Nipro Hachiko Dome

The Nipro Hachiko Dome is a large wooden stadium located in Ōdate, Akita, in northern Japan. It covers an area of 12,915 square meters and was completed in June 1997. The stadium roof is made from 25,000 Akita cypress trees, which are covered with a special double Teflon-coated membrane that allows enough sunlight in to eliminate the need for artificial lighting. The stadium is primarily used for baseball games, but thanks to its removable grandstands, it can also be used for other sports and events. It is designed to withstand heavy snowfall and strong winds, and the roof is designed to prevent snow buildup by circulating warm air between the two Teflon-coated membranes. In 2017, Nipro, a Japanese medical equipment manufacturing company, purchased the naming rights to the dome.