The new arena "Nikkan Arena Tochigi" was completed in the Tochigi Prefectural Sports Park. The opening event of the new arena was a game of the B League's Utsunomiya Brex.
While the Brex Arena, the home of the Utsunomiya Brex, is within walking distance from JR Utsunomiya Station, the Nikkan Arena Tochigi is accessible by car or local bus from JR Utsunomiya Station or JR Suzumenomiya Station.
JR Suzumenomiya Station is one stop away from JR Utsunomiya Station. Both the JR Utsunomiya Line and the JR Shonan Line stop at Suzumenomiya Station, making it very convenient.
For this Brex game, free shuttle buses between JR Suzumenomiya Station and the arena were running every 20 to 30 minutes from 12:10 p.m. to the start of the game at 3 p.m. After the game, there were shuttle buses running from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The doors opened two hours prior to tip-off for fan club members and one and a half hours prior for general fans.
One disadvantage of multipurpose arenas in Japan is that they lack the heat and intensity of a professional game due to the layout of the seating. Especially in this game, the space around the court was kind of empty, lacking in intensity and oneness between players and fans compared to the Brex Arena, the home of the Brex. If the arena hopes to hold more B-League games at this Nikkan Arena Tochigi in the future, they may need to rethink the seating layout that allows fans to get closer to the game.
Nikkan Arena Tochigi
Brex Arena
