1936s–1940s

Purposes of Establishment

Korakuen Stadium Co., Ltd. (the present Tokyo Dome Corporation) was established as a company to build and operate baseball stadiums. The Tokyo Giants and other new professional baseball teams being formed one after another were then seeking new stadiums.

Completion of Korakuen Stadium

Korakuen was completed as Japan’s first ballpark with a two-level stadium. The facility was the largest ever built in Japan with seating capacity for 30,000 people (20,000 infield seats and 10,000 outfield seats).

Ski jumping in the infield

Vast quantities of snow were transported from Niigata Prefecture to Korakuen Stadium by rail to build an enormous ski jump under this spectacular plan to hold a ski jumping competition in snowless Tokyo.

Performance by the mesmerizing
Kinoshita Circus

The Kinoshita Circus erected a great tent inside Korakuen Stadium with seating capacity for 4,000 people. The circus was highly popular as entertainment during the war, and the Kinoshita Circus regularly used the Stadium as their performance space after the war as well.

Near the End of World War II

In 1944, as defeat in the Second World War seemed certain, the Summer Sumo Tournament was held at Korakuen away from its home at Kokugikan, which had been requisitioned and was being used as a factory. The Fall Sumo Tournament was also held at Korakuen in November that year.

Multipurpose use of the Suidobashi area

The construction of the bicycle racetrack was the first full step into multipurpose use of the Suidobashi area. The success of the Bicycle Race Division on top of the prosperity of the professional ballpark propelled the Company’s subsequent leaps forward. Outside of the bicycle racing season, the racetrack was used for soccer, American football, boxing and other events.

to 1950s
1936.12.25
Established as Korakuen Stadium Co., Ltd.
1937.9.11
Opening ceremony for Korakuen Stadium
1938.2.27
First All-Japan Ski Jumping Competition
1943.1.1
First Korakuen Grand Circus
1944.5.7
Summer Sumo Tournament Held
1949.10.31
Opening of Korakuen Bicycle Racetrack
 
1939.09.01 Start of World War II
1945.07.26 Potsdam Agreement
1949.04.04 NATO is established