Architecture

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium near Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium’s rooflines and connected volumes make a large sports complex feel like a sequence of smaller buildings. Fumihiko Maki’s 1990 design organizes an arena, sub-arena, and pool around exterior public spaces.

Guide preview

Different roof shapes appear to overlap as you move along the perimeter, and that changing silhouette is deliberate. Architect Fumihiko Maki designed the current Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium as a collection of connected volumes rather than one unbroken arena block. The complex, completed in 1990, brings together a main arena, sub-arena, and indoor pool.

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Quick facts

  • The gymnasium’s site area is 45,800 square metres.
  • The main arena accommodates up to 9,308 spectators.
  • The venue hosted table tennis at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

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