| Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall | |
| City: | Tokyo |
| Country: | Japan |
| Location: | Hibiya Park |
| Coordinates: | 35.6724°N 139.754°W |
| Capacity: | 3,053 (Large Hall)[1] 1,075 (Small Hall) |
| Renovated: | 1983 |
The is an outdoor theater in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan.[2] There are actually two concert halls - the smaller was erected during the Meiji era, and the larger was first built in the Taishō era. The larger venue is colloquially abbreviated to .[1] [3]
The smaller music hall collapsed during the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, but was rebuilt.
The large music hall was first built in July 1923.[1] [4] Initially, it was also used for other types of entertainment, such as boxing matches.[1] It was closed in 1943 due to the Pacific War, but rebuilt in August 1954.[4] Between 1982 and August 1983 it was completely rebuilt again.[4]
The Tokyo Shimbun referred to a September 22, 1969 concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall sponsored by guitarist Shigeru Naromo as the first full-scale rock event in Japan.[5] On April 13, 1975, during the final concert of the band Carol led by Eikichi Yazawa, a firecracker explosion following the last song caused the stage to catch fire and burn down.[1]
On April 19, 1987, three people were trampled to death as the audience rushed to the stage at the beginning of a concert by Laughin' Nose.[5] [6] On September 20, 1987, Show-Ya held the first Naon no Yaon music festival at the venue. They held it annually for five years until 1991 and revived it for a one-off in 2008.[7] In 2013, Naon no Yaon was fully resurrected in conjunction with the 90th anniversary of Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall and has been held annually since.[8]
Elephant Kashimashi first performed at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 1990, and it has become a tradition with them performing at the venue every year since.[9]
In 2018, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu hosted a concert commemorating the venue's 95th anniversary.[10] Beginning in April and set to continue until November, around 40 performances are scheduled to be held at the venue in 2023 in celebration of its 100th anniversary.[1]
The Tokyo government decided to rebuild Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 2021. Plans include constructing a roof over the stage and the front row seats, and enhancing the backstage area as performers have complained the preparation and waiting areas are cramped and difficult to use.[1] Demolition of the existing hall is set to begin in or after fiscal 2024.[1]