The “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK,” a facility used as a venue for the Tokyo Olympics, is now fully open! Our PR representative explores the attractions of the facility.

Hello! I am Tomita from Social Relations Division 3.

The Tokyo Olympics, held in 2020, were the first in the history of the modern Olympics to be conducted without spectators due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hard to believe that four years have already passed since then.

I remember being a student back then, playing soccer every day. Since retiring from the sport, I have had fewer opportunities to touch a ball and have become quite out of shape (laughs).

Although the Japanese Olympic soccer team unfortunately finished in fourth place, just one step away from a medal, they gave many people courage and inspiration!

In this context, SUNNY SIDE UP was in charge of the PR for the “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK,” which served as the venue for skateboarding and bouldering during the Tokyo Olympics. We developed strategies to utilize the site as a legacy (social heritage) even after the games.

To encourage people to try urban sports and physical activity, an opening event was held for three days following the full opening. It featured competitions and workshops for seven sports fitting for an “Urban Sports Park”: skateboarding, bouldering, BMX, roller freestyle, parkour, and breaking.

This allowed visitors to experience firsthand the joy of watching, participating in, and enjoying urban sports.

While it is rare to find facilities in Tokyo where one can enjoy sports in such a spacious environment, we focused our communication on the fact that “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK” makes this possible.

In this article, we will share not only the media preview but also an introduction to the facility and the highlights of the opening event!

A 3.1-hectare site in Tokyo. A spot to share the joy of physical activity!

The greatest attraction of the facility is that it is the hallowed ground in Ariake where Yuto Horigome won his gold medal during the Tokyo Olympics. It offers a wide variety of activities, from sports to gourmet food, in a space so vast it is hard to believe it is in Tokyo.

True to the concept of “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK,” which is “Turning the former site into a hallowed ground where everyone can play,” the facility has been bustling with many visitors since its full opening.

A key feature is the maximum utilization of the Tokyo Olympic legacy site, incorporating not only urban sports like skateboarding but also a food mall, green shop, BBQ area, and cafe.

Furthermore, it is only a 3-minute walk from Ariake-tennis-no-mori Station, which is incredibly convenient for users. From the giant athletic course, which I will introduce later, you can even see the Rainbow Bridge!

It is rare to find a facility where you can experience multiple sports all day long in one place, making it a perfect date spot for sports enthusiasts.

Demonstrations by athletes! Packed with attractions

First to appear was Tomoya Ochiai, who competed as a member of the Japanese national team at the Tokyo Olympics!

He performed a 3×3 basketball demonstration alongside former professional baseball player Yuki Saito.

With precise advice from Ochiai, Yuki Saito easily scored goals. Afterward, Ochiai also successfully made shots, drawing cheers from the crowd!

Next was a bouldering demonstration by Akiyo Noguchi.

Akiyo Noguchi, who specializes in steep “roof” courses, reached the top with ease, even finding the composure to smile and wave to the crowd! Truly impressive.

Some of the holds used are actually the ones from the Olympics, so anyone can challenge the Olympic wall!

With instructors available to provide guidance, we encourage everyone to give it a try!

The ultimate multi-purpose commercial facility! Fun for children and adults alike!?

It is no exaggeration to say that the most popular attraction is this powerful athletic course named MONSTER JUNGLE.

Its size is so immense that it is the first thing you notice upon arriving at the facility. On holidays, the wait time can apparently reach two hours.

The attraction is accessible to everyone, with a dedicated area for children. In addition to the scale, height, and impact rarely experienced elsewhere, there are also clever gimmicks that ensure both adults and children will be fully satisfied!

Furthermore, this athletic course does not follow a one-way concept; if you find a course you like, you can go back and challenge it as many times as you want.

While it requires mutual consideration, it was designed with the hope that people will engage in various forms of communication with those they are playing with.

I am not particularly fond of heights myself and haven’t tried it yet, but I hope to take on the challenge if I get the chance! (laughs)

After working up a sweat with sports like bouldering and athletics, you can relax at the BBQ and cafe facilities. There is also a multi-purpose store for dog lovers called HOT DOG TOWN Ariake, which attracted many people with their dogs over the weekend!

“Enjoy being yourself, no matter what your mood is.”

This is the sentiment behind the smoothies from modeTM super smoothie. They offer a wide variety, including superfoods, protein, and caramel options.

Ranked 10th in the “World Food Championship,” the exquisite burgers from the highly popular Shiomi Skippers are incredibly juicy and delicious!!

OPENING FES held! Heated matches at each facility

The goals on this 3×3 basketball court were also actually used in the Tokyo Olympics! The children were very enthusiastic (laughs).

It is rare in other sports to be able to see the intense offense and defense between players from such a close distance!

Since a shot must be taken within 12 seconds, the transitions are rapid and the action is intense, making the unpredictability of the winner part of the appeal of 3×3. Additionally, the audience can participate by clapping in unison with the players, making the venue a huge success!

At the skateboarding park, competitions such as the “AJSA 2024 PRO TOUR ‘MBM CUP’ supported by Masaken Co., Ltd.” were held! The “5th Parkour Japan Championships” also took place, with many highlights as athletes performed consecutive rotations.

I believe awareness of parkour will continue to grow from here on!

What is Pickleball!? The sport trending worldwide

Pickleball is a racket sport born in the United States in 1965 that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. It has gained rapid popularity in recent years, with approximately 9 million players in the U.S., making it the fastest-growing sport in the world.

The court size is the same as badminton, and players use a racket called a “paddle” to hit a lightweight, perforated plastic ball back and forth!

The Pacific PICKLE CLUB (pickleball court and cafe) is also on-site. With the goal of popularizing pickleball in Japan, “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK” handles operations as well as the sale of original apparel and goods.

Why not experience a sport that everyone from seniors to children can enjoy, regardless of athletic ability!?

As evening falls, the atmosphere changes completely from the daytime, transforming into a calm and relaxed space.I was able to take some wonderful photos!

This was my first time participating in an OPENING FES like this, but thanks to the excellent weather and the smiles of the visitors, I believe I had a very fulfilling time!

In the future, I am sure that a future Olympic gold medalist will emerge from among those who use this “livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK.”

I will continue to work hard to become a PR professional who possesses as much passion as those aiming to be future Olympians, capable of creating the “exciting buzz” (tanoshii sawagi) that is the slogan of SUNNY SIDE UP.