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Waseda University Okuma Auditorium
早稲田大学 大隈記念講堂
A facility used for the university's official events and events hosted by university departments. Outside organizations may use it with permission only when the use is non-profit, of high academic value, open to Waseda students or the general public, and beneficial to the university without interfering with operations: (1) officially recognized student groups, (2) academic societies and associations whose president, chair or the like is a full-time Waseda faculty or staff member, and (3) other organizations approved by the university (inquire in advance). Commercial events such as performances and events that charge admission are declined. The facility is not available in February, March, early to mid April and August because of graduation ceremonies, entrance ceremonies, entrance examinations, maintenance inspections and the like (April 1, 2026 version).
- Max capacity
- 1,121 people (Okuma Auditorium Main Auditorium (1F-3F), Theater)
- Largest room
- —
- Address
- Tokyo 169-0071 1-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku
- Nearest stations
- Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line): 5 min walk / Waseda Station (Tokyo Sakura Tram, Toden Arakawa Line): 5 min walk / Nishi-Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line): 17 min walk
- Opening hours
- 9:00-21:00 (including setup and cleanup time. Use outside these hours is by prior consultation; student groups cannot use it outside these hours)
- Official website
- waseda.jp Guide for organizers
Rooms and capacity
| Room | Theater |
|---|---|
| Okuma Auditorium Main Auditorium (1F-3F)Fixed seating. 637 seats on the 1st floor (including 2 wheelchair seats) and 484 seats on the 2nd floor. Standing is prohibited. Sound equipment: 10 wired microphones, 6 wireless handheld microphones, 6 wireless pin microphones, 1 piano (YAMAHA CF), simultaneous interpretation equipment available (equipment overview as of June 2017) | 1,121 |
| Okuma Auditorium Small Auditorium (B1F)Fixed seating. 1 piano (KAWAI RX-3). Events with sound require booking both the Main Auditorium and the Small Auditorium (equipment overview as of June 2017) | 300 |
Source: waseda.jp (Capacities are the maximums the venue states; they change with layout and equipment.)
Official documents (floor plans, price lists, terms)
- Okuma Auditorium Usage Guide (April 1, 2026 version)
- Okuma Auditorium Application Form [for on-campus and off-campus hosted events] (revised July 1, 2020)
- Auditorium Use Pledge (student groups and student use hosted by university departments, revised July 19, 2018)
- Sound & Video Equipment Use Application (May 17, 2021 version)
- Equipment Overview (sound and video) (as of June 1, 2017)
- Waiting Rooms (as of April 1, 2010)
- Rental Equipment List (November 21, 2025)
Operating rules (from the official website and documents)
Day-before setup
The application form has separate date and time fields for setup, the event and cleanup, and the usage time includes setup and cleanup work. Available hours are 9:00-21:00. Venue setup, AV equipment operation and lighting operation in the wings, and cleanup are done by the user. (Source: https://www.waseda.jp/culture/assets/uploads/2020/07/1okuma-shiyou1_200701.xls)
Source: waseda.jpLoad-in and load-out
Large equipment is loaded in and out through the loading entrance at the back of the auditorium. By 10 days before the usage date, notify Waseda University Property Management Co., Ltd. of the reason for entering the campus and the load-in and load-out dates and times. Loading from the plaza in front of the auditorium is by consultation. The auditorium management office does not hold luggage or receive courier deliveries (April 1, 2026 version). (Source: https://waseda.box.com/v/okumakodo-guide)
Source: waseda.box.comDelivery vehicle rules
Parking at the loading entrance is limited to 1 hour and requires an advance application. There is no vehicle parking space on the university campus; if a vehicle must enter for equipment load-in or for a speaker, consult Property Management in advance (April 1, 2026 version). (Source: https://waseda.box.com/v/okumakodo-guide)
Source: waseda.box.comWaiting rooms and dressing rooms
The Large Waiting Room (B1F) is a dressing-room type with makeup stations for 6 people, 15 long benches, 15 stools, 3 tables, 4 partitions, a sink, a wash basin, a refrigerator and a tea set, and Main Auditorium users have priority. The VIP Room (1F) can be used only by speakers (invited guests). The 1F waiting room has priority use by Main Auditorium users and the basement waiting room by Small Auditorium users (food and drink allowed). The management office is beside the elevator at the right end of the 1F lobby (waiting room equipment as of April 1, 2010; usage guide April 1, 2026 version). (Source: https://www.waseda.jp/culture/assets/uploads/2015/06/OkumaAuditoriumMainHallChambers.docx)
Source: waseda.jpCatering and outside food/drink
Eating and drinking are prohibited inside the auditorium (including the lobby). Water pitchers (mineral water) for speakers on stage, and eating and drinking in the waiting rooms and the Large Waiting Room, are allowed. In the lobby only, drinks with a tightly closing lid are allowed (April 1, 2026 version). (Source: https://waseda.box.com/v/okumakodo-guide)
Source: waseda.box.comOperating rules are limited to what each venue’s official website and official PDFs state. Items that are not listed are ones we could not find on the official website. Always confirm with the venue before you book. (Checked: Nov 7, 2026)
Nearby shops for when something goes wrong on the day
Print shops (large volume, large format)
For posters, panels and large print runs.
- 11 min walk Accea Waseda Weekdays 9:00-20:00, Sat, Sun & holidays 10:00-19:00
- 17 min walk Accea Takadanobaba Open 24 hours on weekdays (non-stop from Monday 8:00 to Saturday 19:00) / Sat until 19:00, Sun & holidays 10:00-19:00
Convenience stores (multi-copy machines)
Small print runs, drinks, tape, batteries and similar.
- 3 min walk 7-Eleven Bunkyo Sekiguchi 1-chome Open 24 hours
- 3 min walk 7-Eleven Nishi-Waseda 1-chome Open 24 hours
- 4 min walk FamilyMart Waseda Tsurumakicho Open 24 hours
100-yen shops
Masking tape, scissors, badge holders, extension cords, plastic bags and similar.
- 6 min walk DAISO York Foods Waseda 10:00-22:00
- 16 min walk DAISO Kusuri no Fukutaro Ichigaya Yanagicho 10:00-22:00
Don Quijote
For late-night or day-of-event shopping.
- 17 min walk Don Quijote Shinjuku Meiji-dori Open 24 hours
- 20 min walk Don Quijote Takadanobaba Ekimae Open 24 hours
If you run out of drinks (same-day delivery)
This venue is in Kakuyasu's same-day delivery area. Kakuyasu (Nandemo Sake-ya Kakuyasu) “delivery from store” covers all 23 wards of Tokyo and all of Nishi Ward in Yokohama for same-day delivery (free shipping). Delivery slots are hourly from 10:00 to 22:00 (order cutoff 30 minutes before; some stores also offer the 9:00 slot). Besides alcohol, they also carry soft drinks such as tea.
Source: Kakuyasu: store delivery areas (Japanese) / Kakuyasu: delivery dates and times (Japanese)
Walking minutes are the straight-line distance to the venue divided by 80 m per minute, as a rough guide (the actual walking route is longer). Shop names and opening hours were checked on each company's official store page (as of Nov 7, 2026).
Nearby hotels
Places to stay for staff who arrive the day before or travel from far away. These are the hotels around Waseda University Okuma Auditorium featured on BizinTokyo, our guide for attendees.
- Vessel Inn Takadanobaba Ekimae A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 1.5km away)
- Sotetsu Grand Fresa Takadanobaba A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 1.5km away)
- APA Hotel Higashi-Shinjuku-Ekimae A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 1.7km away)
- Hotel Livemax Takadanobaba-Ekimae A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 1.9km away)
- Via Inn Iidabashi Korakuen A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 2.0km away)
- Toyoko Inn Tokyo Shinjuku Kabukicho A few train stops from Waseda University Okuma Memorial Auditorium (about 2.0km away)
* Hotel links are Expedia affiliate links. Conectando earns a referral fee when a booking is made.
More hotels near Waseda University Okuma Auditorium (BizinTokyo)