Arena,
YOKOHAMA BUDOKAN

An arena in Yokohama Budokan supporting a wide variety of events

Completed in July 2020, Yokohama Budokan is the first full-scale martial arts hall in Yokohama City. The first floor of the four-story building houses a full-scale martial arts hall, while the second through fourth floors house a multi-purpose arena.
The 2,622 m² arena is designed to be used in a variety of ways, with four arena surfaces when all seating is expanded, and eight arena surfaces for judo and kendo matches when part of the seating is expanded or all seating is stowed. The arena floor surface is covered with sports flooring that can also be used for competitions other than martial arts, and a large video system is installed in the center of the ceiling. It is a space where people can gather for a variety of activities, from casual civic sports such as basketball and badminton to large-scale sporting tournaments and events.
The approximately 3,000 spectator seats consist of three types of chairs: retractable seating, fixed seats, and stacking chairs.

Retractable seating and stacking chairs for flexible venue creation

On the second floor, where the arena is located, retractable seating and stacking chairs can be laid out according to the event, creating a variety of seating patterns.
Retractable seating, designed to be stowed in the longer walls of the floor, can be extended for use during events. For this venue, two different types of retractable seating were adopted.
The first is a type fixed to the wall of the storage unit. The retractable seating, about 32 meters wide and the size of a basketball court, is divided into six blocks. By pulling out the tiers using the special handles, the chairs can be lifted up into place by hand. Although manually lifting the chair may seem to be a very strenuous task, it can be operated with light force thanks to a damper built into the structural part of the chair.
The second type allows the entire seating to be moved without fixing the main unit to the wall (mobile model). To set up, use a lifter cart to lift up and move the main body of the retractable seating. This helps create a flexible venue, as the seating layout can be changed in various ways depending on the competition or event.
The chairs are the CS-01 series, which combines a sporty-looking design with cushioned seating comfort. A thick pad of urethane foam is upholstered in a durable, easy-to-maintain mesh upholstery, providing a comfortable seating environment even during long spectating sessions. The armrests are equipped with optional cup holders, which work well for events that involve food and beverages, making the event more profitable.
For the stacking chairs, FC-303, developed as "stacking chairs for viewing," has been adopted. It can be used for multiple purposes, such as in front of retractable seating or as benches for players, depending on the event. It features a large curved backrest that conforms to the body and provides firm support for spectators' posture when watching sports with intense side-to-side movement.

Flexible seating space on the third floor by incorporating retractable seating

The spectator seating on the third floor consists of fixed and retractable seating.
Spectator seating space usually cannot be used for anything other than seating purposes, but we have created a space that can be used by more people by implementing special features into the design. This was made possible by the retractable seating installed on one of the long sides of the room.
While fixed seats are stable because they are firmly attached to the floor, they are not movable, making it difficult to make use of the space for multiple purposes. Therefore, it was decided to convert part of the space to retractable seating in order to use the space effectively for the events to be held. When the retractable seating is stored, a 53-meter-wide, 5.5-meter-deep flat floor space is created, which can be used effectively as a place for table tennis and other light physical activities, and exercise.
The chairs are VISION series, characterized by their slim shape. High-density polyethylene blow molded to fit the body for a smooth feel. A seat pad with urethane foam is attached to further enhance seating comfort. The row rise between the seats are set high, at 360 mm. The large slope makes it easier to see the competition from the rear seats. Since the chairs on the third floor are without armrests, cup holders are attached to the back of the seats in front.

A VIP area to enjoy the event in a luxurious atmosphere

Balcony seating for VIPs has been created on the fourth floor.
As spectators proceed through the entrance, they will find a dedicated lounge where they can enjoy food and beverages while watching the games. It is a luxurious space to relax and unwind during the event, as well as before and after.
Continue past the lounge to find exclusive balcony seating (VIP seats).
The VIP seats, which overlook the entire arena, are equipped with the VSS-011 series of chairs that completely envelop the entire body. Both the backrest and seat pan are upholstered in leather with thick urethane foam for superb seating comfort. Wide armrests with cup holders on the ends are attached to both sides for a relaxed viewing experience.

Facility Overview

Yokohama Budokan was constructed as part of the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium Redevelopment Project by the City of Yokohama. The Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium Redevelopment Project is a project to create a new center for sports promotion in Yokohama by utilizing the site of the former Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium and the site of the former Yokohama Sogo High School to build a main arena facility and sub-arena facility (Yokohama Budokan) to accommodate large-scale tournaments, concerts, and other entertainment events in addition to citizen use. This project will create a new base for the promotion of sports in Yokohama.
Built on the site of the former Yokohama Sogo High School, Yokohama Budokan is expected to be used not only for martial arts events but also as a venue for gymnastics, table tennis, professional wrestling, and other events, thus going beyond the boundaries of a conventional martial arts hall.

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