Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall

The Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall (Japanese: 日比谷野外音楽堂, Hepburn: Hibiya Yagai Ongakudō) is an outdoor theater in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan.[2] There are actually two concert halls - the smaller was erected during the Meiji era, and the larger was first built in the Taishō era. The larger venue is colloquially abbreviated to "Yaon" (野音).[1][3]

Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall
AddressTokyo
Japan
LocationHibiya Park
Coordinates35.67236°N 139.75403°E / 35.67236; 139.75403
Capacity3,053 (Large Hall)[1]
1,075 (Small Hall)
Construction
OpenedJuly 1923 (1923-07)
Renovated1983
Website
Official website

Notable events

The smaller music hall collapsed during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, but was rebuilt.

The large music hall was first built in July 1923.[1][4] Initially, it was also used for other types of entertainment, such as boxing matches.[1] It was closed in 1943 due to the Pacific War, but rebuilt in August 1954.[4] Between 1982 and August 1983 it was completely rebuilt again.[4]

The Tokyo Shimbun referred to a September 22, 1969 concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall sponsored by guitarist Shigeru Naromo as the first full-scale rock event in Japan.[5] On April 13, 1975, during the final concert of the band Carol led by Eikichi Yazawa, a firecracker explosion following the last song caused the stage to catch fire and burn down.[1]

On April 19, 1987, three people were trampled to death as the audience rushed to the stage at the beginning of a concert by Laughin' Nose.[5][6] On September 20, 1987, Show-Ya held the first Naon no Yaon music festival at the venue. They held it annually for five years until 1991 and revived it for a one-off in 2008.[7] In 2013, Naon no Yaon was fully resurrected in conjunction with the 90th anniversary of Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall and has been held annually since.[8]

Elephant Kashimashi first performed at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 1990, and it has become a tradition with them performing at the venue every year since.[9]

In 2018, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu hosted a concert commemorating the venue's 95th anniversary.[10] Beginning in April and set to continue until November, around 40 performances are scheduled to be held at the venue in 2023 in celebration of its 100th anniversary.[1]

The Tokyo government decided to rebuild Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 2021. Plans include constructing a roof over the stage and the front row seats, and enhancing the backstage area as performers have complained the preparation and waiting areas are cramped and difficult to use.[1] Demolition of the existing hall is set to begin in or after fiscal 2024.[1]

  • The smaller venue c. 1909.
    The smaller venue c. 1909.
  • The rebuilt smaller venue in 2012.
    The rebuilt smaller venue in 2012.
  • The Japan Coast Guard band performing at the small hall in July 2009.
    The Japan Coast Guard band performing at the small hall in July 2009.
  • The larger venue, c. 1926 – c. 1930.
    The larger venue, c. 1926 – c. 1930.
  • The rebuilt larger venue in 2019.
    The rebuilt larger venue in 2019.
  • Muscle Beat performing at the large hall in June 1989.
    Muscle Beat performing at the large hall in June 1989.

References
  1. "'Holy Land' Hibiya Park music hall to be rebuilt bigger and better". The Japan Times. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  2. "Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall". Time Out Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2019-12-23. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  3. "4/29開催「NAONのYAON」イベントレポート掲載！". Universal Music (in Japanese). 2015-04-30. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  4. "日比谷野音が90周年、伝説のイベント再び". Toyo Keizai (in Japanese). 2013-01-21. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  5. "伝説生んだ日比谷野音、100年の節目に再整備へ 樹木伐採の懸念も…「歴史ある緑を後世に」". Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  6. "LAUGHIN' NOSE". Arabaki Rock Fest.16 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  7. "日本のガールズ・ロックを象徴するイベント「NAONのYAON」". Kayopops (in Japanese). WOWOW. 2021-06-15. Archived from the original on 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  8. "復活「NAONのYAON」にSHOW-YA、杏子、中川翔子ら". Natalie (in Japanese). 2013-02-07. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  9. "エレファントカシマシ、中秋の名月が差す野音で新アルバム『RAINBOW』発表". Real Sound (in Japanese). 2015-09-28. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  10. "Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Hosts Concert With CHAI & Ken Hirai, Announces New Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
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