Musashino Forest Sport Plaza

Musashino Forest Sport Plaza
Name	Musashino Forest Sport Plaza
Native name	武蔵野の森総合スポーツプラザ
Location	Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan
Opened	2017
Architect	Nikken Sekkei
Capacity	10,000 (main arena)
Owner	Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Musashino Forest Sport Plaza is a multi-purpose sports complex located in Chōfu, Tokyo, completed in 2017 to host events for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The facility was developed through collaboration between local and national institutions including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japan Sport Council, and international consultants, and serves amateur and professional events across a range of sports and cultural activities. It integrates modern arena design with community access, and has been used alongside venues such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Ariake Arena, Nippon Budokan, Saitama Super Arena, and Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Overview

The plaza occupies a site near the Chōfu city center and the Musashino region, positioned in proximity to landmarks such as Fuchū and Mitaka and transport hubs including Chōfu Station and Seibuen Station. Built as part of Tokyo’s preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics, the complex complements venues like Olympic Stadium (Tokyo) and Tokyo Aquatics Centre. The project involved stakeholders including the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Japan Volleyball Association, the Japan Basketball Association, and regional authorities from Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

Design and Architecture

Nikken Sekkei led the architectural design, drawing on precedents from projects by firms such as Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, and Santiago Calatrava. Structural engineering incorporated methods associated with Takenaka Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, Kajima Corporation, and Obayashi Corporation. Landscape integration referenced parks like Inokashira Park and urban planning principles used in Roppongi Hills and Shibuya Scramble Square. Sustainability and seismic resilience were informed by research from institutions including the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, and Waseda University. The roof and envelope design reflect techniques used in Saitama Super Arena and Beijing National Stadium, while building services were coordinated with contractors experienced on projects for Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport, and Tokyo Skytree.

Facilities and Venues

The complex contains a main arena, sub-arena, training rooms, aquatics facilities, and multipurpose halls similar in function to spaces at Nippon Budokan, Osaka-Jo Hall, Makuhari Messe, and Saitama Arena. The main arena seats up to 10,000 and is outfitted for sports like volleyball, handball, basketball, and badminton, aligning with standards of the FIVB, International Handball Federation, FIBA, and Badminton World Federation. Support facilities include medical rooms with protocols based on guidance from the Japanese Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, and Japan Anti-Doping Agency. The venue’s technology systems draw on audiovisual and broadcast practices used by NHK, Fuji Television, TV Asahi, and Nippon TV for event coverage.

Events and Usage

During the 2020 Summer Olympics, the plaza hosted competitions including tournament matches alongside venues such as Ariake Arena and Nippon Budokan. It has accommodated national championships organized by federations like the Japan Volleyball Association, Japan Handball Association, and Japan Basketball Association, and international fixtures sanctioned by FIVB, FIBA, and IHF. Beyond sport, the facility has been used for concerts and exhibitions similar to events at Saitama Super Arena, Makuhari Messe, and Tokyo Dome, attracting performers represented by agencies such as Johnny & Associates, Avex Group, and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Community programming has involved partnerships with the Japan Sports Agency, local schools affiliated with Chōfu City Board of Education, and universities like Hitotsubashi University and Musashino Art University.

Transportation and Access

Access is provided via rail and road connections including Chōfu Station on the JR East network and expressways managed by Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. Bus services operated by Keio Bus and Toei Bus connect to nearby nodes such as Chōfu Police Station, Fuda, and Kokuryō Station. The venue’s proximity to Haneda Airport and connections through Seibu Railway and Keio Corporation facilitate regional and international access, while cycling and pedestrian routes tie into networks around Inagi and Koganei.

Legacy and Impact

The plaza contributes to Tokyo’s post-Olympic venue legacy, complementing cultural and sporting infrastructure like the National Stadium (Tokyo), Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and Yoyogi National Gymnasium. It supports grassroots development through collaborations with organizations such as the Japan Sports Council, Japan Olympic Committee, and local NGOs, and has influenced urban regeneration strategies examined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and academic studies at University of Tokyo and Waseda University. The facility’s role in disaster preparedness and community resilience has been discussed in municipal plans alongside assets like Tokyo Fire Department facilities and regional shelters coordinated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs.

Category:Sports venues in Tokyo Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2017