
As we’re sure you’ve heard, Tokyo was selected by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
Of course, no host city would be complete without a ludicrously over-designed Olympic stadium that looks like a race of aliens that watched Blade Runner on VHS one too many times took a wrong turn somewhere and landed their space ship downtown. Welcome to New National Stadium!
The proposed stadium, designed by award-winning Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, is intended to hold around 80,000 spectators and would be able to host a variety of Olympic sports. Seats would be retractable to adjust for larger playing fields, and the roof would also be translucent and retractable.
▼ Good thing the seats are retractable, or we’d be watching history’s tiniest Olympic games, according to this sketch.
The below presentation will fill you in on some harder details. The exact location of the stadium is never mentioned, but mockups appear to show the structure on the near outskirts of the city proper, possibly close to Shinjuku.
It may look a little like something from Flight of the Navigator, but we actually kind of like it!
Source and photos: Himajin Sokuhou




Sayonara, stadium! Tokyo tosses out design for 252 billion-yen Olympic site, starts from scratch
New Tokyo Olympic stadium architect responds to accusations of plagiarism
Japan’s Newest National Stadium Design is Decided, but is it the Best Choice?
Looks like it’s time to say good-bye, and maybe good riddance, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics logo
2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will Blow. You. Away.
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Masturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Dragon Quest at Olympics opening ceremony? Game theme, Eva-connected song heard coming from stadium
Is Japan happy it hosted the Olympics, now that the Tokyo Games are over?【Survey】
Japan’s Olympic stadium to fill thousands of empty spectator seats with waifu pillows
Tokyo Olympics might allow you to take one, and only one, drink with you into sweltering stadiums
Tokyo Olympics Village looks like an eerie ghost town
Tokyo train stations get new Olympic melodies and signage for the Games
Nihon? Nippon? What’s the correct name for “Japan” at the Tokyo Olympics (and in general)?
Tokyo bookmakers’ favourite to host 2020 Olympics
Tokyo Olympics will not allow spectators from overseas
Tokyo Olympics losing volunteers even after president’s resignation for sexist remarks
Just what the heck is the Tokyo Olympics symbol supposed to be?
Tokyo loses 2020 Olympic marathon as IOC shifts race to another part of Japan
Advice for Tokyo 2020 Olympics volunteers: Dress like a Japanese ninja
Tokyo Olympics comes to a close with anime opening ska remix at closing ceremony 【Video】
IOC President is “in 100-percent agreement” with Japan’s proposal to postpone Tokyo Olympics
Japan’s Prime Minister says he didn’t want to cosplay as Mario at the 2016 Olympics