Korakuen Hall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

On March 30, 1993, the Japanese kickboxing promotion K-1 held its first event, K-1 Sanctuary I, at Korakuen Hall. On November 30, 1991, the WWF held a live event at the venue, making it the first American promotion to hold a professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall, preceding later events by other U.S. promotions such as WCW on August 14, 1993. In March 2011, the hall was temporarily closed due to the Tōhoku earthquake and power outages, causing a regular boxing card to be postponed or canceled; no structural damage was reported. The hall resumed events after the closure, and on October 27, 2016, it became the chosen venue for the International Lethwei Federation Japan, with the Lethwei Grand Prix Japan 2016 being the first event of the promotion held there.

In Their Own Story

The Tokyo JCB Hall, also known as Tokyo Dome City Hall, is a facility for sports, fashion shows, and live concerts inside the Tokyo Dome City complex, a few minutes' walk from Korakuen Hall. It was announced that a new version of Korakuen Hall would be built in Tokyo Dome City, acting as Korakuen Hall 2, holding 2,500–3,000 people. Naming rights were purchased by Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), so it opened as JCB Hall. After construction, the Tokyo Dome Corporation, which owns the original Korakuen Hall and the Tokyo Dome, continued to rent out the original Korakuen Hall, lowering rental prices (currently 1,500,000 Yen) to allow smaller promotions to use the building regularly. JCB Hall has hosted Lethwei in Japan 4 and has been rarely used for pro wrestling events after the Pro Wrestling Zero1 show in early 2008. During 2009, JCB Hall was used twice for pro wrestling, both times for a tour ending show by Pro Wrestling Noah.

Reader's Guide

Korakuen Hall offers an intimate experience unlike any modern arena, with capacity approximately 2,000. This closeness creates palpable tension, allowing fans to hear the grunts of exertion during hard-hitting exchanges. The venue has hosted countless weekly television tapings that served as proving grounds for future stars and established veterans alike. Iconic moments include historic title defenses and debut matches for legends who would later dominate global stages. The cultural footprint extends beyond Japan, recognized internationally as a pilgrimage site for puroresu enthusiasts seeking authenticity in their craft. Every match here feels weighty, contributing to the rich history of New Japan's past without the distraction of massive stadium crowds. The atmosphere remains raw and unfiltered, preserving the traditional spirit of strong style wrestling that defined the company's early decades. Fans often travel from across the globe just to witness a single bout within these historic walls, cementing its status as an enduring monument to the sport.

Did You Know?

• Korakuen Hall opened on April 16, 1962, with a capacity of approximately 2,000 people.
• On March 30, 1993, K-1 held its first ever event, K-1 Sanctuary I, at Korakuen Hall.
• On November 30, 1991, the WWF held a live event at the venue, making it the first American promotion to hold a professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall.
• In March 2011, the hall was temporarily closed due to the Tōhoku earthquake and power outages, but no structural damage was reported.