2023 IAKS Study Trip to Tokyo, Japan

An urban hypoxic environment training facility operated by sports manufacturer ASICS. Each training area can be set to an oxygen concentration equivalent to an altitude from 2,000m to 3,000m. The general public can also take part in training under hypoxic conditions, which has been used to train top athletes, as well as to measure and analyze athletic performance.
The concept is to provide a place for a wide range of people, from athletes to the general public for health purposes, to interact with each other and to offer a better lifestyle.

The 108-meter-long tunnel-like structure has six lanes of a 60-meter running track. Shower rooms and other facilities are wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free, with handicapped sports use in mind. In the adjacent office building, Xiborg has established a laboratory for competitive prosthetics. The facility received the Good Design Award and the Japan Structural Design Award in 2017, the 59th BCS Award in 2018, and the Architectural Institute of Japan Award in 2019, as well as the FRAME Award from the Netherlands.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium was used for gymnastics and water polo at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the current building was redesigned in 1990 by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki, and was used as the table tennis venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition to the main arena, which can accommodate up to 10,000 people, the facility includes a sub-arena, swimming pool, training rooms, futsal courts, and an athletic field, many of which are available for public use.
Despite its futuristic design, the arena portion was buried underground to reduce its height and harmonize it with the neighbouring landscape, given its location at one end of the nature-rich Meiji Jingu Gaien Garden. It has received numerous awards, including the Excellence Prize of the Public Architecture Award 1993 from the Public Buildings Association of Japan.

The National Athletics Stadium was the first full-scale track and field stadium in Japan. It was later developed into a comprehensive stadium and became the main venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In 2019, it was rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed by Kengo Kuma, and used as the main stadium.
With a site area of 109,800 m², a building area of 69,600 m², and a total floor area of 192,000 ², the 350 m x 260 m, five-story above-ground and two-story below-ground stands surround the field, and the three-tiered stands are sloped for easy viewing for an athletic stadium and ball game field. The capacity is 67,750 seats (including approximately 500 wheelchair seats).
The roof is a hybrid structure of steel and wood, cantilevered all the way around, so there are no pillars to block the view from the stands. In addition, almost all of the stands have the same section, and the use of many of the same materials helped to reduce costs.

Gymnasium No. 1 has a total floor area of 28,705 m² and a maximum capacity of 12,934 people. It is one of the few gymnasiums in the world with a suspended roof, and is a masterpiece of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kenzo Tange. Two main wire ropes connect the two main pillars, from which the entire roof is suspended. It is used as a stadium for various sports and as a venue for concerts and other cultural events.
Gymnasium No. 2 has a total floor area of 5,644 m² and a maximum seating capacity of 4,002 people, with the main pipes spiraling from one main pillar to the anchor blocks, from which the entire roof is suspended by trusses between the main pipes and the pillars standing outside the circular stands. The interior of the building has a magnificent conical ceiling.

Meiji Jingu Shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and has been surrounded by a majestic forest for over 100 years.
Shiseikan was established in 1973 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Meiji Shrine. Shiseikan is a comprehensive martial arts centre for the training of young people in sound mind and body and the cultivation of integrity of character through various martial arts (Kyudo, Kendo, Judo, and Aikido). In addition to the First Dojo (Judo, 152 tatami mats), there is a Second Dojo (Kendo, 238 m²), Kyudo (short target), Second Kyudo (short and long targets), and a training room (Bu Gaku, 44 tatami mats). There are four classes: Kyudo, Judo, Kendo, and Budo (Aikido and Kenjutsu), and two courses: Budo and Seishonen Shizenjukuz (place for learning nature for the youth), where students from various backgrounds, including youth, university students, adults, and foreigners, practice daily. The facility also contributes to international understanding by promoting exchange with other countries through martial arts.

The IAKS Study Trip will provide two separate registration options related to interpreting services. International participants will profit from professional interpreting services (Japanese - English) and will thus have a higher registration fee. As for all IAKS events, the organizer provides discounted registration fees for IAKS members.

The travel package includes:
• A two-day tour by coach with tour guides
• Lunches including beverages at identified locations on the tour on 27 and 28 June
• Evening dinner including beverages at the International House of Japan on 27 June
• Interpreting services (Japanese - English) for international participants

Travel to and from Tokyo to be organised individually and on own account (not included in travel package)
Travel time from Narita airport about 90 min
Travel time from Haneda airport about 45 min

Organisational details
• The tour starts on 27 June at 10:00 am and ends on 28 June around 6:00 pm
• Tour by coach
• Japanese - English interpreters
• We recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance as well as health and accident insurance.

Participants
Operators of municipal and private sports and leiusure facilities, architects, planners, investors

Registration fee for the study trip only (no accommodation) - Japanese participants
Price for IAKS members: EUR 560 / JPY 75,000
Price for non-members: EUR 750 / JPY 100,000

Registration fee for the study trip only (no accommodation) - International participants
Price for IAKS members: EUR 675
Price for non-members: EUR 900

Hotel accommodation including breakfast at the International House of Japan (special IAKS rate)
Hotel room, single occupancy: EUR 150 / JPY 20,000 per night
Hotel room, double occupancy: EUR 200 / JPY 27,000 per night

Room description (East Wing Standard)

Guests can inquire about pricing for two bedded rooms if required.