How about a round of sports? Right here stands the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, a renowned indoor sporting arena in Namba, Osaka. It is more than just a building. It’s a place where sporting dreams come alive.
The Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium first opened its doors in 1952. The current structure was built in 1987. It has a capacity of 8,000 people. This arena hosts a professional sumo tournament every March. Sumo contributes significantly to its revenue. In 2006 sumo accounted for 80 million yen of the gymnasium’s 260 million yen revenue.
In 2008 there was a plan to demolish the gymnasium. The Japan Sumo Association expressed surprise at this. Fortunately, it was saved.
The arena was renamed Bodymaker Colosseum in March 2012. This was after BB Sports bought the naming rights. The name reverted in April 2015 when the deal wasn’t renewed. Then, in June 2015, Edion Corporation secured the naming rights. It became Edion Arena Osaka.
The Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium isn’t just for sumo. It has hosted professional wrestling shows. These include Osaka Hurricane, NJPW Dominion, NJPW Power Struggle, and The New Beginning in Osaka. In 2019 Rizin 19 mixed martial arts fight took place here. The International Lethwei Federation Japan held an event here in 2023.
You can play various sports here. Volleyball, basketball, judo, and gymnastics are popular. Classes such as yoga and aerobics are also held. The gymnasium has stadiums and dojos for various sports. You can find volleyball, basketball, tennis, handball, badminton, table tennis, judo, kendo, gymnastics, and boxing facilities. A multipurpose hall and meeting rooms are also available.
The gymnasium is easily accessible. It’s a short walk from Namba Station. The Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Nankai Line are close.
Interestingly, the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium is featured in the manga/anime series Fighting Spirit. It appears as a venue for boxing matches. It’s also in the Victorious Boxers video game.
The Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium stands as a testament to Osaka’s sporting culture. It’s a place where athletes compete and fans gather. It’s a venue that has evolved. It continues to contribute to Osaka’s vibrant atmosphere.