Arena,
YOKOHAMA BUNTAI

The Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium, Transformed into YOKOHAMA BUNTAI.

Opened in 1962 as a commemorative project for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama, Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium has long been a beloved venue for international sports events, concerts by domestic and international artists, and civic activities such as entrance, graduation, and coming-of-age ceremonies at nearby schools. The decision to rebuild was made amid aging and insufficient facilities, and the Yokohama Budokan sub-arena opened first in 2020. Four years later, in April 2024, the long-awaited opening of the main YOKOHAMA BUNTAI arena took place. It serves as a new hub for sports, entertainment, and culture.
The arena is approximately 2,560 square meters in size, with a ceiling height of approximately 14.5 meters. By using a bare concrete finish for the floor, the arena can accommodate a wider range of events. Additionally, trucks can be driven directly onto the floor for loading and unloading, significantly reducing installation time.
To ensure that the court and stage can be seen easily from all 5,000 seats, seat specifications were determined after extensive testing to determine placement and tiered floor height. There are three types of seats in total. These include the Retractable Seating System and Stacking Chairs, which can be adjusted based on the event, as well as permanently installed stand seating.

Retractable Seating System for Both Seat Comfort and Easy Setup

The semi-automatic Retractable Seating System was selected. Normally stored on the four walls of the arena surface, it can be deployed only where needed for an event to create flexible stepped audience seating. After pressing the remote switch to deploy the step floor electrically from the wall, the operator manually moves each seat. The seat is equipped with a damper that reduces the weight of the seat during operation, so it weighs less than it actually does when standing up and falls slowly when tipping over, making it safe for anyone to operate regardless of strength.
Considering the wide range of customers and the long seating time, the CS01 seating was chosen for its high cushioning, with both the back and seat upholstered in urethane. The exterior upholstery is made of highly durable three-dimensional mesh, which is light, comfortable to the touch, and breathable. Each seat has a width of 500-530 mm. The high cushioning and the slightly reclined backrest angle provide a comfortable seating experience. When unoccupied, the seats fold up vertically and fit snugly together, maximizing aisle space and allowing easy movement.
The last row of the Retractable Seating System is connected to the front row of the permanent stands, enhancing the sense of unity in the seating area. This allows for a smooth entry and exit to and from the spectator area.

Stand Seating for Easy Viewing and Group Enjoyment

The U-shaped stand seating features the BLM-8000 series seats, which have been popular in many stadiums and arenas since their launch in 2015. Blow-molded from high-density polyethylene, the seat shell has a double-shell hollow structure for excellent impact resistance. The 3D curved seat provides a perfect fit to the seated person's body, and the proper amount of cushioning creates a comfortable seating position. The backrest is padded with the same material as the Retractable Seating System, achieving the same level of comfort and unity. The depth of the chairs when unoccupied is 250 mm. The seat flips up into a compact position to create a wide aisle. For better visibility, significant height differences have been incorporated between the front and back of each seating block.
In one corner above the stand, there is sofa seating for groups to enjoy around the table, and behind it is counter seating. The atmosphere in this area is different from that of regular seating, and visitors can watch and enjoy the games while eating, drinking, and chatting with their friends.

Luxurious Balcony Seating Found Only in VIP Rooms

The VIP floor has one suite and six box rooms. Balcony seats overlooking the entire arena line the front of each private room for dining and business meetings. The AllWe VSS-031 series, known for its stylish design, is installed with wide spacing between seats, offering spacious, independent seating. With a larger backrest than the standard seat and armrests on each side, these seats offer an exceptionally relaxing seating experience. All seats are equipped with cupholders so that you can enjoy both eating and drinking.

Facility Overview

YOKOHAMA BUNTAI was built on the site of the former Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium, which was more than 50 years old. Together with the previously opened Yokohama Budokan, this is a leading project for revitalizing the Kannai and Kangai areas following the relocation of the Yokohama City Hall. The building’s symbolic exterior was inspired by the image of sails fluttering in Yokohama’s sea breeze. The floor of the outdoor staircase leading from the main entrance to the second floor is engraved with the names of many events held at the Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium, symbolizing the hopes for the future of YOKOHAMA BUNTAI, a venue loved by artists, athletes, and citizens alike.

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