TOPGUN, International Pacific University (環太平洋大学)
Okayama (Higashi-ku), Okayama Prefecture
Sources checked October 2026
- Year
- 2009
- Architect
- Tadao Ando
- Type
- University athletics and martial arts hall
- Access
- University building; exterior only (tourist office, October 2026)
TOPGUN is the athletes' building of International Pacific University (IPU) in Okayama, and the first building Tadao Ando designed there. Completed in 2009, it spans the walk leading to the clock-tower building like a gate to the campus, and houses judo and kendo dojos, training rooms and an open-air training terrace.
History
IPU opened in 2007 on the principle of uniting education and sport; its president first met Tadao Ando that year. He told him he wanted to create a university like no other in the world. Ando recalls thinking long and hard about what building could symbolise such a university, where young people learn by springing towards their dreams and goals: TOPGUN came out of that. Completed in 2009, it is the first of his buildings on the campus; PHILOSOPHIA, HARMONY, INSPIRE and DISCOVERY followed.
Architecture
The name means "top-class person, chosen person". The building forms a monumental gate over the walk rising to the clock-tower building, and serves as the face of the first campus. Judo has three areas covering 300 tatami mats of Olympic standard; the kendo dojo, lit by daylight, has a floor of a wood regarded as top grade, with a measured springiness. Ando named an open-air stepped space the "sky dojo", where athletes can train outdoors.
Use today
TOPGUN hosts physical-education classes and student training: a weight-training centre on two levels, a cardio room, a performance hall with mirrors, dojos.
Visiting
Only the exterior can be visited.
34.73° N, 134.01° E
