Yoyogi Park BE STAGE, a new park facility built on the site of the former Kishi Memorial Gymnasium and an expansion of Yoyogi Park, began operating in parts on February 20th, with facilities and stores within the park opening sequentially from March 15th.

Left: Kishi Memorial Gymnasium (photographed in July 2019) Right: The plan is to expand in two zones, and the newly opened zone is the "Green and Gathering Zone" on the north side (former site of Kishi Memorial Gymnasium) (From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Yoyogi Park Development, Management and Operation Project: Public Offering Installation Guidelines")

The expansion of Yoyogi Park is planned to utilize the former Kishi Memorial Gymnasium site, located on the southeast side of the National Yoyogi Stadium, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau Pump Station, located to the south, to expand the park area by 4,182 square meters. The new park will be used in two zones: the Green and Gathering Zone (the former Kishi Memorial Gymnasium site) on the north side, and the Woodland and Healing Garden Zone (currently the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau Pump Station) on the south side. In particular, the Green and Gathering Zone, which is the former site of the Kishi Memorial Gymnasium, where the headquarters of Japan's sports organizations were once concentrated, will be developed with facilities aimed at sports and health promotion. In addition, a highly mobile space design will be created that allows both zones to be used as one, and further greening will be promoted while maintaining continuity with the existing Yoyogi Park A (forest park) and B (stadiums, event plazas, etc.) areas.

Yoyogi Park BE STAGE, a new park facility in the Green and Gathering Zone

A new urban park model utilizing Park-PFI

The development of the northern Greenery and Gathering Zone will be the first time since the Tokyo 2020 Games that Tokyo has utilized the Park-PFI system based on the Urban Parks Act. Park-PFI is a system in which management and operation is entrusted to private companies, and restaurants, shops, and other businesses are permitted to operate within the park in order to improve convenience for park users and reduce the financial burden on local governments, with the profits being used to maintain, renovate, and otherwise improve the park.

Shibuya Ward's first Park-PFI, Chatan Park, reopened in April 2021.

Shibuya Ward introduced the system for the first time in 2020, and in April 2021, Shibuya Ward Chatan Park, which will house a Blue Bottle Coffee restaurant, was opened. This is a new attempt to develop parks into more attractive spaces through support from the private sector, which would be difficult for a local government to do alone.

Proposals for park development and operation companies were made in August 2021, and in November, Yoyogi Park STAGES (composed of Tokyu, Ishikatsu Exterior, and Tokyu Community), represented by Tokyu Real Estate, was selected as the designated manager. After about three years, partial operation began in February of this year, and the park has been gradually opened since mid-March.

"Yoyogi Park BE STAGE" - A place to create new challenges

The new park facility is called "Yoyogi Park BE STAGE." Based on the concept of "Become a Beginner," the facility aims to be a place where visitors can take on new challenges. It provides an environment where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including skateboarding, dancing, running, yoga, music, art, and food.

The facility's logo features the green letter "BE," which symbolizes the courage to take a step forward.

The lively square that spreads out in the center

The central area of "BE STAGE," which has already begun operation, houses the park management office, as well as a "lively plaza" where people can gather, a "transmission terrace" where events can be held, and an "urban sports park (skateboard plaza)."

Left: Park Management Office Right: "Urban Sports Park" where you can enjoy skateboarding

In addition, a three-story commercial facility will be opened utilizing the Park-PFI system, with a total of eight commercial stores scheduled to open sequentially.

Image of the popular restaurant "Tiki's Grill & Bar" in Waikiki, Hawaii (opening in late April)

Firstly, on the first floor, the popular "Tiki's Grill & Bar" from Waikiki, Hawaii (opening in late April) will be coming to Japan for the first time, offering a menu representative of Hawaii in a spacious dining area with seating for approximately 160 people. There will also be a dog menu where you can dine with your dog and a wide range of dog services will be offered. The adjacent cafe "NORTH SHORE CAFE" (opening in late April) will sell malasadas, ice cream, drinks and other items that can be taken out within the park.

Left: Exterior of "New Balance Run Hub Yoyogi Park" which opened on March 15th Right: Interior image of "New Balance Run Hub Yoyogi Park"

On the second floor, the "New Balance Run Hub Yoyogi Park" (opening March 15th) for runners will open, selling running-related products and holding regular events. On the same floor, the dance and street sports studio "Spot. Yoyogi Park" (opening April 1st) by Shibuya Future Design will also open.

Left: Image of educational facility "YOYOGI-PARK 'Manabu'" (opening in late April) Right: Image of "YOYOGI-PARK 'Tanoshimu'" (opening in mid-June)

On the third floor, an educational facility called "YOYOGI-PARK 'Manabu'" (opening in late April) will be opened by Sega Sammy Group's MPandC and Lifelong Kindergarten, offering schools taught by top instructors and inquiry-based learning programs. Another space, "YOYOGI-PARK 'Tanoshimu'" (opening in mid-June), will provide a running station, body maintenance, fitness and other services to support the promotion of physical and mental health.

A "barbecue area" and an "aquaponics" tank are scheduled to be installed on the rooftop space around June.

A "BBQ Plaza" (around June) is scheduled to open on the rooftop, where you can enjoy a barbecue while feeling the nature in the middle of the city. In addition, with environmental consideration in mind, an "aquaponics" tank that combines fish farming with hydroponic cultivation of vegetables and herbs is also planned to be installed. Including the area currently under construction, "BE STAGE" is expected to be almost complete by around June.

This area, which runs from Fire Street to Harajuku Station, has been less crowded than the area along Meiji Dori on the opposite side of YAMANOTE LINE, and has not been particularly conspicuous up until now. The opening of BE STAGE is expected to change the streetscape and become a new model for the fusion of parks and the city, and a hub for the community centered on sports and health. Attention will be focused on future developments to see whether it will grow into a place where diverse people gather and new cultures are born.

Venue

Interviews and writing

Editorial Department: Takashi Fujii

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.