Image search results - "Colosseum" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "Colosseum"

Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム

Entrance to Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.

Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.

Division standings as of Dec. 21, 2008. Tokyo Apache in 1st place, and Grouses in last place among the six teams in the Eastern conference of the bj-league.

Uniform replica for sale.

T-shirts for sale.

Towels

Join the Tokyo Apache booster club.

Pregame entertainment by the Tokyo Apache Dance Team (equivalent to cheerleaders). Unfortunately, pro basketball is still a minor sport in Japan. Few people klnow about the bj-league and the teams. Many people in Tokyo have never heard of Tokyo Apache.

It's a shame because it's quite entertaining to watch bj-league basketball games. They are geared for entertainment before and during the game.

Ticket prices are also inexpensive. Perhaps they should offer 500 yen tickets on special campaign days so more people will come out to watch.

The basketball players also service the fans with autographs and handshakes before and after the game.

Tokyo Apache team members are introduced as they go through a gauntlet of cheerleaders.

Ariake can get quiote cold in winter though. They might turn on the heater or they might not.

The Tokyo Apache Dance Team girls swirl around as the player passes through.

Some practice shots.

Tip off

John "Helicopter" Humphrey

Masashi Joho

Tokyo Apache Dance Team do their stuff during time outs. They are the cheerleaders who appear on Saturday games.

Half-time show by Tokyo Apache Dance Team.

Darin Maki

A foul by Babacar Camara led to a brief scuffle between him and John Humphrey. After some deliberation by the referees, both were expelled from the game.

Jun Iwasa

Cohey Aoki

Cohey

Sponsors

Skills Challenge was held during halftime. Several contestants try to dribble through a course for shooting and passing a basketball.

Tokyo Apache team bench.

GumQ kids are very well trained.

Full of pep and vitality. Great for basketball games.

Dunk shot by John Humphrey.

Dunk shot progression.

Babacar Camara again as John's nemesis.

Coach Bryant advises John.

Cohey for a free throw.

Team huddle

Joho for a free throw.

A sweet victory by the Tokyo Apache following a defeat the day before.

Joe Bryant

Toyama Grouses head coach Takatoshi Ishibashi, a former player for the Grouses.

Tokyo Apache head coach Joe Bryant (Kobe's dad) is upbeat after his win as he talks to the press through an interpreter.

Entrance to Ariake Colosseum at around 4 pm, 2 hours before tip-off for the game between Tokyo Apache and Ryukyu Golden Kings on Nov. 29, 2008.

Tokyo Apache merchandise sold in the lobby. Named after the American Indian tribe, the team was established in June 2004 and was one of the inaugural teams of the bj league in Nov. 2005.

Uniforms sold in the lobby.

Pre-game activities starting at 4 pm started with a free throw which anybody could participate.

Tokyo Apache practice on court. The team is a member of the bj League, Japan's top pro basketball league. Unlike Japan's other pro basketball league (Japan Basketball League), foreign players can play in the bj League.

Tokyo Apache basketball court. The bj League also focuses on entertainment and seeks fans in their localities through booster clubs. Ticket prices in Tokyo are quite cheap (as low as 2,000 yen for adults).

Tokyo Apache Dance Team (equivalent to cheerleaders)

More pregame entertainment.

Tokyo Apache team members are introduced as they go through a gauntlet of cheerleaders.

Team huddle

Booster club members sitting in the "Apache Seats" (2,500 yen for adults) at one end of the court.

Inside Ariake Colosseum. The front row seats along the court edge are called "Premium Seats" which cost 20,000 yen each. Includes free drinks and food delivered to your seat.

Ryukyu Golden Kings practice.

Tokyo Apache practice.

National anthem

Koto Ward mayor says a few words. This was Koto Ward Appreciation Day.

The Koto Ward mayor tosses the ball for a tip-off.

The game started at 6 pm.

Joho Masashi

Darin Maki

Dunk

John "Helicopter" Humphrey

The game was very enjoyable. But Ariake Colliseum had no heating. It was pretty cold, you need to wear a jacket. But I can imagine the cost of heating this huge arena.