New Tokyo indoor rugby stadium to anchor Jingu-Gaien redevelopment

Construction has begun on Japan’s first fully indoor, all-weather rugby stadium in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, project developers announced on February 12th.

The facility, provisionally titled the New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, is being developed by Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd., backed by Kajima Corporation as the lead company alongside Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Tokyo Tatemono, and Tokyo Dome Corporation.

CG image rendering of finished stadium (centre) in relation to Tokyo Olympic Stadium to the left..

The project forms part of the Jingu Gaien District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project, led by Mitsui Fudosan in cooperation with Meiji Jingu, the Japan Sport Council (JSC), and Itochu Corporation.

The broader redevelopment spans approximately 28.4 hectares and will include a new rugby stadium, a new baseball stadium, a hotel, and public plazas, with phased completion scheduled through 2038. Mitsui Fudosan President Toshihiro Ueda described the rugby stadium’s construction as the “first step” of the initiative.

Both the existing Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, now 78 years old, and Meiji Jingu Stadium, at 99 years old, are showing significant aging. Rebuilding on their current sites would require extended closures, making sporting events impossible for prolonged periods. To avoid this, the redevelopment will proceed in carefully sequenced phases.

Phase I places the new rugby stadium on the former Meiji Jingu Second Stadium site. Following its completion, a new baseball stadium will be constructed on the site of the current rugby stadium. The former baseball stadium site will then be converted into a 1.5-hectare public plaza under Phase II.

The stadium will occupy a planned site area of 34,437.54 square meters, expanding to 43,476.27 square meters after Phase II. The eight-story, one-basement structure will use reinforced concrete and steel, with a total floor area of 72,957.17 square meters. Its 46.25-meter height matches that of the National Stadium, a design choice intended to preserve skyline and landscape harmony. Kajima Corporation is overseeing construction, and the venue is scheduled to open in 2030.

Under Japan’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) framework, the operator will design and build the facility before transferring ownership to the Japan Sport Council. The operator will then acquire public facility operating rights and manage operations and maintenance for 30 years.

Stadium interior CG rendering.

In addition to hosting rugby matches, the venue is designed as a multi-purpose facility capable of accommodating music concerts, sporting events, and corporate exhibitions. The stadium will meet international standards for global rugby competitions and provide seating for approximately 15,000 spectators. Seating layouts emphasize generous spacing, while universal design principles ensure accessibility.

The design prioritizes immersive viewing and hospitality, incorporating double main stands, a corner-field “Rugby Tower,” a field-level bar, VIP lounges, a Sky Lounge, and a 50-meter-wide video screen.

For concert use, maximum capacity will expand to approximately 25,000. Developers aim to attract leading artists from Japan and abroad, positioning the venue as a new hub for entertainment.

A pedestrian-only walkway will be established between the stadium’s northeast side and the National Stadium. Phase II will also introduce a southern plaza designed as both a leisure space for visitors and a temporary refuge area during disasters.

Together with the National Stadium, the new rugby and baseball stadiums, and nearby Meiji Park, the Jingu Gaien district is expected to see enhanced vibrancy.

Speaking at a press briefing on the 12th, Ueda emphasized that the new rugby stadium would be the only fully indoor, all-weather sports facility in the surrounding area and is intended to serve as a core presence within the district.

Kajima Chairman and President Yoshikazu Oshimi said the project would create a world-class rugby venue while also functioning as a comprehensive entertainment space designed to deliver high-quality experiences for spectators, athletes, and artists alike.

Stadium frontage CG rendering with SMBC Olive Square naming prevalent.

It was also announced that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. has been named the stadium’s top partner. The facility’s official secondary name has been set as “SMBC Olive SQUARE.”

Source:

R.E. Port News (Japanese only)