Fairmont Hotel and Budokan, Tokyo, c. 1970.

Fairmont Hotel and Budokan, Tokyo, c. 1970. The Fairmont was built on the grounds of the former feudal Mitsui estate in anticipation of 1964 Olympic tourist needs. To the left of the hotel is the Kudanzaka Hospital. Back-caption: “An airview overlooking the National Athletic Hall (Budokan) and the Fairmont Hotel by the Imperial Palace moat. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom alongside.”

“It is estimated that some 30,000 foreign visitors will come to Japan for the [1964] Olympics, together with another 10,000 athletes, officials and members of the press.

“At the present time, foreign-style hotels in the Tokyo-Yokohama area can only accommodate 8,330 persons. New hotels completed by 1964 are expected to house another 4,200 visitors, and the Japan Housing Corporation is planning to build a huge apartment house with a capacity for 6,600 guests.

“The Japanese Government will shortly establish the Tourist Facilities Corporation which will construct a new hotel to accomodate 5,000 guests, as well as tourist hotels at famous sightseeing resorts outside of Tokyo offering 1,200 rooms.”

– Japan Report, Consulate General of Japan, New York, July 15, 1959