Delayed by more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics are finally all set to commence from July 23.
Despite massive public opposition to the Games, Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, is in all readiness to host the biggest sports carnival on the planet.
And to organize a spectacle on such a large scale, Japan has left no stone unturned.
A total of 42 venues will be playing host to the best athletes from around the world.
Divided into two main areas — the Tokyo Bay Zone and the Heritage Zone — the venues are a culmination of previously existing, temporary and built from scratch sites.
And yes, they do come in all shapes and sizes.
We will be bringing you a thorough guide to all the Tokyo Olympic venues in the run up to the Games.
In part two of our series, we take a look at 10 more venues, which will host multiple events during the Tokyo Games: Kokugikan ArenaSumo wrestling is the national sport of Japan and the Kokugikan Arena is the spiritual home of it.
The indoor sporting arena located in the Yokoami neighborhood of Sumida has it’s interiors designed in a bowl shape, giving the spectators an easy view of the bouts taking place in the centre of the auditorium.
Kokugikan Arena (Getty Images)And this unique feature, allowing fans to get a perfect view of the action from wherever they are seated has landed Kokugikan Arena with the opportunity of hosting the boxing event during the Games.
The capacity of the Kokugikan Arena is roughly around 7,300.
Tokyo International ForumShaped like an elongated boat, the Tokyo International Forum is a multi-purpose exhibition centre with a capacity of 5,000 spectators.
Tokyo International Forum.
(Getty Images)Built on the site of the Old City Hall, the venue comprises eight main halls.
The Tokyo International Forum will be staging the weightlifting events.
Tokyo Metropolitan GymnasiumAnother legacy venue — the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, was first built in 1954 for the World Wrestling Championship and was later used during the 1964 Olympics as the host for gymnastics and water polo events.
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Getty Images)This time around, the 7,000-seater facility is set to host the Table Tennis events.
Musashino Forest Sport PlazaSet to host the badminton and the modern pentathlon events, the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, with a capacity of 7,200 spectators will be buzzing throughout the span of the Olympic Games.
Musashino Forest Sport Plaza (Getty Images)The multi-purpose new sports venue, situated in Chofu — a city in the Tokyo Metropolis — was the first among the new venues to be completed for the Games.
Equestrian ParkThe 9,300-capacity Equestrian Park is a legacy venue that hosted the equestrian competitions during the Tokyo 1964 Games.
Equestrian Park (Getty Images)The park, which currently serves as a main centre for the promotion of horse riding and equestrian competitions, will once again be hosting the equestrian disciplines during the upcoming Games.
Makuhari Messe HallLocated in the Mihama-ku ward of Chiba City, the Makuhari Messe Hall comprises three major zones – the International Exhibition Hall, the International Conference Hall and the Makuhari Event Hall.
Makuhari Messe Hall (Credit: Olympics)The 10,000-capacity venue will be hosting fencing, taekwondo and wrestling events during the upcoming Olympic Games.
Saitama Super ArenaConsidered to be one of the largest multi-purpose facilities in Japan, the 21,000-capacity Saitama Super Arena will be staging the basketball events during the Games.
Saitama Super Arena (Getty Images)Officially opened on September 1, 2000, the indoor arena is the second largest in the world and has earlier hosted numerous sporting events and concerts.
Izu VelodromeThe 3,600-capacity indoor Izu Velodrome will be hosting the track cycling competitions during the Olympics.
Izu Velodrome (Getty Images)The 250m wooden cycling track, which opened in 2011 is the national training center and has seen countless national and international competitions.
Yokohama Baseball StadiumOpened in 1978, Japan’s first ever multi-purpose stadium, Yokohama Baseball Stadium has a rich history of hosting some of the world’s best sporting and entertainment performances.
Yokohama Baseball Stadium (Getty Images)From Michael Jackson to Madonna performing at the stadium to some of the most memorable baseball games, the venue is now set to host it’s first-ever Olympics.
Located in Yokohama Park and home to one of Japan’s professional baseball teams — The Bay-star Tigers, the 35,000-capacity stadium will be hosting baseball games.
Fukushima Azuma Baseball StadiumThe Azuma Baseball Stadium is part of the Azuma Sports Park, which is located in Fukushima City.
Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium (AFP Photo)The Park is divided into four spaces — the Sports Area, the Nature Area, the Family Area and the History Area.
Baseball matches will be hosted at this venue during the Olympics.