M-Wave

The 1997 World Allround Speed Skating Championships were held between February 14 and 16, 1997 at the M-Wave. The Allround Speed Skating Championships are annual speed skating championships. Over two days, skaters race the 500m and 1000m on two days each, each once in the inner lane and once in the outer lane, for both races. The 1997 event was held as a test event for M-Wave in preparation for the 1998 Winter Olympics. The women's medalists were Gunda Niemann - gold, Claudia Pechstein - silver, and Tonny de Jong - bronze. The men's medalists were Ids Postma - gold, Keiji Shirahata - silver, and Frank Dittrich - bronze.

During the 1998 Winter Olympics, M-Wave hosted the long—track speed skating events between 8 February and 20 February. In all, ten events were contested, five each in women's and men's speed skating: 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and 5000m for both men and mown, and 3000m for women and 10,000m for men.

A total of 25 nations participated in long-track speed skating at these games, with eight nations winning medals, including the Netherlands with eleven, Germany with six, Canada with five, and host nation Japan with three.

Nine athletes were multiple medal winners. Both Marianne Timmer and Gianni Romme won two gold medals each. Both Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann and Rintje Ritsma won three medals each. Other multiple medal winners were Catriona Le May Doan, Claudia Pechstein, Chris Witty, Ids Postma, and Hiroyasu Shimizu.

Five world records and twelve Olympic records were set at the M-Wave during the 1998 Winter Olympics. The world records were set by Marianne Timmer (1500m), Claudia Pechstein (5000m), Gianni Romme (5000m and 10000m), and Ådne Søndrål (1500m).

During the 1998 Winter Paralympics, M-Wave hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and the ice sledge speed racing events between 5 and 14 March. In all,sixteen events were contested,eight in women's and another eight in men's : 100m,500m, 1000m, and 1500m for both men and woman in two competitions classes.

The 1999 Asian Speed Skating Championships, an all-round completion, were held between January 9 and 10, 1999, at M-Wave. Japanese female and male skaters won all medals, including Maki Tabata who finished first in the 500, 3000m, 1500m, and second in the 5000m.

The 2000 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships were held at M-Wave from 3 March and 5 March. In all, ten events were contested, men's and women's 500 meters, 1000 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, and women's 3000, and men's 10,000. Germany and Netherlands won nine medals, including five gold and three gold respectively. Host Japan won three medals, including one gold by Hiroyasu Shimizu. Gianni Romme, Monique Garbrecht, and Claudia Pechstein each won two gold.

The 2008 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships were held at M-Wave from 6 March and 9 March. In all, 12 events were contested, men's and women's 500 meters, 1000 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, team pursuit, and women's 3000, and men's 10,000. Netherlands won 11 medals, including four gold, Canada won nine medals, including three gold. Joji Kato won a bronze medal for host Japan. Sven Kramer and Anni Friesinger each won two gold. In the men's 1500 won by Denny Morrison, no bronze medal was awarded as Sven Kramer and Shani Davis tied for silver.

The women's medalists were Marianne Timmer - gold, Anni Friesinger - silver, and Jennifer Rodriguez - bronze. The men's medalists were Erben Wennemars - gold, Jeremy Wotherspoon - silver, and Mike Ireland - bronze.

The 2014 World Sprint Speed Skating Championships took place January 18–19, 2014. The women's medalists were Yu Jing - gold, Zhang Hong - silver, and Heather Richardson - bronze. The men's medalists were Michel Mulder - gold, Shani Davis - silver, and Daniel Greig - bronze.

The All Japan Speed Skating Distance Championships (全日本スピードスケート距離別選手権大会, Zennihon supi-dosuke-to kyori betsu senshuken taikai) have been held in autumn at the M-Wave. In 2018, the 25th Annual All Japan Speed Skating Distance Championships were held from October 26 to October 28.[25]

Since 1998, M-Wave has hosted ten ISU Speed Skating World Cup events, one each in speed skating seasons of 1998–99, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, and 2019–2020.[26]

The 2002 World Figure Skating Championships were held at M-Wave from 16 March and 24 March. In all, four events were contested, men's and women's singles, pairs, and ice dance. Six nations won medals, including four by Russia, three by the United States and two by host nation Japan.

The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Nagano between February 26 and March 5. In addition to the speed skating events, M-Wave hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.[27]

During the skating season, from October to March, Ice skating is typically available throughout the day, except during tournaments and other special events. Skating is available for 1510 yen for adults or 810 yen for junior high school students and younger, on weekends; and 820 yen for adults (or 410 yen for junior high school students and younger) during weekdays.[28] A very large selection of speed skates, ice hockey skates, and figure skates are available to rent for 610 yen. Skaters may bring their own skates as well. One day per month, usually a Sunday, during skating season, the arena is open to the general public for free. Entrance to arena is via the South Entrance.

The Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon (長野オリンピック記念 長野マラソン, Nagano Orinpikku Kinen Nagano Marason), an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race competition.,[29] which has both elite and amateur runners, circles M-Wave at the 17 km mark of the race.[30]

By local bus, the M-Wave is approximately 5 kilometers east of JR Nagano Station. Nagaden Bus, No. 8, the Suzaka-Yashima Line and the Watauchi-Yashima Line, depart from the south exit of Nagano Station. The nearest bus stops to the M-Wave are M-Wave Mae (エムウェーブ前) or Nagano Higashi Koukou (長野東高校).

The M-Wave Mae bus stop is also a stop for the highway bus connecting the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal in Tokyo with Nagano.[31]

By car, M-Wave is approximately 5 minutes from the Suzaka/Nagano Higashi IC, which is on the Jōshin-etsu Expressway which runs through Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata, and which connects to the Kan-Etsu Expressway linking this region to Tokyo. M-Wave is also approximately 15 minutes by car from Nagano city center. At the M-Wave, there are 300 car parking spaces outside, or up to 60 coaches, and 500 car underground parking spaces.[32]

• "M-Wave Dori", Nagano Prefectural road Route 58 runs from Nagano Station to the Suzaka/Nagano Higashi IC.
• Nagano Prefectural road Route 372 runs from Sansai to Mamejima.
• Route 58 and Route 372 meet at M-Wave Intersection.