Korakuen Hall

Korakuen Hall (Japanese: 後楽園ホール, Hepburn: Kōrakuen Hōru) is a sports arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, which has hosted boxing, professional wrestling, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and Lethwei matches.[1][2]

Korakuen Hall
The Hall
Korakuen Hall in 2017
LocationBunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates35°42′15.55″N 139°45′6.98″E
OwnerTokyo Dome Corporation
Capacity1,403 seat
2,005 seats (maximum)
OpenedApril 16, 1962
Tenants
Nippon TV (1962–present)
Japan Boxing Commission (1962–present)

History
Dave Leduc sweeping opponent at Lethwei in Japan 2 inside the Korakuen Hall.

On April 16, 1962, the Korakuen Hall was officially opened with a capacity of approximately 2,000 people. It is located inside the Tokyo Dome City, one of Tokyo's biggest attractions. The venue hosted the boxing events for the 1964 Summer Olympics.

In March 2011, as the hall suffered structural damage in the Tōhoku earthquake. Events including a World Boxing Council triple female world title fight were postponed or canceled.[3] The repair work was completed on March 18. The Hall was closed until the next day, then gradually resumed a variety of events.[4]

On October 27, 2016, the hall became the chosen venue for the International Lethwei Federation Japan.[5] The Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2016 was the first event of the promotion held at the venue.[6]

Tokyo JCB Hall (Korakuen Hall 2)
Main article: Tokyo Dome City Hall

The Tokyo JCB Hall also known Tokyo Dome City Hall is a facility for sports, fashion shows, and live concerts inside the Tokyo Dome City complex, a few minutes walk from the Korakuen Hall. It was announced that a new version of Korakuen Hall would be built in Tokyo Dome City which would act as the Korakuen Hall 2 and it would hold 2,500–3,000 people. The naming rights of the hall were purchased by Japan Credit Bureau (JCB) so it opened as JCB Hall. After the construction completed, the Tokyo Dome Corporation, which owns the original Korakuen Hall as well as the Tokyo Dome, would continue to rent out the original Korakuen Hall, lowering rental prices (currently it costs 1,500,000 Yen to rent) to allowing smaller promotions to use the building on a regular basis.

Although most of the sporting events take place at the Tokyo Dome, the JCB Hall is considered one of the primary spots in Tokyo Dome City for smaller scale sporting events, like boxing, pro-wrestling, Lethwei and mixed martial arts.[7] The JCB Hall hosted Miss International Japan.

Since its completion, JCB Hall has been host of Lethwei in Japan 4,[8] and has been rarely used for pro wrestling events after the Pro Wrestling Zero1 show in early 2008.[9] During 2009, JCB Hall was used twice for pro wrestling, both times for a tour ending show by Pro Wrestling Noah.

References
  1. "世界で一番過激な格闘技 ラウェイの世界(Japanese)". VICE Japan. 17 March 2018.
  2. Eaton, Matt (18 April 2017). "Embracing tradition: The rise of Lethwei". The Fight Nation. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. The Kōrakuen Hall – an arena famous for hosting Lethwei and mixed martial arts matches.
  3. 後楽園ホールの天井ゆがむ、当面興行中止. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  4. 後楽園ホール、21日の昼夜興行で再開ゴング. Daily Sports (in Japanese). March 20, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  5. "Burmese kick-boxing champ KOs Australian". Burmese DVB. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018.
  6. "Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2016". ILFJ. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  7. "ラウェイinジャパン４ FRONTIER (Japanese)". Ameblo. 17 June 2017.
  8. "ラウェイinジャパン４ FRONTIER (Japanese)". Ameblo. 17 June 2017.
  9. "ZERO1-MAX Miracle Rocket ~ 2nd Impact ~". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
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