Nippon Budokan’s roof rises in a smooth, mountain-like curve inside Kitanomaru Park. Built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the hall first brought judo onto the Olympic program and has since remained a major center for Japanese budō.
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The roofline seems to lift and fall like the foothills of a mountain. Nippon Budokan’s own history describes this flowing profile as an architectural expression of budō’s spirit, placing the arena among the trees of Kitanomaru Park.
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- Construction took about 12 months, beginning in October 1963.
- The venue is located in Kitanomaru Park near the Imperial Palace.
- Its foundation aims to promote budō among young people.
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