Nippon Budokan (日本武道館, Nippon Budōkan), often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.
The Budokan was the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded, including those of Bob Dylan, Cheap Trick, Dream Theater and Ozzy Osbourne. The Nippon Budokan, however, was originally built for the judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence its name, which translates in English as Martial Arts Hall.
The Nippon Budokan is located in Kitanomaru Park in the center of Tokyo, two minutes' walking distance from Kudanshita Subway Station, and near Yasukuni Shrine. This 42 m (140 ft) high imposing octagonal structure holds 14,471 people (arena seats: 2,946, 1st floor seats: 3,199, 2nd floor seats: 7,846, standee: 480). The building is modeled after Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) in Hōryū-ji in Nara.
Though it still functions as a venue for big musical events, its primary purpose is for Japanese martial arts. The national championships of the different branches of the martial arts (judo, kendo, karate, aikido, etc.) are held annually at the Budokan. For wrestling fans the Budokan means professional wrestling's big shows. Now, the Budokan is mostly used by Pro Wrestling Noah, who often hold major events there.
The Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki hybrid rules fight held at the Budokan in 1976 is seen as a forerunner to mixed martial arts. K-1, Shooto and Pride Fighting Championships have all held events at the arena.
The Beatles were the first rock group to perform here, in a series of shows in June/July 1966. Their appearances were met with opposition from those who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena.
In July 1973 Japanese television recorded the Santana performance at Budokan.
However, the Budokan gained worldwide fame when American artists Cheap Trick and Bob Dylan used the arena to record their performances, Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978) and Bob Dylan at Budokan (1979), respectively. In explaining the popularity of the venue for live albums, Eric Clapton described the Tokyo audience as "almost overappreciative" in interviews promoting Just One Night (1980), his own live album recorded at Budokan.
Artists to release live recordings from this venue include:
Uriah Heep; 1973, (Live concert filmed on 16mm for television. DVD versions available)Deep Purple; 1972; for the last of the three concerts making up their Made in Japan live album.The Carpenters; 1974; The Carpenter - Live At Budokan 1974Rainbow; 12/16/1976; On Stage Rainbow performed here both afternoon and evening shows at 3:00pm and 6:00 p.m.Bay City Rollers; 1977; Rollerworld, Live at the Budokan 1977, released as Rollerworld: Live at the Budokan 1977 in 2001.Cheap Trick; 1978; Cheap Trick at BudokanIan Gillan Band; 1977–1978; Live at the Budokan (Vols. 1-2).Eric Clapton; December 1979; Just One Night.Diana Ross; 1977; "An Evening with Diana Ross" concert was videotaped during her 1977 tour.Bob Dylan; 1979; Bob Dylan at Budokan, recorded during his 1978 world tour.Sadao Watanabe; 1980; How's Everything.Yellow Magic Orchestra; 1980; Live At Budokan 1980, recorded 1980, released 1993.Quincy Jones; 1981; Quincy Jones Live at the Budokan.Dave Grusin; 1983; Dave Grusin and the NY-LA Dream Band.Michael Schenker Group; 1982; One Night at Budokan.Asia; 1983; Live at Budokan, Asia in Asia.Frank Sinatra; 1985; Live at the Budokan Hall, TokyoIron Maiden; 1987, "Somewhere on tour"Tin Machine; 1992; who recorded a portion of Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby, during the It's My Life Tour.Skid Row (American band) Skid Row - Live at Budokan, Tokyo 1992.Diana Ross, Tokyo 1992; " The Force Behind The Power World Tour "Doobie Brothers; 1993; Live at Budokan.Yngwie Malmsteen; 1994; video Live at Budokan 94, VHS/DVD.Blur; 1995-6; recorded a live compilation CD, Live at the Budokan, in 1995, at the height of Britpop; it was released in 1996.Chic; 1996; performance later released as Live at the Budōkan (1999). This was bassist Bernard Edwards's last performance; he died the next day.Diana Ross; 1996; " Take Me Higher World Tour "Prince; 1996 Prince performed 4 concerts during the year as the Artist formerly known as Prince.Mr. Big; 1997; recorded Live at Budokan in 1997 (and Back to Budokan in 2009).Oasis; 1998; Oasis performed 3 nights in a row during their Be Here Now tour.Puffy; 1998; Recorded Jet Tour '98 in support of the album Jet-CD.Journey; 1998; Recorded several songs from their Frontiers Tour in 1983 at the Budokan which was included on their live album Greatest Hits Live.Faye Wong; 1999; "Budokan Live" (for further information see: Faye Wong#1999: Venturing into Japan).Bryan Adams; 2000; Live at the Budokan.Morning Musume; 2000; DVD Morning Musume First Live at Budōkan: Dancing Love Site 2000 Haru (Also Sayaka Ichii's graduation from the group)Bay City Rollers; 2001; Rollerworld, Live at the Budokan 1977, released as Rollerworld: Live at the Budokan 1977 in 2001.Ozzy Osbourne; 2002; filmed CD/DVD combination Live at Budokan.Pearl Jam; 2003; recorded an official bootleg at Budokan during their Riot Act Tour (for further information see: Pearl Jam#Riot Act: 2002–2005).Duran Duran; July 11 + 12, 2003; played at Budokan; shows recorded liveMariah Carey; 2003; performed 3 concert shows, part of her Charmbracelet World Tour on July 6, 8 and the 10th.Incubus; March 3, 2004; performed at Budokan and show recorded as CD Live in Japan 2004 on June 1, 2004Dream Theater; 2004; 2DVD/3CD Live at Budokan.Hikaru Utada; July 28, 2004; video Utada Hikaru in Budokan 2004: Hikaru no 5.Judas Priest; 2005; DVD Rising in the East.Nana Mizuki; 2005; DVD Nana Mizuki Live Rainbow at Budokan.Avril Lavigne; 2005; DVD Live at Budokan: Bonez Tour, Bonez Tour.Hikaru Utada; 2006; video Utada United 2006 (Hikaru Utada discography#Video Releases)Nana Mizuki; 2006; DVD Nana Mizuki Livedom -Birth- at Budokan.Morning Musume; 2006; DVD Morning Musume Concert Tour 2006 Aki: Odore! Morning CurryThe Gazette; 2006; DVD Standing Live Tour 2006 [Nameless Liberty. Six Guns...] Tour Final at Nippon Budokan.TM Network; 2007; video TM Network -Remaster- at Nippon Budokan 2007.TVXQ; 2007; Tohoshinki 2nd Live Tour 2007: Five in the Black.Perfume; 2008; "Budokaaaaaaaaaan!!!!!".Joe Hisaishi; 2008; Joe Hisaishi in Budokan – 25 years with the Animations of Hayao Miyazaki.Flow; 2008; Flow Live Tour 2007–2008 'Isle' Final at Nippon BudokanMr. Big; 2009; live CD/DVD Back to Budokan.Dir En Grey; 2009; live DVD Uroboros: With the Proof in the Name of Living... At Nippon Budokan.AKB48; 2009; AKB104 Senbatsu Members Sokaku MatsuriThe Pillows; 2009; live DVD Lostman Go to Budokan.Backstreet Boys; February 18, 2010; recorded live DVD Backstreet Boys: This Is Us Japan Tour 2010 on the This Is Us Tour.Nico Touches the Walls; March 12, 2010; "Walls is Auroras" LIVE.Polysics; March 14, 2010; Budokan or Die!!!! 2010.3.14One Ok Rock; 2010; live DVD This Is My Budokan?!.Morning Musume; 2011; Ai Takahashi's graduation concert "Ai Believe ~Takahashi Ai Graduation Memory Special~.F.T. Island; 2011; Live In Budokan Summer Mesengger Tour.2PM; 2012;2PM Six Beautiful Day Live in BudokanMilky Holmes; 2012; Milky Holmes Live in BudokanLee Seung-gi; 2012; First Japan Live in Budokan Kidou (Hope).T-ara; 2012; Live in Budokan, recording of a concert performed as part of their Jewelry Box tourDream Morning Musume; March 10, 2012; Dream Morning Musume Special Live 2012 Nippon Budokan~Dai 1 Shou Shuumaku 'Yuusha tachi, Shuugou seyo'U-KISS; 2012; live DVD U-KISS Live In Budokan.Morning Musume; 2012; Risa Niigaki and Aika Mitsui's graduation concert Ultra Smart.Scandal; March 28, 2012; Japan Title Match Live 2012: Scandal vs BudokanSonar Pocket; August 3, 2012; Sonapokeizm Special - Natsu no Jin - in Nippon BudokanAcid Black Cherry; 2012; "Live DVD Acid Black Cherry Tour 『2012』".Spyair; December 18, 2012;Morning Musume; 2013; Reina Tanaka's graduation concert, Michishige☆Eleven Soul.°C-ute; 2013; Queen of J-Pop ~Tadoritsuita Onna Senshi~.AKB48; 2013; AKB48 Group Rinji Soukai "Shirokuro tsukeyou janai ka!"T-ara; 2013; T-ara Japan Tour 2013: Treasure Box.Morning Musume; 2013; ~Chance!~Berryz Kobo; 2013; Berryz Koubou 10 Shuunen Kinen Budokan Special Live ~Yappari Anata Nashi de wa Ikite Yukenai~AKB48 Group Research Students; 2013; AKB48 Group Kenkyuusei Concert ~Oshimen Hayai Mono Gachi~Super Junior KRY; 2013; Special Japan tour Super Junior K.R.Y. Special Winter Concert'Avril Lavigne; February 4 and 5, 2014: The Avril Lavigne TourBabymetal; March 1 and 2, 2014 ; Live at Budokan: Red Night & Black Night ApocalypseDir En Grey; March 8–9, 2014; Dum Spiro Spero at Nippon BudokanS/mileage; July 15, 2014; S/mileage Live 2014 Natsu Full Charge ~715 Nippon Budokan~Junho(from 2PM); August 12 and 13, 2014; "Feel" Solo Tour in Japan 2014Dish; January 1, 2015Silent Siren; January 17, 2015; Silent Siren Live Tour 2014–2015 Fuyu ~Budokan e Go! Siren Go!~ at BudokanOldcodex; February 11, 2015; "Capture" in BudokanKalafina; February 28, 2015; Kalafina Live Best 2015 "Red Day". March 1, 2015; Kalafina Live Best 2015 "Blue Day"The Gazette; March 3, 2015; 13th Anniversary Nippon BudokanKana-Boon; March 31, 2015Morning Musume; May 27, 2015; ~Gradation~.己龍 (Kiryu); July 31, 2015Hatsune Miku; September 4–5, 2015; Magical Mirai.Eir Aoi; November 2, 2015; Eir Aoi Special Live 2015 World of Blue at Nippon Budokan.Angerme; November 29, 2015, Angerme First Concert Tour 2015 Aki "Hyakka Ryouran" ~Fukuda Kanon Sotsugyou Special~.Morning Musume; December 7–8, 2015; ~Prism~.Dish; January 1–2, 2016; 4 Monkey Magic.Wagakki Band; January 6, 2016; Dai Shinnenkai 2016 Nippon Budokan -Akatsuki no Utage-.Scandal; January 12–13, 2016; SCANDAL ARENA TOUR 2015–2016 「PERFECT WORLD」Dir En Grey; February 5–6, 2016; Arche At Nippon BudokaniKon; February 15–16, 2016; iKoncert 2016: Showtime TourShouta Aoi; March 13, 2016; Wonder Lab. ~Bokutachi no Sign~Suzuko Mimori; October 27–28, 2016; Mimori Suzuko Live Tour 2016 "Grand Revue" Final at Nippon BudokanEir Aoi; November 4–5, 2016; Eir Aoi 5th Anniversary Special Live 2016 ～Last Blue～ at Nippon BudokanMy First Story; November 18, 2016; We're Just Waiting 4 You Tour 2016 Final at BudokanClariS; February 10, 2017; ClariS 1st Budōkan Concert ~Futatsu no Kamen to Ushinawareta Taiyō~ (ClariS 1st Budōkan Concert: Two Masks and the Lost Sun)Daimaou Kosaka (Piko-Taro); March 6, 2017; Pikotaro PPAPPT in Nippon BudokanAmerican crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death released a live album titled Live at Budokan (1992), though the title was in jest and the album was recorded at famed New York City venue The Ritz.
The original Beatles concert is heavily bootlegged on audio and video; the first night's concert video was officially released by Apple in Japan only as Beatles Concert at Budokan 1966, and excerpts are shown in The Beatles Anthology, while the second Anthology album included the first show's performances of "Rock and Roll Music" and "She's A Woman". The venue is one of the stages in The Beatles: Rock Band video game. Chatmonchy currently holds the record for the largest crowd at Budokan.
The National Memorial Service for War Dead is held with the attendance of the Prime Minister, the Emperor and the Empress annually in Budokan on August 15, the day of Japan's surrender.
As well as holding the Live Concert in appreciation of the Popular Anime series Lucky Star:Live in Budokan (Anata No Tame Dakara)
A concert was held in honor of Studio Ghibli's 25th anniversary at the Budokan, hosted by Joe Hisaishi. It included repertoire from most of the films Hisaishi composed for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli filmography.
Diana Ross performed and taped her "Here and Now" television special in 1991 to a sold out audience.
The Japan Record Awards took place in the arena from 1985 to 1993 where all of the artists from around the country receive these awards.
Muhammad Ali won a unanimous decision over Mac Foster in their 1972 heavyweight boxing match.
On August 27, 2011, Japan's three biggest professional wrestling promotions; All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah came together to produce a charity event titled All Together at the arena.
Professional wrestler and legend in Japan Kenta Kobashi wrestled his final match in Budokan on May 11, 2013. Kobashi is synonymous with the arena along with fellow wrestlers Toshiaki Kawada and the late Mitsuharu Misawa.
In November the Budokan is a 2 day-venue for the annual Japan Self-Defense Force Marching Festival, a yearly tradition and the nation's military tattoo first held here in 1978.
A fictional concert hall based on Nippon Budokan appeared in the music video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock under the name "Kaiju Megadome." The Beatles' appearance at Nippon Budokan was featured in The Beatles: Rock Band.
