HELSPO HUB-3 Arena,
Toyo University AKABANEDAI CAMPUS

A new sports and education complex opens at Toyo University Akabanedai Campus

In January 2023, Toyo University completed a new academic complex featuring state-of-the-art sports facilities at its Akabanedai Campus.
Named HELSPO HUB-3, the facility comprises two buildings: a four-story Arena & Dining Hall (plus one basement level) and a six-story Library Building. In addition to existing training spaces, the Arena & Dining Hall includes areas for urban sports such as bouldering, as well as specialized laboratories and practical training rooms for education and research in health, sports science, and nutritional science.

Located across the street is WELLB HUB-2, the educational and research hub for the Faculty of Design for Welfare Society. A glass sky bridge on the third floor connects the two buildings, enabling safe and seamless movement between them while establishing a new circulation path distinct from ground-level traffic.
Occupying the third and fourth floors of the Arena & Dining Hall, the arena spans 2,163.63 m²—large enough to accommodate three basketball courts. Its hybrid roof, combining steel beams with wooden elements, creates a bright, dynamic environment with a sense of warmth.

Kotobuki Seating supplied both the Retractable Seating Systems on the third floor and the fixed spectator seating on the fourth.

Retractable Seating System supports multipurpose use

Toyo University has a strong sports culture and a proud history of producing Olympic medalists.
The new arena was designed for a wide range of uses—from daily physical education classes and club activities to intercollegiate competitions—necessitating a layout that could adapt quickly while offering spectator seating.

To meet these needs, Retractable Seating Systems were installed around all four sides of the third-floor arena. These tiered seats allow spectators to enjoy matches from any angle with an immersive viewing experience.
The semi-automatic model enables the main platform to be deployed or retracted with remote switch, while a total of 864 seats are folded manually. Combined with the fixed seating on the fourth floor, the arena accommodates up to 1,712 spectators.
The front panels of the retractable units are designed to blend seamlessly with the hall’s interior walls when retracted, maintaining a clean, cohesive appearance.

Sophisticated seating with comfort and function

Both the retractable and fixed seating feature the CS01 model, which offers a sporty design and generous cushioning for comfort.
When unoccupied, the seat smoothly folds up against the backrest, maintaining a slim profile that maximizes aisle width and facilitates crowd movement.

Upholstered in breathable, high-performance mesh, the seats stay comfortable even during long events by promoting airflow. The use of a muted gray tone throughout enhances the space’s modern and unified aesthetic.
Each seat is also equipped with a built-in cup holder on the armrest, improving usability for spectators attending games or performances.

With the addition of these Retractable Seating Systems, the HELSPO HUB-3 arena is now capable of hosting full-scale sports competitions on campus. In June 2023, it served as the venue for a T.League singles tournament.
Designed to accommodate both athletes and audiences, the arena supports a wide range of uses—from academic classes to extracurricular events—and is expected to become a key site for community revitalization through partnerships with Kita City.

Facility overview

In conjunction with a departmental reorganization, Toyo University’s Akabanedai Campus launched two new faculties and five departments in 2023: Faculty of Design for Welfare Society and Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences.
In collaboration with the existing Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation and Design (INIAD) and local municipalities, the campus actively contributes to solving social challenges.
The name HELSPO HUB-3 is derived from “Health and Sports Sciences,” reflecting the university’s vision of becoming a leading hub for health, sports, and nutritional science education and research in Asia.
Deeply connected to the surrounding community, the campus features multiple pedestrian-friendly access routes through nearby greenways. Facilities such as the cafeteria, café, and convenience store are open to the public, encouraging everyday interaction between students and local residents.

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