Nippon Budōkan

Nippon Budokan in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward is a martial arts arena built for the 1964 Summer Olympics as the venue for the first-ever Olympic judo tournament. Architect Mamoru Yamada designed the octagonal building, whose curving copper roof was modelled on the Yumedono hall at Horyu-ji temple. The arena seats around 14000 and stands in Kitanomaru Park, just north of the Imperial Palace. Beyond judo and karate championships it earned international fame as a rock concert venue: the Beatles played here in 1966, sparking political debate over the desecration of a sacred martial arts hall; later came Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Cheap Trick (whose Live at Budokan became a legendary live album) and Eagles. The official national memorial service for the end of World War II is held here every 15 August.