 Last additions - Shinjuku-ku 新宿区 |
Trash collection at the exit.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
One thing they need to fix is trash collection. On the 2nd floor concourse.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
This football/soccer match was also an Olympic test event for the new Olymoic Stadium and officials observed the crowd flow.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
The man waving is Hiroshi Mikitani, the founder of Rakuten that owns Kobe Vissel.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
They are in front of the Back Stand.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
After the awards ceremony, Vissel Kobe walked around the stadium and posed for photos.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Princess Takamado during the Awards ceremony.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Awards ceremonyJan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Awards ceremonyJan 05, 2020
|
|
Awards ceremony had Princess Takamado (in white) giving the trophy. She is an Honorary Patron of the Japan Football Association.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans go wild.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Final score.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe celebrate their first ever championship.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe won 2-0.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
On Tier 2, view from the Back Stand, Block 241, nearer to the North Stand.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Game attendance of 57,597. (sold out).Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Andrés Iniesta, Spanish professional footballer.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Andrés Iniesta, Spanish professional footballer.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Andrés Iniesta, Spanish professional footballer.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
The sun finally went down.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Watering the field (natural grass) during halftime.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Lots of afternoon sun on this part of the Back Stand.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
"Goal"Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe scores again.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Ball boy.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Current score and player roster.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe celebrate their first goal.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe celebrate their first goal.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe scores their first goal.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe in maroon, Kashima Antlers in white.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe before the kickoff at 2:35 pm.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Players entered the pitch.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
This huge banner was unfurled on the pitch. Looks upside down on my side of the stadium, but it reads "Battle for the Pinnacle." 頂上決戦Jan 05, 2020
|
|
At the halfway line from the Back Stand's Tier 2 concourse with a long row of guys on the bottom edge.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fansJan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fans unfurl large banners.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fansJan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fansJan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fansJan 05, 2020
|
|
Kashima Antlers fans on the opposite end. Kashima, a city in Ibaraki Prefecture, literally means "deer island." That's where the "Antlers" come from.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans. "1995 to 2020, Kobe"Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. "Vissel" combines the words "victory" and "vessel." "Vessel" because Kobe is a port city.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Vissel Kobe fans on the North Stand. Loud cheers. The roof overhead carried their cheers very well.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Seats with lounges.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Seats with tables on the Main Stand.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Seats with tables on the Main Stand.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
It's an oval stadium with a track and field and a partial, fixed roof. Everyone was relieved that the stadium was completed in time for the Olympics after a flubbed initial design.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Wheelchair space on 2nd tier concourse (right below the "We came to win" banner).Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Wheelchair space on 2nd tier concourse. Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Wheelchair space on 2nd tier concourse. Seats are for abled-bodied wheelchair companions. This space also has power outlets for recharging power/electric wheelchairs. Mounted on the ceiling is a cooling fan.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Drink holder is slightly above the floor unlike on the 3rd tier where the drink holder is on the floor.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
When people are sitting, there's very little room to pass through a row of seats.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Seat numbers (without row number) are on the seat edge, not on the seat back. If there are people sitting, you cannot see the seat number.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
2nd tier seats, less steep than the 3rd tier.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Row and seat numbers on steps on 2nd tier steps.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Corridor to seats in Blocks 240 and 241.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Short corridor to 2nd tier seats.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Map of a block of seats on 2nd tier. Each block has two corridors/entrances. Enter the corridor closest to your seat.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
The seats have a random mosaic design in shades of green, brown, and white look like fallen autumn leaves. Ingenious. Sort of like having fake followers/spectators.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
The seats have a random mosaic design in shades of green, brown, and white. It makes it look like there are spectators even when the seats are empty.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
2nd tier concourse.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
2nd tier concourse (3rd floor) does not have any crosswinds.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Extra space on 2nd tier concourse (3rd floor).Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Comcession stand on 2nd tier concourse (3rd floor).Jan 05, 2020
|
|
LCD screen showing the layout of each concourse. The wheelchair symbol is for the accessible toilets which are always near the wheelchair spaces.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
2nd tier concourse (3rd floor) does not have any crosswinds.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Layout of the North Stand which was the Vissel Kobe fan section.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Turnstile at Gate A1. Barcode scanner lets you in.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Gate A1 on the 2nd floor leading to the 2nd tier.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Stadium gate directions.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Stadium layout. Top part is the Back Stand, bottom part is the Main Stand. The Side Stands on both ends were the fan stands. The stadium has three seating tiers on five floors. Tier 3 is the cheapest seats.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
Outside the stadium, a large soccer ball was a popular selfie spot.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
On New Year's Day 2020, Emperor's Cup JFA All-Japan Soccer Championship final game was the first sports event to be held at the new Olympic Stadium. Vissel Kobe vs. Kashima Antlers.Jan 05, 2020
|
|
View of the Olympic Stadium in July 2018 from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Passed by the Olympic Stadium in June 2018 when it was still under construction.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Large crowd heading to Sendagaya Station, but it went smoothly and trains came often. My next visit to the this stadium will be on New Year's Day for a national soccer/football final game.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
People in my block didn't heed this request. As soon as they said "This concludes today's program," we all up and left the stadium via the stairs. Got out in no time.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Leaving the stadium. Glad it was over. It was cold.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
J-pop duo Yuzu appeared as an unannounced, surprise guest performer. They sang "Eiko no Kakehashi." 栄光の架橋Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Next, the stadium went dark and the MC asked everyone to turn on their cell phone flashlight. There was one more thing... Spotlight on a surprise...Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The runners celebrate on the podium.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Kiryu Yoshihide, who had finished, applauds Usain Bolt and others crossing the finish. For us spectators, it was hard to see and understand what was going onJan 04, 2020
|
|
Anchors Marlou van Rhijn and Usain Bolt.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Anchor Kiryu Yoshihide and Suzuki Tomoki 桐生祥秀 鈴木朋樹Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Takakuwa Saki 髙桑早生Jan 04, 2020
|
|
On the Red Team, Cambridge Aska passes the round baton to Takakuwa Saki. ケンブリッジ 飛鳥 髙桑早生Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Cambridge Aska starts off his relay team.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Muraoka Momoka starts for the Green Team. 村岡桃佳Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The opening event's sports highlight was the "One Race" featuring Olympians and Paralympians, both male and female. It was a relay race of four teams with six runners each. Two teams (Red and Green) represented Japan. The other two teams (Orange and Blue) represented the world. The world teams had only two runners each in the stadium. The remaining four runners would run in Los Angeles or Paris in real time. Each runner was to run 200 meters. https://ourstadium.jpnsport.go.jp/onerace/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Kiryu Yoshihide runs to his position on the track. 桐生祥秀Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Kiryu Yoshihide's team is introduced.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Usain Bolt runs to his position on the track. It was a cold evening so the runners wore overcoats before the race.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Usain Bolt was the anchor on the Blue Team with four starting runners in Paris. So we saw only he and Hannah Cockroft in the stadium.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Anchoring the Green Team was Kiryu Yoshihide. 桐生祥秀Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Starting on the Green Team was Muraoka Momoka. 村岡桃佳Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Arashi on stage. 嵐Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Arashi on stage. The stadium is so big, so everyone looked tiny. 嵐Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Next was boy group Arashi first appearing on trucks that moved to the stage on the field. 嵐Jan 04, 2020
|
|
With lead singer Yoshida Miwa, Dreams Come True performed a few numbers for about 20 min. They once performed at the old National Stadium. So I guess that's why they were selected to perform here. ドリームズ・カム・トゥルー https://dreamscometrue.com/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Finally, the program moved to the music portion.Headlining a string of mini concerts was J-pop group Dreams Come True. ドリームズ・カム・トゥルーJan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Another spotlight was on three members of Japan's national rugby team. In the middle is team captain Michael Leitch who thanked the crowd for their support during the Rugby World Cup.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Pro soccer/football player Miura Kazuyoshi appeared and said a few words. He also played with the ball and kicked it into the crowd. The lucky guy in the stand who caught the ball got to keep the ball autographed by Kazu. 三浦 知良Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The stadium went dark with a spotlight on the field...Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Some marching bands and other people appeared.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The Nebuta float is accompanied by dancers called haneto. They hop all over while shouting "Rasse, Rasse, Rassera!" ねぶた祭Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The Nebuta float is accompanied by dancers called haneto. They hop all over while shouting "Rasse, Rasse, Rassera!" ねぶた祭Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri paraded completely around the track.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri parading past Akita Kanto lanterns.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
They paraded completely around the track. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Tohoku summer festivals are conveniently held during the same period in early Aug. so you can see most of them during a single trip. Well worth it. Aomori Nebuta, Sendai Tanabata, and Akita Kanto are the Big Three. There's also the Neputa Matsuri in Hirosaki. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Nebuta floats are large wire-frame, paper lanterns shaped in various legendary and macho characters such as samurai warriors, demons, and gods. They are dramatically illuminated from the inside and paraded on the streets of Aomori city at night. They did not parade this big float on the track since it might damage the track. ねぶた祭Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The last Tohoku festival was the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. Held in the evenings during Aug. 2 to 7 near Aomori Station. ねぶた祭The Nebuta float is accompanied by dancers called haneto. They hop all over while shouting "Rasse, Rasse, Rassera!" These people came from Aomori and Tokyo. ねぶた祭Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori danceJan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori danceJan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori danceJan 04, 2020
|
|
From Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai Suzume Odori dance which I saw earlier outside the stadium. Normally held in late July near Sendai Station. 仙台すずめ踊り http://www.suzume-odori.com/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Japan's largest waraji straw sandal.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
This supposed to be Japan's largest waraji straw sandal. It's an offering to pray for healthy legs/feet. Fukushima Waraji Matsuri 福島わらじまつりJan 04, 2020
|
|
From Fukushima Prefecture, the Waraji Matsuri.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
From Fukushima Prefecture, the Waraji Matsuri is mainly an evening parade of dancers wearing waraji straw sandals.Includes a giant golden waraji. Held on the first Fri. and Sat. of Aug. near Fukushima Station. 福島わらじまつり https://www.waraji.co.jp/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri 山形花笠まつり Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri 山形花笠まつり Jan 04, 2020
|
|
They danced along only part of the track. Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri 山形花笠まつり Jan 04, 2020
|
|
From Yamagata Prefecture, Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri, an evening dance festival held annually during Aug. 5 to 7. It's a flower hat (hanagasa) dance parade near JR Yamagata Station. 山形花笠まつり http://www.hanagasa.jp/en/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Morioka Sansa Odori Festival 盛岡さんさ踊りJan 04, 2020
|
|
Morioka Sansa Odori Festival 盛岡さんさ踊りJan 04, 2020
|
|
Morioka Sansa Odori Festival 盛岡さんさ踊りJan 04, 2020
|
|
Next was the Morioka Sansa Odori dance festival from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. It's a large-sacle evening street dance held near JR Morioka Station on Aug. 1 to 4. 盛岡さんさ踊り http://www.sansaodori.jp/foreign/english.phpJan 04, 2020
|
|
It started with the Kanto Festival from Akita Prefecture (same place where the Akita dog comes from). On both ends of the field, men in happi coats balanced tall paper lantern-bedecked bamboo poles, called kanto, on their shoulders, hand palms, or hips. These kanto symbolize rice plants. Akita Kanto Festival is held annually during Aug. 3 to 6 near JR Akita Station in Akita Prefecture. http://www.kantou.gr.jp/english/index.htm 竿灯まつりJan 04, 2020
|
|
The culture part of the program featured a festival from each of the six prefectures in the Tohoku Region: Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima Prefectures. They are all annual summer festivals. There's an emphasis on this region because it was where the March 2011 tsunami and earthquake hit Japan the hardest. The Japanese government also wants to call this the "Recovery Olympics."Jan 04, 2020
|
|
At 6:30 pm, the Opening Act was the famous taiko drum troupe Kodo from Sado, Niigata. 鼓童https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
It's an oval-shaped stadium with a track and field and partial, fixed roof. The track and field had taiko drums and kanto paper lantern poles on both ends.The seats have a random mosaic design in shades of green, Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The name of the stadium's opening event was "Hello, Our Stadium." Two giant monitors were used to show live closeups of the performers.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The stadium was looking quite full. The stadium capacity is 60,000, but they announced that attendance for this event was 52,000.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Wheelchair space on 2nd tier concourse. Seats are for abled-bodied wheelchair companions. This space also has power outlets for recharging power/electric wheelchairs. Mounted on the ceiling is a cooling fan.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
On 2nd tier, the incline is less than the 3rd tier. The drink holder is above the floor.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Seat numbers (without row number) are on the seat edge, not on the seat back. If there are people sitting, you cannot see the seat number.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
2nd tier seats.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
2nd tier seats, less steep than the 3rd tier.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Row and seat numbers on steps on 2nd tier.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
End of corridor to seats.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Map of a block of seats on 2nd tier. Each block has two corridors/entrances. Enter the corridor closest to your seat.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Corridor to 2nd tier seats.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Extra space on 2nd tier concourse (3rd floor).Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Comcession stand on 2nd tier concourse (3rd floor).Jan 04, 2020
|
|
2nd tier concourse (3rd floor) does not have any crosswinds.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
We all got a free face towel as a souvenir.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
My seat, made of hard plastic. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
In front of me, this person's head was slightly above my knees when I was sitting. A little kid sitting can easily kick the person's head in front. The drink holder is also on the floor. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
My row on the 3rd tier. Hardly any room for a person to pass in front of people sitting. Not good when someone wants to get out and I'm shooting video of a precious moment on the field.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Spotlight fixture occupies three rows of 5 seats.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The 1st tier on the bottom has a gradual incline, the 2nd tier is steeper, and the 3rd tier is the steepest. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Awesome-looking roof. It also has loudspeakers.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Roof laden with wood.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Spectator seating is pretty much covered by the roof, but windy rain can still reach people. The stadium was looking quite full.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
From the top row of seats in the stadium on the 3rd tier. Tier 3 has a steep 34˚ incline.The Tier 1 is more gradual at 20˚, and Tier 2 is 29˚. Lateral space was minimized, so it's quite cramped to move through the seats when people are sitting in them. And there's no walkway traversing the seating area on the cramped 3rd tier. Go back out to the concourse to move to another block.
The stadium was designed this way to keep the seats closer to the field. I must say, it is effective in that sense. The field looks closer and you get clear views with no heads in the way. In the old National Stadium, the top row was faraway from the field.
This top row is also right below the open-air part of the stadium and if it's windy and rainy, I would think people may get wet here. Must be cold in winter to sit here. But in summer, it might be cooler when there's a breeze.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Third tier steps going up to the top row of the stadium. Above the top row is open-air. Steps are narrow and steep. Hold the hand rails.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The seats have a random mosaic design in shades of green, brown, and white. It makes it look like there are spectators even when the seats are empty.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
At the end of the corridor is steps going down and up. Cramped spot where people tend to stop and try to figure out which way to go. If your seat is on the other side of the block, you should go back to the concourse and enter the corridor on the other side of the block.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Layout of a block of seats. The block numbers indicate the tier. 100s for the 1st tier (expensive seats), 200s, for the 2nd tie, and 300s here for the 3rd tier (cheap seats, ¥5000 for this event). Here, you should check your seat No.
If your seat No. is 111 to 124, enter on the left side of the block. If it's 125 to 138, go to the other corridor entrance on the right side of the block. The field is toward the top of this diagram (Row 1).Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Narrow corridor to Blocks 307 and 308 on tier 3. No wheelchair seating here. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Diaper-changing table.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Wash basin.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Semi-accessible toilet. (Too small for a wheelchair.) The wheelchair spaces had accessible toilets nearby.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Navigational map of the men's room. Mainly for visually impaired people, but I believe the braille is in Japanese.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Men's room, very clean.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Layout of seating blocks on the Main Stand on the 4th floor (Tier 3). Notice the many concession stands and restrooms. It may be confusing to see three seating tiers, but they are on different floors. The 1st tier is on the 1st floor, the 2nd tier is on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and the 3rd tier is on the 4th and 5th floors.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
On the concourse, trash bins for burnables, plastics, and PET bottles.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Stairs to the 5th floor where there is an open-air concourse with potted plants (Sora no Mori). But it was closed.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
View outside the concourse, looking toward Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Sendagaya Station.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Outside the concourse. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
A number of concession stands along the concourse, but long lines. I brought my own food and drinks, so I didn't bother to stand in line. No vending machines in the stadium. The cheapest drinks were ¥300.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Concourse on the 4th floor. This is open-air. Quite cold this day.Concourse on the 4th floor. This is open-air. Quite cold this day. I felt sorry for the staff who were working here, standing outside the corridor entrance to the seats.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Escalator to the upper floors.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The turnstile scanner machine (spare ones here).Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The turnstile used a QR code scanner. Show the QR code on your ticket and the turnstile unlocks for you to pass through.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Gate A6 led to escalators going to the 4th floor. The admission ticket tells you which gate to go to.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Items not allowed: Knives, scissors (longer than 5.5 cm), poison, illicit drugs, flammable things, flares, fireworks, firecrackers, explosive items, oil, hammers, screwdrivers, chains, ice picks, glass bottles, cans, canned goods, raw eggs, and more. Plastic (PET) bottle drinks are allowed, but it may be subject to inspection.
Even this sign was not in English. So I guess they weren't expecting foreigners to attend this event.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Entering Gate A for security check of our bags. Notice that Gate A branches off into smaller gates from A1 to A6. A1 goes to the 1st floor, A6 goes to the 4th floor.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The line moved quickly though. It took about 15 min. to get to the gate to go inside.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Long and winding line for Gate A.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
We all had reserved seating so there was no rush to get to our seats. But there was this long line for Gate A that led to seats on all three tiers (1st to 4th floors) in this section on the Main Stand. The line wound back and forth four times before we headed for Gate A.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Gate B2.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Corporate sponsor booths.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Food stalls.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The stadium as seen from Gaien Gate.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
The stadium as seen from Gaien Gate. This area is where they had food stalls and corporate sponsor booths.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Popular photo spot with the "National Stadium" sign. Near Gaien Gate.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Stadium's ticket box office. It was closed since tickets to this event was sold in advance. First you had to apply for the ticket lottery online. If you won a ticket in the lottery (held at least 3 times), you could pay for it by credit card or at a convenience store. The ticket lottery and website were in Japanese only and geared for Japan residents with a cell phone. Very puzzling since it effectively shut out overseas visitors from buying a ticket. I didn't see any foreigners in the crowd. And yet, the event MC kept mentioning how it was for all nationalities, abled-bodied and disabled, all genders, all ages, etc., etc. No event info in English at all.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance. They were also going to be part of the main program inside the stadium. 仙台すずめ踊り http://www.suzume-odori.com/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Outside Gate E, there was a short pre-event performance of the Sendai Suzume Odori dance from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. The Suzume Odori (Sparrow Dance) is held in late July near Sendai Station. They performed in front of Tanabata streamers for which Sendai is famous in early Aug. 仙台すずめ踊り http://www.suzume-odori.com/Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Tanabata streamers from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. One event highlight was Tohoku festivals.Jan 04, 2020
|
|
Jan 04, 2020
|
|
|
|
