Yoyogi Olympic Village
Once a drilling ground for the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, the site utilised to create the Yoyogi Olympic Village for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 had been used to house the occupying US Air Force soldiers and their families for nearly two decades following the end of the war.
After the US agreed to hand the land back to Japan ahead of Tokyo 1964, its transition to accommodation for athletes and coaches from 98 countries during the Olympic Games was seen as a symbolic illustration of Japan’s transformation from an occupied nation to a country of internationalism and peace.
Following the Games, buildings constructed during the US occupation were taken down and, following the park development process between 1966 and 1971, the area was transformed into Yoyogi Park, one of the largest parks in Tokyo. The south-east corner of the park contains a remnant of accommodation from the 1964 Olympic Village, and the park’s Sample Garden serves as another memorial to the Games, containing trees grown from seeds brought to Japan by athletes from various countries.
In addition to its vast forest space, Yoyogi Park has become known for its event area where festivals ranging from concerts to food events are held all year-round.