Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Tokyo to go ahead with new volleyball facility despite spiralling costs of 2020 Games
POSTED 16 Dec 2016 . BY Matthew Campelli
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has scrapped plans to use the Yokohama Arena for the Olympic volleyball tournament Credit: AP/Press Association Images
Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will reject the chance to host volleyball in an existing facility and build a new venue despite it adding to the spiralling cost of the Games.

The development of the Ariake Arena was part of the original plans put forward to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but the rising cost of hosting the event resulted in the organisers considering a facility in nearby Yokohama.

However, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that city governor Yuriko Koike will scrap the Yokohama Arena proposal and build the Ariake Arena, which has been designed by Japanese architecture studio Kume Sekkei.

Koike said she that following the 2020 Games, Ariake Arena could be used for other sports and cultural events, mirroring the kind of legacy created by London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a centrepiece of the 2012 Games.

Plans will be submitted to a four-party working group – which includes the IOC – next Wednesday.

Games organisers are still hoping to keep the cost of the event below US$20bn (£16.1bn, €19.2bn), although this is still a large amount, even for hosting the Olympics.

Plans to use existing facilities for three venues will not go ahead, although some cost-cutting measures, such as trimming the number of seats in the swimming venue, will be employed.

Construction costs after the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan five years ago are being cited as the reason for the increased cost of building venues.
The Ariake Arena has been handed a reprieve and now looks set to be built Credit: Kume Sekkei
RELATED STORIES
  FEATURE: Olympic Sports: 2020 vision Vision


How will joining the Olympic family will impact the five new sports chosen for Tokyo 2020?
  Five new sports close to making the Tokyo 2020 cut


The inclusion of five new sports in the Olympic Games programme moved closer following recommendations made by the board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  FEATURE: Events: Tokyo 2020


New sports, stadium controversy and selfdriving taxis – Tokyo 2020, the story so far
  Kengo Kuma hits back in Tokyo 2020 stadium row


The architect developing Japan’s National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has publicly refuted claims his studio have copied from an earlier design submitted by Zaha Hadid Architects.
MORE NEWS
One in three spa practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to concerns about their own wellbeing
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
UK updates physical activity guidelines with focus on daily movement
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Sauna advocate Becky Pelkonen drafts global public sauna-bathing charter
Becky Pelkonen, the sauna advocate and researcher, has unveiled the draft of a global public sauna-bathing charter.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Seed To Skin

Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line. [more...]
UK Spa Association

Our mission is to raise awareness of our industry within schools, colleges, society and crucially at [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Tokyo to go ahead with new volleyball facility despite spiralling costs of 2020 Games
POSTED 16 Dec 2016 . BY Matthew Campelli
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has scrapped plans to use the Yokohama Arena for the Olympic volleyball tournament Credit: AP/Press Association Images
Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will reject the chance to host volleyball in an existing facility and build a new venue despite it adding to the spiralling cost of the Games.

The development of the Ariake Arena was part of the original plans put forward to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but the rising cost of hosting the event resulted in the organisers considering a facility in nearby Yokohama.

However, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that city governor Yuriko Koike will scrap the Yokohama Arena proposal and build the Ariake Arena, which has been designed by Japanese architecture studio Kume Sekkei.

Koike said she that following the 2020 Games, Ariake Arena could be used for other sports and cultural events, mirroring the kind of legacy created by London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a centrepiece of the 2012 Games.

Plans will be submitted to a four-party working group – which includes the IOC – next Wednesday.

Games organisers are still hoping to keep the cost of the event below US$20bn (£16.1bn, €19.2bn), although this is still a large amount, even for hosting the Olympics.

Plans to use existing facilities for three venues will not go ahead, although some cost-cutting measures, such as trimming the number of seats in the swimming venue, will be employed.

Construction costs after the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan five years ago are being cited as the reason for the increased cost of building venues.
The Ariake Arena has been handed a reprieve and now looks set to be built Credit: Kume Sekkei
RELATED STORIES
FEATURE: Olympic Sports: 2020 vision Vision


How will joining the Olympic family will impact the five new sports chosen for Tokyo 2020?
Five new sports close to making the Tokyo 2020 cut


The inclusion of five new sports in the Olympic Games programme moved closer following recommendations made by the board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
FEATURE: Events: Tokyo 2020


New sports, stadium controversy and selfdriving taxis – Tokyo 2020, the story so far
Kengo Kuma hits back in Tokyo 2020 stadium row


The architect developing Japan’s National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has publicly refuted claims his studio have copied from an earlier design submitted by Zaha Hadid Architects.
MORE NEWS
One in three spa practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to concerns about their own wellbeing
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
UK updates physical activity guidelines with focus on daily movement
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Sauna advocate Becky Pelkonen drafts global public sauna-bathing charter
Becky Pelkonen, the sauna advocate and researcher, has unveiled the draft of a global public sauna-bathing charter.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
Anna Bjurstam steps down from Six Senses to build new company Wahayla
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Seed To Skin

Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS