materials.
Wood is omnipresent. From the plant-covered facade, the large flat roof which is a fusion of cutting- edge technology and master craftsmanship, to the eaves - one of the features of traditional Japanese construction - around the outer perimeter in order to gently blend in the stadium with the green environment.
The total cost of its construction amounted to 156.9 billion yen, under the planned 159-billion-yen budget.
Ab said he hopes the stadium, built in the first year of the new Reiwa era, will leave its mark in history. "We want to show the world what Japan is capable of doing, and use the Olympics as an opportunity to open doors to the country's future. This stadium is a perfect stage do those things," he said.
Toshiro Muto, Tokyo 2020 CEO, said: “We are very pleased that construction of the stadium – a key symbol of the Tokyo 2020 Games – has now been completed; it makes us realize just how close we are getting to the start of the Games. We appreciate the support of everyone involved in its construction, including the national government, the Japan Sport Council and so many others."
© Japan Today
21 Comments
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Bugle Boy of Company B
Well, they make it sound good! I hope the Japanese get at least as much back as they put into it.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Well done. The Japanese are known for their efficiency, accuracy, and sense of timing. They look set to inspire organizers of mega events across the length and breadth of the Planet. Congratulations to the Japanese labor force, engineers, and their think-tanks.
Ganbare Japan!
Wow, the National Stadium looks jaw-dropping, in particular the timber eves from all 47 prefectures! Amazing traditional Japanese craftsmanship, Eco-friendly and great legacy for the youth of Japan for the next 100 years.
Jandworld
Well we also have a new wooden govtoffice on a ‘cho’ level. It leaves a concrete building vacant and no-one just knows what to do with that bubble build structure.
will it be demolished after 20some years?
termites ( white ants ) will compete with my young ones
and yes soccer is the game of the age.
gogogo
Built on graves and 2-3 times over budget? Just don't ask where the wood came from...
Concerned Citizen
Under budget. Well done!
Drako
Did they mention those who gave their life while building this? They should have a ceremony for them as well.
ClippetyClop
People of the Planet will indeed learn a lot from the debacle it has been so far.
Looks a beautiful stadium though.
hooktrunk2
Kind of curious the purpose of the speckled seats. I wonder if it will give the illusion of a full stadium when it isn't full. Photos of the stadium from above make it look like spectators are in the seats when they are not.
commanteer
"The forest theme is prevalent in the color of the stadium seating, which at first glance appear to be a random assortment of white, different shades of greens and burnt umber. Kuma envisioned sunlight filtering through the trees (the timber roof) and onto the forest floor (the seating), and as such the colors of the seats grade lighter as they move towards the top. "
garymalmgren
Interesting to see Governor Koike pushed .......................way over to the side
gary
hooktrunk2
@commanteer Thanks for the explanation. Not sure I get it though. Kind of a stretch for me to see that in the seating pattern. Kind of strange especially since it won't really be enjoyed if the colosseum is filled or partly filled.
redelmotalking
“Hello our stadium”? Will Japan ever stop with mangling English into these weird slogans? Another one that grates is ANA’s “inspiration of Japan”. What does that even mean??
mike1492
The stadium looks grand! Banzai! Sapporo will be ready! Let the games begin!
sf2k
Hello our stadium????? Nothing like a photo that will be shared around the world showcasing Japan's English level
albaleo
A spelling mistake? Should it be, "Hallow our stadium".
Chip Star
No, they are not known for their efficiency. Where did you get this idea?
gogogo
None of the wood was eco-sustained, most of it was from rainforests or conveniently "unsure" where it came from....
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/29/tokyo-olympics-venues-built-with-wood-from-threatened-rainforests
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/02/23/tokyo-olympics-confirms-use-rainforest-timber-stadium-build/
nandakandamanda
cracaphat: "And of course Dear Leader had to be there front and center. I wouldn't be surprised if he appointed himself as the torch lighter at the Olympics."
Apparently there is no provision for the Olympic flame in this new stadium yet. It's been a sore point since the start...