This is a big stadium in Japan.
It is made with much wood.
The wood comes from all over Japan.
People play sports there.
They watch games and listen to music.
It is a very special place.
Do you like big stadiums?
The National Stadium is in Tokyo, Japan.
It was built for the 2020 Olympic Games.
This big building uses a lot of wood. The wood comes from all 47 parts of Japan. This helps the earth.
Rain falls on the roof. The water goes into tanks. Then, the water helps the green grass grow.
Many people go there to watch sports. They watch rugby and football games. People also go to hear music.
It is a grand place for fans.
The Japan National Stadium is a big sports home in Tokyo.
It was built for the 2020 Summer Olympics. People use it for track and field events. It is also a place for football and rugby.
This building is special because it uses much wood. The wood comes from all 47 prefectures of Japan. Using local wood helps the earth. Many parts of the wood are modular. This means they can be replaced if they wear out. The roof also helps the building. It has solar panels to catch light. It also catches rain. That water goes into tanks to water the grass.
The stadium can hold many fans. It has a fixed capacity of 68,089 people. It can hold up to 80,016 people with extra seats. This happens during big games like the Rugby World Cup. The stadium is also a place for music. Many famous singers hold big concerts there. It is a grand place for sports and song.
The Japan National Stadium is a grand home for sports and music in Tokyo.
It was built to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. People visit to watch track and field events or exciting football matches. It is also a place where fans gather for rugby union games. Many famous singers use the large space for big concerts. This stadium is a special landmark for the people of Japan.
The building uses a very clever way to work with nature. It uses a lot of timber as a main part of the structure. This wood comes from all 47 prefectures of Japan to help the environment. Many wooden parts are modular, so they can be replaced if they wear out. The roof has transparent solar panels to catch sunlight for energy. It also catches rainwater to store in underground tanks. This water is used to water the grass and the many plants on the top level.
The history of this stadium involved many big changes and many different ideas. In February 2012, the government decided to build a new stadium for the Olympics. At first, a British architect named Zaha Hadid had a design with a retractable roof. However, the government changed the plans because of the high costs. They wanted a design that was more affordable for the country. In December 2015, the Japan Sport Council chose a new plan. This new design was made by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and the Taisei Corporation.
There are many interesting numbers to know about this huge place. The stadium has a fixed capacity of 68,089 people for track events. It can expand to hold 80,016 people by adding temporary seats. This extra space was used during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The construction of the new stadium began in December 2016. It was finished and handed over in November 2019. The very first sporting event held there was the 2019 Emperor's Cup final.
You might recognize the stadium from seeing major global events on TV. It was the center for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. Even though the 2020 Games were held without fans due to the pandemic, the stadium remained a vital site. It connects to the world of music through many large shows. For example, artists like Ado and Snow Man have performed there. It also connects to the local community through many football matches. The stadium remains a busy and important part of Tokyo life.
The Japan National Stadium is a massive multipurpose venue located in Tokyo.
It serves as a primary home for major international sporting events and large-scale musical performances. Originally constructed for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. It also served as the main site for track and field athletics. Today, the stadium is a vital center for association football and rugby union. It acts as a landmark that brings people together for shared cultural experiences.
The stadium uses a unique architectural method that relies heavily on timber.
Much of the wood is modular, which means parts can be replaced if they deteriorate. This wood is sourced from all 47 prefectures of Japan to reduce environmental impact. The design of the eaves was inspired by the Hōryū-ji temple. These eaves incorporate air spaces to use prevailing winds for natural ventilation. The roof also features transparent solar panels to capture energy from the sun. Additionally, the structure collects rainwater in underground cisterns to irrigate the arena turf and promenade plants.
The stadium features different seating capacities depending on the type of event held. In its standard athletics mode, the fixed capacity is 68,089 people. However, the venue can expand to a total of 80,016 people. This is achieved by installing temporary seating over the permanent athletics track. This expanded capacity was utilized during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. For the Olympic Games, the capacity was originally planned at 60,102 to account for press and broadcasting equipment. During the Paralympics, the capacity was lowered to 57,750 to allow for more handicap accessible seating.
The history of the stadium involved significant changes to its design and budget. In February 2012, the Japanese government announced the reconstruction of the National Olympic Stadium. The original design was created by British architect Zaha Hadid. It featured a retractable roof and two massive steel arches. However, the government scrapped this plan in 2015 due to high costs and public discontent. Critics like Toyo Ito and Fumihiko Maki also expressed concerns about the design. Ultimately, the government sought a new bid that was more affordable.
In December 2015, the Japan Sport Council selected a new design team. This team included Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and the Taisei Corporation. Construction officially began in December 2016. The project was completed and handed over to the International Olympic Committee in November 2019. The stadium's inaugural sporting event was the 2019 Emperor's Cup final on January 1, 2020.
While the 2020 Olympics were held without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue remained a central part of the Games.
There are several notable examples of the events held at this venue. The stadium has hosted major rugby matches, such as the Classic between Meiji University and Waseda University.
It is also a popular location for music, hosting acts like Ado and Snow Man. In May 2023, it hosted J. League matches to celebrate a 30th anniversary. The venue has also hosted many international football friendlies with high attendance. For instance, a friendly match in January 2024 drew 61,916 spectators. The stadium is currently bidding to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
The stadium connects to several broader systems, including environmental science and urban planning. By using domestic timber, the project supports local industries and reduces carbon footprints. The integration of solar panels and rainwater harvesting shows how large buildings can manage resources. The focus on accessibility provides over 450 spaces for wheelchair users. This ensures the venue is inclusive for all members of the public. As the stadium moves toward new ownership and naming rights, it remains a key part of Tokyo's infrastructure.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (4)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.