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Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Project
Summary
Based on the urban structure of the Jingu Gaien District, which was developed in the Taisho period (1912-1926), this district has a grand urban landscape with a natural environment of lush greenery. The area contains the city planning Meiji Park and a designated scenic area. The district has also been home to many of Japan’s leading sports facilities, including the former National Stadium, which was the main venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The district has formed a major hub for not only athletes but also people to enjoy sports.
By seizing the opportunity of constructing a new National Stadium, we will create a new sports hub that will attract many visitors both from within and outside Japan. In addition, we will preserve the cityscape of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery seen from the rows of gingko trees, considered one of the symbolic scenes of Tokyo.
We will also promote urban development that will become a new attraction for the thriving city of Tokyo, by creating a grand cityscape with lush greenery and a barrier-free environment for pedestrians.
By the time the Tokyo 2020 Games were held, we strived to develop pedestrian networks and pedestrian pockets to ensure the safe and comfortable movement of a large number of spectators going to and coming from sports facilities such as the New National Stadium, and to create a cluster of sports facilities. As part of such efforts, we have consolidated the headquarters functions of sports-related organizations, including the relocation of Kishi Memorial Hall, which houses the headquarters of the Japan Sport Association (the redevelopment of District a).
Following the Tokyo 2020 Games, we will tackle with the redevelopment of the district to create an attractive, multi-functional urban area with a cluster of sports facilities, while preserving a grand urban landscape with lush greenery (the redevelopment of District b).
Factsheet on the Redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien Revised Feb 2023(PDF:2,140KB)
For more information on “Frequently asked questions,” please click here .
The map of the Jingu Gaien District before its redevelopment (as of the time when the original redevelopment plan was adopted in 2013) .
1) A conceptual image of the New National Stadium
Created by the joint venture of Taisei Corp., Azusa Sekkei Co., and Kengo Kuma & Associates. Provided on courtesy of the Japan Sports Council.
Notes: This perspective drawing shows a conceptual image of the stadium upon its completion and may differ from the actual one. The greenery area is one that is expected to look like approximately ten years after the construction of the stadium.
2) The Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery is seen from the rows of ginkgo trees in the Jingu Gaien District (Source: from the Meiji Jingu Gaien website).
A conceptual image of the redevelopment of the District b
Drawn by Nikken Sekkei Ltd. and Mitsui Fudosan Co.
Note: The perspective drawing is a projected image upon completion of the redevelopment project and may differ from the actual one.
Major developments thus far
December 2010
Formulation of the Action Program 2011 for the “Tokyo in 10 years”
As the guiding principle for the future, major sports bases, which center around such facilities as the New National Stadium, Musashino Forest Sports Plaza, Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground, have been developed. The New National Stadium and other sports facilities in the adjacent area have presented as a cluster of sports facilities in the Jingu Gaien District, a future image to be developed, through the use of a special zone system.
December 2011
Formulation of the plan titled “Tokyo in 2020” (The development of four major clusters of sports facilities)
The plan calls for the creation of a bustling area that is capable of attracting a large number of visitors through the aggregation of diverse facilities, centering around large-scale sports facilities, thus rejuvenating a lively area while also promoting sports. Under this plan, the Jingu Gaien District has been considered as one of the four major clusters of sports facilities.
June 2013
Adoption of the district plan of the Jingu Gaien District, and the changes to the city planning Meiji Park
We have decided to push forward with the redevelopment of urban areas, which would add allure to the thriving city of Tokyo, by creating a grand urban landscape with lush greenery and developing barrier-free passages for pedestrians in the entire Jingu Gaien District.
We have also reorganized the city planning park area by making use of the multi-level city-planning park system so as to enhance the park’s functions. To be specific, we have decided to create ample space where people can feel their sense of relief, with plazas, pedestrian’s passages and pedestrian pockets are arranged harmoniously with the park.
The areas to be covered by the redevelopment plan: Kita Aoyama 1-chome, Minato City, Kasumigaoka- machi, Shijuku City, Sendagaya 1-chome, Shibuya City, and others.
The total area to be covered by the redevelopment plan: about 64.3 ha.
October 2016
Changes to the district plan of the Jingu Gaien District and the city planning Meiji Park
Changes were made to the district plan in conjunction with the formulation of a new district redevelopment plan, etc., to create a cluster of sports facilities.
Along with the changes in the district plan, such as the addition and modification of district facilities (zoned roads, pedestrian pathways, plazas, greenways, etc.), the area of a city planning Meiji Park was also changed.
December 2016
Start of construction of the New National Stadium
March 2017
Changes to the district plan of the Jingu Gaien District
The district plan was changed in conjunction with the formulation of a new development plan and so forth in order to develop open spaces with lush greenery, by utilizing existing trees, and to add various functions such as accommodation and exchange facilities that will create a lively atmosphere.
July 2017
Completion of the construction of the new building of the Nippon Seinenkan and that of the Japan Sport Council
Started construction of a new building of the Japan Sport Association.
November 2017
Alteration of the city planning Meiji Park
Partial changes were made to the multi-dimensional aspects of the city planning Meiji Park so as to enhance comfortable open spaces and pedestrian networks in the vicinity of the New National Stadium.
November 2018
Formulation of the “Guidelines for Redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien District in the post-Tokyo 2020 Games era”
To realize the goals set forth in the district plan, the guidelines were formulated to show the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) policy of guiding the private developers to implement urban development of the district, with the post-Tokyo 2020 Games era in mind, and the requirements for the use of the park-centered urban development system, thus having them appropriately carry out urban development, with the private-sector entities taking the proactive roles.
April 2019
Completion of the JAPAN SPORT OLYMPIC SQUARE (a new building of the Japan Sport Association)
November 2019
Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier opens.
November 2019
Completion of the New National Stadium
July 2021
Regarding the proposition on the “park-centered urban development project in the Jingu Gaien District,” the TMG notified the project developers of its adopting the system of park-centered urban development.
March 2022
Changes to the district plan of the Jingu Gaien District and changes to the urban planning of the city planning park Meiji Park
Based on the “Guidelines for the Redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien District in the Post-Tokyo 2020 Games,” the TMG will preserve and maintain a grand cityscape of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery seen from the rows of ginkgo trees -- considered symbolic of the city of Tokyo --, together with renovating the functions of the sports facilities in the district. For this purpose, the system of park-centered urban development will be used.
At the same time, the urban functions for commercial and business activities, and human interchange will be renewed in the areas along Aoyama Dori Ave., thus creating an alluring urban district with an atmosphere of elegance and vitality harmonized.
Therefore, the TMG, in step with the realization of the redevelopment project, has made changes to the district plan of the Jingu Gaien District, and the urban planning of the city planning park Meiji Park.
February 2023
The undertaking of the Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project in the Jingu Gaien District approved
April 2023
TMG resubmitted its request regarding the redevelopment project of the Jingu Gaien District to the organizations involved
Frequently asked questions
General
Q1. Who are the developers, or the organizations involved in the project, for the redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien District?
Answer: They are Meiji Jingu, a religious corporation, the Japan Sports Council, an independent administrative agency, ITOCHU Corp., and Mitsui Fudosan Co.
Q2. What is the significance of the redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien District?
Answer: The Jingu Gaien District is a major center for ordinary citizens and athletes to enjoy sports, while it also makes up a grand urban landscape with lush greenery, centering on the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and rows of ginkgo trees.
On the other hand, the district faces diverse problems in terms of urban development such as: aging sports and other facilities, outdated grounds and facilities for holding and viewing sports events; few open spaces for people to casually enjoy sports and other activities or gain free access to enjoy greenery; congestion caused by insufficient walking space for pedestrians, and a lack of continuous barrier-free passages.
To resolve these problems and create a refined, world-class sports hub with lush greenery and vitality, the developers will join hands, on the basis of the “guidelines for the urban development in the Jingu Gaien District in the post-Tokyo 2020 Games era” and other guidelines formulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG).
Q3. How will the redevelopment project change the sports environment in the district?
Answer: In this urban development project, aging large-scale sports facilities will be rebuilt in new locations in stages while using existing facilities, by taking into consideration the continuity of sports events. The project also aims to improve the space for holding and viewing sports events by expanding the space for athletic competition, ensuring a barrier-free path for the flow of people, developing an ample range of seats for spectators, and making the facilities more accessible to spectators in wheelchairs.
In addition, the redevelopment plan also aims to provide everyone with opportunities to enjoy diverse sports in the district as a whole. For example, the central plaza will be used to hold sports events in which anyone can participate.
In the multi-purpose complex B, indoor courts for ball games will be created to help people interact with one another via diverse sports, while the rugby stadium will be built as an all-weather facility that can be used for a variety of purposes, including other sports and holding events.
By creating new facilities and spaces, which can be used by an unspecified number of people, together with sports facilities tailored to specific needs, the project aims to create an environment where anyone can become familiar with sports on a daily basis.
Q4. How will the redevelopment change open spaces and barrier-free access in the district?
Answer: A plaza-like open space will be arranged around the sports facilities, in due consideration of securing ample space for people to gather. Meanwhile, a central plaza measuring approximately 1.5 hectares will be developed between the baseball and rugby stadiums, which will also contribute to the improvement of disaster preparedness as a wide-area evacuation site.
The front yard of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery will be redeveloped as an open lawn square where anyone can freely step into and relax, based on the image of the lawn that existed when the gallery was established. As a result, the ratio of open space to the total area will be increased from 21% to 44%.
In addition to incorporating barrier-free design for sports and other facilities, we will establish a barrier-free flow line to connect the subway station with the sports facilities and plazas in the district. We also have plans to develop a high-quality walking space for pedestrians where they can enjoy relaxing or walking.
Q5. Will the redevelopment increase opportunities for Tokyo residents to casually enjoy sports?
Answer: Under the “guidelines for the urban development of the Jingu Gaien District in the post-Tokyo 2020 Games era,” a sports hub will be created with space where everyone can enjoy sports.
In line with this policy, the developers will develop a 1.5-hectare lawn plaza in the center of the district which everyone can make use of. This will enable people to get involved in various initiatives that utilize the legacy of the Tokyo2020 Games, such as interacting with professional athletes and experiencing para-sports. The plaza will also be used for sports events that everyone, including children, the elderly, and the disabled, can take part in.
In the multi-purpose Complex B, indoor courts for ball games will be developed for people to interact with one another through diverse sports, such as futsal and boccia, which attracted attention at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Meanwhile, the new rugby stadium will be built as an all-weather multi-purpose facility to hold other types of sports and events.
We are also looking into creating opportunities for people to take part in sports even in facilities designed for cultural exchange. Therefore the project is aimed at developing spaces for everyone to become familiar with sports in the district as a whole.
Q6. Will the redevelopment change disaster preparedness of the district?
Answer: Besides the development of a 2.5-hectare lawn square in front of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, a 1.5-hectare central lawn plaza, and other open spaces, we will also consider utilizing these areas as an ambulance helicopter pad adjacent to a medical institution, a temporary heliport in times of disaster, and a rescue operation space, etc., thus enhancing disaster prevention functions of the district.
Meanwhile, sports facilities and private commercial facilities in the district will also be utilized as temporary accommodation facilities for people who have difficulty returning home in times of disaster. The district’s disaster preparedness will also be improved by building warehouses for the stockpiling and provision of emergency goods.
Q7. What kind of information has the TMG disclosed about the urban development in the Jingu Gaien District?
Answer: The TMG has set up a website for the Jingu Gaien Redevelopment Project for public viewing. This outlines the whole project as well as the current status of developments in the district and redevelopment plans.
When drawing up the “guidelines for the urban development of the Jingu Gaien District in the post-Tokyo 2020 Games era,” we gathered opinions from a wide range of Tokyo citizens. After formulating the guidelines, we have them made public on our website.
We also ensure to gather public opinion during the urban planning process and when changes are made to the plan through explanatory meetings, transparency in making the plan open to the public, and accepting their opinions, which were later submitted to the TMG’s City Planning Council before adopting the plan.
We also disclosed the draft of the environmental impact assessment of the project on the website, while making the draft open to people, accepting their opinions, and holding meetings to hear their perspectives.
In addition, on August 18, 2022, we released the “Fact Sheet on Urban Development of the Jingu Gaien District” that plainly summarizes the basic facts about how the urban redevelopment project has been drawn up, and how it will evolve in the future.
Matters related to trees and greenery
Q8. Will the development increase the amount of greenery in the Jingu Gaien District?
Answer: According to the developers’ draft proposal - covering an approximately 28.4-hectare portion of the whole district under the urban development plan centering on a park - the number of trees will increase from the hitherto 1,904 to 1,998. Also, according to a similar plan proposed by them, the percentage of greenery to the total area will be increased from approximately 25% to about 30%.
The developers began an additional, detailed survey of the existing trees in April 2022. They will strive to preserve, or transport, as many trees as possible by carrying out a detailed survey of the trees’ condition taking into account the expertise of arborists and tree surgeons to devise the best plan.
The project calls for the creation of new greenery, with the use of the lawns and tall trees in the 1.5-hectare-wide plaza located in the center of the district, the 2.5-hectare-wide square in front of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery -- based on the image of the lawn that existed when the gallery was established --, and the open spaces surrounding the sports facilities.
While maintaining and managing these trees and lawns properly, the project also envisages nurturing trees to improve the greenery, thus enhancing the entire green space of the Jingu Gaien District. In planting new trees, consideration will be given to biodiversity and creating seasonal shades of greenery with a distinctive Japanese feel, by mainly using those species which were planted when the district was first developed as well as native species native to Tokyo.
Q9: Will the number of trees be increased?
Answer: Concerning the existing trees, the developers began an additional, detailed survey in April 2022. The plan is to increase the number of trees from the current 1,904 to 1,998 by planting new trees, treating each of the existing trees with care, preserving or transplanting as many as possible while taking the opinions of arborists and tree surgeons into consideration.
According to the document submitted by the developers to the City Planning Council of the Shinjuku City in January 2022, in the project, 892 existing trees will be cut down.
The results of the survey are being made public on the websites of the developers.
Q10: Will the four rows of ginkgo trees that symbolize the Jingu Gaien District be preserved?
Answer: You can read about the efforts being made by the developers to preserve the four rows of ginkgo trees on their websites.
As for the existing trees, we have requested that the developers commit, in writing, to treating each tree with care and striving to preserve the quality of rich natural environment of the Jingu Gaien District; we have asked, in particular, that they take all possible measures to preserve the four rows of ginkgo trees that symbolize the district. They will do so by conducting a detailed survey on their condition, publicizing the result, and preserving or transplanting as many trees as possible while taking the opinions of arborists and tree surgeons into consideration and adjusting designs accordingly.
Q11. Will the rows of ginkgo trees along the Minato City road leading to the Chichibunomiya Memorial Rugby Stadium be preserved?
Answer: The developers will conduct a detailed survey and consider whether or not to transplant them.
Matters related to urban planning and relevant systems
Q12. How was the Meiji Jingu Gaien designated as a city planning park (and a park/green space designated under the City Planning Law)?
Answer: The Meiji Jingu Gaien District was developed in October 1926 as a garden attached to a Shinto shrine in a rich natural environment, with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery at its center, together with the Constitution Memorial Hall, and various sports facilities.
In 1946, in order to quickly recover from the war damage, the Post-war Reconstruction Agency announced a chain of green zones surrounding the city center, including the Jingu Gaien District, as “Inner Circular Green Space,” a green space under the post-war reconstruction plan of Tokyo.
In 1949, the “Inner Circular Green Space” was reviewed, and Meiji Shrine was designated as a city planning park under the Special City Planning Act in 1950. Later, in 1957, when a comprehensive review of city planning parks and green space was carried out, the Jingu Gaien District was again designated as a city planning Meiji Park because of its similarity in style to a park and its openness to the general public.
Q13. What is the “area of a scenic beauty,” system which covers most of the district under the redevelopment project? And, what kind of building restrictions are there in such a scenic area?
Answer: It is a system designed to maintain the city’s scenic beauty, namely natural landscapes consisting of wooded areas, waterfront areas, etc. It is to designate those districts in a city, which form a good natural landscape, and to identify areas where it is necessary to maintain the scenic beauty to preserve the urban environment under the land-use planning.
Based on the ordinance of that ward, building restrictions are stipulated for each area as classified according to its current condition and the characteristics within the area.
The area in question -- except for the lot along the Aoyama-dori avenue -- is designated as “located in the vicinity of the outer garden within the Meiji Shrine.” For example, the Minato City’s ordinance on areas of a scenic beauty stipulates that the building-coverage ratio along the avenue of ginkgo trees should be 40% or less and the height should be 15 meters or less.
Q14. Why can a skyscraper be built in a “scenic area”?
Answer: A high-rise building can be built with the permission of the city if it is deemed to be in harmony with the surrounding landscape, and the building plan is covered by a method of urban development, which takes the public into account and it adheres to the “guidelines for the urban development of the Jingu Gaien District.” This does not include the lot along the Aoyama-dori avenue.
Q15. What is “park-centered urban development”?
Answer: The system of park-centered urban development is designed to create comfortable urban space with greenery and open spaces. The system looks to seize opportunities of private-sector development in city planning parks and green spaces, including those areas that have not been in use for a long time in the “center-core area”-- the inner area circled by the central ring road of the Metropolitan Expressway. It is also aimed at solving local issues while balancing urban development and the improvement of parks and green spaces.
(Those parks and open spaces into which everyone can enter and use are called a “lot in common use,” whereas other areas are called the “lot not in common use.”)
Q16. What are the reasons for utilizing the “park-centered urban development” system for the redevelopment of the Jingu Gaien District?
Answer: The Meiji Jingu Gaien District was designated as a city planning Meiji Park under the City Planning Law in 1957. In the district, the lot where the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and other facilities stand are treated as ones not in common use.
And, the Jingu Gaien District faces diverse problems in terms of urban development such as: aging sports and other facilities, outdated environments for holding and watching sports events, few open spaces for people to casually enjoy sports and other activities or gain free access to enjoy greenery; congestion caused by insufficient walking space for pedestrians, and a lack of continuous barrier-free passages.
To solve these problems, the project is to reorganize this city planning park area and create a lush, high-quality park-like area as a whole, including the creation of a central plaza and a barrier-free pedestrian network connecting the station and facilities, in conjunction with the reconstruction of sports facilities. To do so, the city will seize opportunities of the private-sector development plan while utilizing the “park-centered urban development” system -- a method designed to balance the development of a community and a park -- and inducing excellent private-sector development based on the urban development guidelines.
Q17. What is the “system of a zoning plan that designates areas for redevelopment promotion?”
Answer: The system promotes the smooth land-use conversion of land use in areas with a considerable stretch of land, such as large areas of low- or underutilized land. The system is aimed at advancing the reasonable, sound, and efficient use of land and improving urban functions. It is also aimed at carrying out an integrated and comprehensive redevelopment or development of urban areas, on the basis of plans for an integrated development of urban infrastructure such as public facilities and quality buildings.
Q18.What will be achieved by establishing a "District Plan for Redevelopment Promotion District" in a city planning park?
Answer: According to the operational guidelines on the city planning, the purpose of a “zoning plan that designates areas for redevelopment promotion” is to promote a smooth conversion of land use in a large plot of low- and underutilized land, by encouraging projects that would contribute to the formation of good urban assets. This will contribute to the development and improvement of the urban environment, while promoting the advanced use of land and urban functions.
By utilizing the park-centered urban development system to cover areas,* we can seize the momentum of private-sector urban development to make best use of the functions of parks, such as improving disaster preparedness of the area and creating urban spaces rich in green, while balancing urban development and park development.
* Including city planning parks and green spaces in the center-core area that have not been in use for a long time.
Q19. What would be achieved by having those floor space of buildings within the city planning park -- such as sports facilities -- to be made abundant by holding down their floor-area ratio ? allocated to office buildings and multi-purpose complex in the surrounding area?
Answer: While attracting many visitors to the large-scale sports facilities in the district, the Jingu Gaien District faces problems such as a lack of spaces where people can freely enter to enjoy greenery, sports or other activities.
To tackle these issues, the TMG, in its guidelines for urban development, has set forth measures to create a lively atmosphere along the Aoyama-dori avenue and other streets through high-level usage of land, while preserving the view from the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and the rows of ginkgo trees, as well as securing a large plaza space that constitutes the center of the whole district.
Based on this guideline, the latest plan is to reduce the floor space of the stadium and other facilities, and allocate that space to facilities located along the Aoyama-dori avenue and the Stadium-dori avenue, thus placing high-rise buildings with the function of creating a lively atmosphere.
These measures will make it possible to realize a future image desirable for the district, by creating cityscapes and adopting functions suited to the characteristics of the district, and can appropriately guide the height and size of the buildings.
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Land Use Planning Section, Bureau of Urban Development |