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Nippon Budokan (日本武道館)
Budokan
Location	Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo, Japan
Built	1964
Opened	1964
Owner
Tenants
Capacity
14,201
Dimensions
Height: 42 m (140 ft)

The Nippon Budokan (日本武道館, Nippon Budōkan^?), often shortened to just "Budokan," is an arena in central Tokyo.

For many Westerners, the Budokan is synonymous with large-scale rock concerts. It was here that the Beatles made their Japanese debut and the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded. The Nippon Budokan, however, was originally built for the judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence its name, rendered into 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 14,201 people (arena seats: 2,762, 1st floor seats: 3,199, 2nd floor seats: 7,760, standee: 480) and is modeled after a hall in Hōryū-ji in Nara.

Nippon Budokan

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, shorinji kempo, kyūdō, naginata, 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 Beatles were the first rock group to perform here, in a series of shows in June/July 1966; their appearances were met with suitable opposition who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena. By 1978, however, the arena gained worldwide fame when American artists Bob Dylan and Cheap Trick used the arena to record their concert albums, Bob Dylan at Budokan (1978) and At Budokan (1979), respectively. In March 1980, ABBA performed there 6 shows as part of their world tour 1979/80 . British heavy metal band Judas Priest recorded their 1979 live album Unleashed in the East and 2006 live DVD Rising in the East at Budokan. Other US rock artists to appear at this venue include KISS, Linda Ronstadt, Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne (who filmed "Live at the Budokan"), The Smashing Pumpkins, and progressive metal band Dream Theater (2004) who recorded a live 2DVD/3CD Live at Budokan. On September 4th, 2006, R&B artist Beyoncé Knowles performed a number of songs off her B'Day album at the Budokan. Avril Lavigne has also performed at the Budokan, and has released a DVD of her performance there entitled "The Bonez Tour: Live In Budokan". Butch Walker also filmed a DVD "Live at Budokan" in 2005 as did Ozzy Osboure in 2002. On February 3, 14, 15 and 16, 1997, Canadian star Celine Dion performed her four Falling into You Tour concerts here. On May 29, New Jersy rock band My Chemical Romance performed one of their The Black Parade World Tour concerts at budokan Most of the bands who play Budokan do more than one night and so far Kiss has done the most nights with 5 straight sold out shows in 1978 during their Love Gun/Alive II Tour.

American crossover band SOD did not record their 1992 album Live at Budokan here, instead they recorded it in NYC. English rock band Oasis played a series of gigs there in 1997, one of which was broadcasted by MTV.

Some famous Japanese acts that have played at Budokan are Love Psychedelico, The GazettE, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Utada Hikaru, HYDE, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Morning Musume, m-flo, Do As Infinity, Ringo Shiina, Tokyo Jihen, Mizuki Nana, Siam Shade, YUI, and many more. Malice Mizer also recorded a DVD for their 2 Day tour at the Nippon Budokan, which contained a massive cathedral prop and and a choir of singers, veiled and dressed similar to that of Nuns.

A national ceremony to mourn the Second World 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.

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Nippon Budokan

• Nippon Budokan (Japanese)

Coordinates: 35°41′36″N, 139°45′00″E