
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.
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
What makes the Starbucks Japan chocolate terrine so popular?
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Government says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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
Tokyo bookmakers’ favourite to host 2020 Olympics
Nihon? Nippon? What’s the correct name for “Japan” at the Tokyo Olympics (and in general)?
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