About M-WAVE
There are two facets to M-WAVE that make dreams come true
M-WAVE brought a lot of excitement to Japan during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano as the venue for the speed skating events. It also served as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the ice sledge event of the Winter Paralympic Games in Nagano. It also welcomed the athletes from around the world as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympic Games in 2007.Today, M-WAVE has two recognizable faces: that of a world leading skating arena in winter and as a multifunctional entertainment venue in summer. It is the largest arena in Nagano Prefecture and hosts a variety of events such as sport, music and cultural events.
Enjoy the unique shape of M-WAVE
It received a special award recognizing it as a premiere Japanese structure in 1997. This award is a prestigious global award specifically given to a prominent architectural structure, a previous winner of which is the Opera House in Sydney.
The first indoor speed skating rink in Japan with 400m double tracks
Hosts numerous major speed skating events
Its skating rink is revered as a sacred place among junior skaters in Japan.
The rink is equipped with the latest large screen computerized measurement display system, and has a 6,500 seating capacity. The screen shows the real-time dramas that are repeatedly played out here.
Please come with your family to the Memorial Skating Rink
There is an oval rink 400m in length and 15m in width, a 30m×60m hockey rink is housed inside this oval rink. You can enjoy a variety of events such as skating lessons and even try riding on an ice resurfacing machine. About 100,000 visitors come to skate every year. An ice sculpting exhibition is held at the same time as the opening of the free skating ice rink. There are always plenty of elaborate ideas and all ages will enjoy the creation of these beautiful structures whether or not they are skating.
Environmentally friendly design that improves spectator experience
M-WAVE’s environmentally friendly design enhances the experience of its spectators.1. The heat from the freezer which cools the ice rink is used to heat the inside the hall. This was the first time in the world that the practical use of heat conversion technology on which this is based was used.
2. The large jalousie windows on the arena side gable provide sunshine and natural air flow. They create a comfortable arena and contribute to energy saving.
3. The cooling system uses an environmentally friendly CFC-free ammonia screw freezer.
Multi functional arena. Interior space can be freely designed
When the seats are fixed there are a maximum of 6,500, when they are moved circularly 3,000 seats are available. A variety of floor arrangements are possible so the space can be used freely for concerts, sports events, ceremonies, assemblies etc. It is also possible to host two events at the same time.
A huge space suitable for a trade fair or large-scale show
The layout and space inside the venue is ideal for housing a large number of exhibition booths. A number of trade fairs and large-scale shows are held every year and around 250,000 visitors have a wonderful time.Approximately 300 automobiles can be stored inside the arena and large-sized showpieces are possible such as for farming machinery and caravans or mobile homes.
The arena’s parking can accommodate around 900 automobiles.
Nagano Olympic Museum
Impressions of Nagano Olympic and Paralympic games which were held in 1998 are vividly revived. The actual equipment used in the games can be found here. It is the memorial corner for introducing all of the memorial days.
Hours: 10:00-17:00
No regular closed days (May occasionally close due to M-WAVE schedule) (click here for the M-WAVE shop)
For information regarding unscheduled closures, please contact us by email or fax.
Main showpieces
The Torches
The sacred flame was carried by runners with this torch. The runners carrying the flame took three different routes through the whole prefecture and to all the cities and villages of Nagano to the opening ceremony venue.
Countdown T-shirts
Fumiya Fujii, Tatsuya Ishii, and many other famous people designed these countdown T-shirts. Starting 500 days before the games commenced one limited edition shirt was created each day.
Athletes Lottery Pot
This was used to determine the athletes’ running order and track allocation in speed skating events.
Official Posters
An exhibition of the painter Koji Kinuya’s works and precious official Nagano Olympic games posters.
Medals
A gold-relief lacquerware technique called Makie, which is a traditional and unique craftwork of Japan, was used for the production of the medals presented at The Nagano Olympics. Craftsmen from the Kiso area painstakingly crafted each individual Makie piece.
Laurel Crowns
Mizuhiki cord art was used for the laurel crowns with which the winners at The Nagano Paralympic Games were presented. Each quality item was made using traditional craftsmanship in the Iida area.
Archaic Pot for Olympic Flame
The Olympic Flame of The Nagano Olympic Games was transferred to this pot.
Ice Sledge
This is an ice sledge used by the athletes at The Nagano Paralympic Games.The heated races on sledges like this were very moving.
Two-man Bobsleigh
This two-man sled was used by the Japanese national bobsleigh team.The number of scratches on the surface of this sled are an indication of how challenging the sport is.
Hiroyasu Shimizu’s ‘Slap Skate Shoes’
Hiroyasu Shimizu, a Gold Medalist, used these skates during the Olympics. Shimizu won the men’s 500m speed skating event, and won bronze in the men’s 1000m event.
Uniform of The Japanese Olympic Team
All the athletes who participated in The Nagano Olympic and Paralympic Games wore an identical uniform to this to compete in the events.
Photo Gallery
Skating Season
Skating Events
Outdoor Event
Ice Carving Exhibition
Classic Car Exhibition
Facility Information
| Land area | 111, 500㎡ |
|---|---|
| Building area | 31,300㎡ |
| Total floor area | 76,100㎡ |
| Floors | Three floors above ground, and one floor underground |
| Building Height | Approximately 43m (Height at the center of the inside: approximately 38m) |
| Arena |
Area: Approximately 13,700㎡ (Approximately 17,200㎡ including movable seating)
Fixed seating: Approximately 6,500 seats (Movable seating: 1,210 seats x 2 = 2,420 seats)
Movable seating: 624 seats
Other seating: 3,456 seats
Capacity: 20,000 people
|
| Park area | 4.3ha |
| Outdoor parking | 300 cars (including 60 coaches) |
| Underground parking | 500 cars |
| Ice rink | 400m double-track rink |
| Ice hockey rink | 1 rink (30m x 60m) |
| Movable seating | An automated system is installed in order to deal with specific patterns for a variety of events such as sports events and exhibitions. |
| Sliding batten | 1 set, Hanging objects: 400kg x 4 |
| Hanging batten | 16 pipes, L=12m (Divided into 3 parts to store) |
| Trapdoor lift | Approximately 4m x 8m (Possible lifting volume from the underground to the arena level: Approximately 10t) |
| Training room | Area: 516㎡ Training machines: 38 types |
| Large-scale video screen | 2 screens, Screen size: Approximately 39㎡ per each, Max size to display: Approximately 4.3m in length and approximately 9m in width |
| Elevators | 4 elevators |
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Nagano Olympics Museum
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Objects related to The Nagano Olympic Games are displayed: the Olympic Torch, Olympic medals, photo panels. |
| Shop | Official Olympic goods, official JOC goods, official M-WAVE goods, souvenirs, snacks. |
On the 3rd floor, we have an operations room to control sound and projection in order to deal with various stage performances and events.
The 2 large-scale projection systems and the special sound system which covers the whole arena, along with additional features, make it possible to create a totally new event space.
The VIP room is located on the 3rd floor, this can be divided into up to 11 separate rooms.
One of M-WAVE’s major features is its movable seating, which expands its range as a multi-purpose arena.
This movable seating can be moved around the sides of the arena. Thanks to this system, the most suitable arrangement of the stadium can be designed and prepared whatever the purpose or the event, whether it is a sports competition, a large scale gathering, or a concert. The facility has approximately 6,500 seats, with a total capacity of 20,000 people including temporary seating and standing space.
The arena floor area on the 1st floor is 13,700㎡, making it one of the biggest arenas in Nagano Prefecture. This arena is available for a wide range of events, and offers the most comfortable and exciting of spaces.
Used as an ice skating rink from October to March, it has an indoor 400m double track, the first in Japan, and an equipped and installed ice hockey rink (30m x 60m) in the center.
In the basement, there are underground parking spaces for approximately 500 cars, ice-making machines, and the air-conditioning-system control room; the whole building is controlled from this floor.
In addition, a special training room exclusively for speed skating athletes equipped with the latest training machines can be found here.
Access
Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena
195 Oaza-Kita-Nagaike, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, 381-0025 Japan
Tel: 026-222-3300 Fax.026-222-3222
Take a local bus, Nagano Dentetsu, bound for Suzaka & Yashima, from the No.21 bus stop at the East Exit of the JR Nagano station, get off at the M-WAVE-mae bus stop; it takes approximately 15 minutes.
Get off at the Suzaka/Nagano Higashi IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, and drive approximately 5 minutes towards Nagano city center.
