National Olympic Stadium

Kokuritsu Kyōgijō
Location	10-2, Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Opened	1958
Owner	National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health (NAASH)
Surface	Grass
Architect	Mitsuo Katayama
Capacity	48,000 (seated) 57,363
Field dimensions	105 × 68 m
Tenants
1964 Summer Olympics

National Olympic Stadium (国立霞ヶ丘陸上競技場, Kokuritsu Kasumigaoka Rikujō Kyogijō^?) is a stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. These days it serves as the stadium where the Japan national football team home matches and major football club cup finals are held.

[edit] History

The stadium was completed in 1958 as the Japanese National Stadium on the site of the former Meiji Shrine Outer Park Stadium. Its first major event was the 1958 Asian Games.

[edit] Events

In addition to the 1964 Summer Olympics, the stadium has held many other significant events, most notably the 1991 World Athletics Championships, the Mirage Bowl College Football games from 1976–1993, and the Intercontinental Cup (Toyota Cup) from 1980–2001. As the National Stadium of Japan, it is the venue for the final game of the Emperor's Cup on New Year's Day, and the J. League Cup in November, as well as the Fuji Xerox Cup in the end of February or early March, every year. The stadium's capacity is currently 57,363. Rugby games are also played at this venue, including the annual university rugby finals, as the nearby Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium's capacity is insufficient for the number of student fans the event attracts.

As of 2009, only three music bands have performed at the National Stadium: Dreams Come True, SMAP, and Arashi.

[edit] Access

Access to the stadium is from Sendagaya or Shinanomachi stations along the JR Chūō-Sōbu Line; from Kokuritsu Kyogijo Station on the Toei Oedo Line; and from Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.

See also Yoyogi National Gymnasium

[edit] External links

• Satellite photo of the stadium from Google Maps
• Stadiums in Japan:Tokyo National Stadium
• National Stadium
• National Stadium, Tokyo

Coordinates: 35°40′41″N 139°42′53″E / 35.67806°N 139.71472°E / 35.67806; 139.71472