Tokyo Dome

Tokyo Dome (東京ドーム, Tōkyō Dōmu) is an indoor stadium in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. It was designed as a baseball stadium following its predecessor, Korakuen Stadium (whose former site is now occupied by the Tokyo Dome Hotel and a plaza for this stadium).

Not to be confused with Tokyo Dome City Hall.
Tokyo Dome
東京ドーム
The Big Egg, Tokyo Big Egg
Location3, Koraku 1-chome, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Public transit
OwnerTokyo Dome Corporation[lower-alpha 1]
(Mitsui Fudosan (80%) and The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings (20%))
Capacity42,000–55,000 (events)[1]
45,600 (baseball)[2]
Field sizeFacility Capacity Area[3]

Site: 112,456 m2 (27.788 acres)
Building: 46,755 m2 (503,270 sq ft)
Internal height: 56 m (184 ft) Field: 13,000 m2 (140,000 sq ft)
Left/right field – 100 m (330 ft)
Left/right-center – 110 m (360 ft)
Center field – 122 m (400 ft)
Capacity: 1,240,000 m3 (43.8 million cubic feet)

SurfaceAstroTurf (1988–2002)
FieldTurf (2003–present)
Construction
OpenedMarch 17, 1988
ArchitectNikken Sekkei, Takenaka Corporation[4]
BuilderTakenaka Corporation[4]
Structural engineerNikken Sekkei,[5] Geiger Engineers
Tenants
Yomiuri Giants (NPB) (1988–present)
Nippon-Ham Fighters (NPB) (1988–2003)[6]

Construction

Construction on the stadium began on May 16, 1985, and it opened on March 17, 1988. It was built on the site of the Velodrome, adjacent to Korakuen Stadium and the Koishikawa-Kōrakuen garden. It has a maximum total capacity of 57,000 depending on configuration, with an all-seating configuration of 42,000.[7][6][8][9]

Tokyo Dome's original nickname was "The Big Egg", with some calling it the "Tokyo Big Egg".[10] Its dome-shaped roof is an air-supported structure, a cable-reinforced 0.8 mm flexible fiberglass membrane supported by slightly pressurizing the inside of the stadium[11] with 150,000 m3/hour[12] using independent blowers.[13] It was developed by Nikken Sekkei and Takenaka Corporation,[4] and modeled after the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.[10]

History

It is the home field of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. On March 18, 1988, the day after the Tokyo Dome opened, the Yomiuri Giants held a game which was the first event in the Tokyo Dome.[14] The Yomiuri Giants host about 70 games a year at their home stadium, Tokyo Dome, and other Nippon Professional Baseball teams sometimes host several games a year at the Tokyo Dome. If the Yomiuri Giants advance to the Climax Series or the Japan Series, additional games will be held at Tokyo Dome. Interleague play, in which the Yomiuri Giants participate, will also be held at the Tokyo Dome. In 2021, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows advanced to the Japan Series, but they held the Japan Series at Tokyo Dome instead of their home stadium, Meiji Jingu Stadium. This was because the Japan Series had to be rescheduled due to the spread of COVID-19 infectious disease, and the dates overlapped with the game days of amateur baseball tournaments at Meiji Jingu Stadium.[15][16][17] Tokyo Dome is also the location of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame which chronicles the history of baseball in Japan.[18]

It has also hosted international baseball tournaments such as the World Baseball Classic and WBSC Premier12, Major League Baseball, music concerts, basketball, American football, and association football games, as well as puroresu (pro-wrestling) matches, mixed martial arts events, kickboxing events, and monster truck races. It became the first Japanese venue with an American football attendance above 50,000.[19]

Tokyo Dome City
Main article: Tokyo Dome City

Tokyo Dome is part of a greater entertainment complex known as Tokyo Dome City, built of the grounds of the former Tokyo Koishikawa arsenal. Tokyo Dome City includes an amusement park and Tokyo Dome City Attractions (formerly Kōrakuen Grounds). This amusement park occupies the former Korakuen Stadium site and includes a roller coaster named Thunder Dolphin and a hubless Ferris wheel. The grounds also have an onsen called Spa LaQua, various shops, restaurants, video game centers, the largest JRA WINS horse race betting complex in Tokyo, and Oft Korakuen, which caters to rural horse races.

Notable events other than Japanese professional baseball
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome at night

International baseball tournaments and Major League Baseball

Tokyo Dome has been chosen as one of the baseball stadiums to hold international baseball tournaments since 2000s. The Tokyo Dome has been selected to host all five World Baseball Classics through 2023. It was also selected to host the finals of the WBSC Premier 12, which was held twice.

The Tokyo Dome has held various Major League Baseball games to open the seasons, with the first series—a two-game slate between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets in 2000—being the first time American MLB teams have played regular season games in Asia. Four years later, the New York Yankees, featuring former Yomiuri Giants slugger/outfielder Hideki Matsui in their lineup, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays played two games in the stadium to start the 2004 season. The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics opened the 2008 MLB season in Japan, and also competed against Japanese teams.[20][21] To open the 2012 season the Seattle Mariners and the Athletics, the former of which had Ichiro Suzuki, played a two-game series on March 28–29. In game one Seattle – led by Ichiro's 4 hits – won 3–1 in 11 innings.[22] The Mariners and Athletics returned to the Tokyo Dome for a two-game series to begin the 2019 Major League Baseball season, with Ichiro retiring from professional baseball after the second game.[23][24]

Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Attendance
March 29, 2000Chicago Cubs5–3New York Mets55,000
March 30, 2000New York Mets5–1Chicago Cubs55,000
March 30, 2004Tampa Bay Devil Rays8–3New York Yankees55,000
March 31, 2004New York Yankees12–1Tampa Bay Devil Rays55,000
March 25, 2008Boston Red Sox6–5Oakland Athletics44,628
March 26, 2008Oakland Athletics5–1Boston Red Sox44,735
March 28, 2012Seattle Mariners3–1Oakland Athletics44,227
March 29, 2012Oakland Athletics4–1Seattle Mariners43,391
March 20, 2019Seattle Mariners9–7Oakland Athletics45,787
March 21, 2019Seattle Mariners5–4Oakland Athletics46,451

Concerts

The Tokyo Dome Corporation publishes a list of singers and music groups that have performed since its opening in 1988. The Alfee held its first concert at Tokyo Dome on March 19, 1988, and March 20, two days after the dome opened. On March 22, 1988, and March 23, Mick Jagger became the first non-Japanese to perform at the Tokyo Dome.[25]

Concerts have been held at the Tokyo Dome for several dozen days each year since its opening, mainly by Japanese singers and music groups. According to official statistics from its opening in 1988 to May 2023, KinKi Kids held the most solo concerts at Tokyo Dome for 64 days, followed by Arashi for 58 days and Kanjani Eight for 41 days. All of them were male idol groups from Johnny & Associates. Among non-Japanese, The Rolling Stones and TVXQ held the most solo concerts for 28 days, followed by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney for 21 days.[25]

Professional wrestling
See also: Professional wrestling at the Tokyo Dome

New Japan Pro-Wrestling has held a professional wrestling event at Tokyo Dome, currently titled Wrestle Kingdom, on January 4 of each year, since 1992. The event expanded in 2020 to two nights, with the second night on January 5. The event is the biggest in Japanese professional wrestling, and has been compared to WWE's flagship U.S. event WrestleMania in terms of size and significance.[26] Other companies such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and WWE had previously held major events in the Tokyo Dome as well.

Boxing

In boxing, Mike Tyson fought twice in Tokyo Dome — a successful undisputed title defense against Tony Tubbs in 1988, and in a loss considered to be one of the biggest upsets in sports history to James "Buster" Douglas in 1990.

Kickboxing

The final round of the K-1 World Grand Prix kickboxing tournament was held at the Tokyo Dome from 1997 to 2006.

Mixed martial arts

The Tokyo Dome hosted seven Pride FC mixed martial arts fights: Pride 1, Pride 4, Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round, Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals, Pride 17, Pride 23, and Pride Final Conflict 2003. The last event had an attendance of 67,451.

American football
See also: List of National Football League games played outside the United States

As part of the American Bowl, the Tokyo Dome held 13 National Football League preseason games between 1989 and 2005.[27] In the 1996 game between the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, three Japanese linebackers – Takuro Abe, Shigemasa Ito, and Takahiro Ikenoue of the World League of American Football – became the first Japanese players to participate in an NFL game; Abe and Ito sporadically appeared on special teams for the Chargers, while Ikenoue was part of the Steelers' defense.[28]

Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Attendance
August 6, 1989Los Angeles Rams16–13
(OT)		San Francisco 49ers43,896
August 5, 1990Denver Broncos10–7Seattle Seahawks48,827
August 4, 1991Miami Dolphins19–17Los Angeles Raiders-
August 2, 1992Houston Oilers34–23Dallas Cowboys-
August 1, 1993New Orleans Saints28–16Philadelphia Eagles-
August 7, 1994Minnesota Vikings17–9Kansas City Chiefs49,555
August 6, 1995Denver Broncos24–10San Francisco 49ers-
July 28, 1996San Diego Chargers20–10Pittsburgh Steelers-
August 2, 1998Green Bay Packers27–24
(OT)		Kansas City Chiefs42,018
August 6, 2000Atlanta Falcons27–24Dallas Cowboys-
August 2, 2003Tampa Bay Buccaneers30–14New York Jets-
August 6, 2005Atlanta Falcons27–21Indianapolis Colts45,203

Association football

In 1993, Aston Villa played Verdy Kawasaki in a friendly match.

Monster truck rallies

In 1989, the United States Hot Rod Association hosted one of the first monster truck rallies outside North America at the Tokyo Dome.

Figure skating

In December 2022, Japanese figure skater and two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu, announced to hold a solo ice show named Gift at the Tokyo Dome on February 26, 2023.[29] His show marked the first time that an ice rink was set up at the multipurpose venue.[30] The show was directed in collaboration with Japanese choreographer Mikiko.[31]

See also

References
  1. 株式会社東京ドーム, Kabushiki gaisha Tōkyō Dōmu, formerly Korakuen Stadium Company, Ltd. (株式会社後楽園スタヂアム, Kabushiki gaisha Kōrakuen Sutajiumu)
  1. "東京ドームシティ｜野球情報｜施設規模". Tokyo-dome.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  2. "ヤフオクドーム大規模改修で最大収容４万人超え ４球場が大台に/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online.
  3. "Tokyo Dome City Web Site – Architectural Features". Archived from the original on 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  4. "Tokyo Dome". Takenaka Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. 我が国の近現代建築に関わる構造資料及びその電子化継承に関する調査 令和3 度報書 (PDF) (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. March 2022. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  6. "Basketball Passport - Tokyo Dome". Archived from the original on 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  7. 東京ドームの歴史(～2005年) (in Japanese). Tokyo Dome Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021.
  8. "Guides app - Lonely Planet's newest app". Touristeye.com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  9. "Tokyo Dome". PURORESU.wiki. 1988-03-17. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  10. Haberman, Clyde - Amid Some Doubts, a Tokyo Dome. New York Times, March 23, 1988
  11. "Tokyo Dome 'Bigg Egg'". www.tensinet.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023.
  12. Takai, Hiroaki (2014). Planning outline and analysis of actual energy operational performance from completion to present in Japanese and foreign large domes and stadiums — Tokyo Dome, Fukuoka Dome, Odate Dome, Sapporo Dome, Kaohsiung Stadium (PDF). World Sustainable Building. ISBN 978-84-697-1815-5.
  13. Hideki, Magara (1 May 1987). "Tokyo Dome "Big Egg", Tokyo (Japan)". doi:10.5169/seals-20372. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. 東京ドームが開業30周年 今や“死語”のビッグエッグ元年を振り返る (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022.
  15. 2022年 東京ドーム巨人戦試合日程表 (PDF) (in Japanese). Tokyo Dome Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2022.
  16. 読売ジャイアンツ (in Japanese). プロ野球フリーク. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022.
  17. ヤクルト日本シリーズは神宮大会と重なり東京ドームで3～5戦戦 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 13 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021.
  18. "The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum". The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. 21 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022.
  19. Attendance again far from sellout in Tokyo | Amarillo.com | Amarillo Globe-News
  20. "Red Sox, A's Japan-bound in 2008". Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  21. "Moss, Manny fuel comeback". Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  22. "Seattle Mariners Oakland athletics open 2012 season Tokyo" ESPN.
  23. Mike Chiari (March 21, 2019). "Legend Ichiro Suzuki Retiring After Nearly 30 Years in MLB, Japan". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  24. Johns, Greg (March 21, 2019). "Ichiro announces retirement after emotional finale". MLB.com. MLB. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  25. 東京ドーム公演アーティスト一覧 (in Japanese). Tokyo Dome Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023.
  26. Bixenspan, David (2018-01-03). "Japan's Version Of WrestleMania Is Striving For A U.S. Audience Tonight". Deadspin. Gizmodo Media Group. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  27. Nagatsuka, Kaz (February 4, 2015). "Fans want NFL return". The Japan Times. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  28. Landers, Jack (July 29, 1996). "Three make Japanese history as first to play in NFL game". Deseret News. AP. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  29. Kano, Shintaro (December 7, 2022). "Hanyu Yuzuru to rock Tokyo Dome in February". International Olympic Committee. Lausanne. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022.
  30. 羽生結弦さん「贈り物を受け取りに来てください」２・２６アイスショー「ＧＩＦＴ」東京Ｄ開催サプライズ発表 [Yuzuru Hanyu "Come and Receive a Gift" Surprise announcement of ice show "GIFT" at Tokyo Dome on 2.26]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Minato, Tokyo. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022.
  31. "Figure skating: Yuzuru Hanyu to perform at Tokyo Dome next Feb". Kyodo News. Minato, Tokyo. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022.
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