Parallax

Belle Salle Takadanobaba Poker Guide 2026: JOPT Grand Final

Derick Elomina
Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Belle Salle Takadanobaba is the undisputed “Vatican of Japanese Poker,” serving as the massive high-production arena for the country’s most significant Mind Sports festivals. As Shinjuku’s largest event hall, boasting 2,400m² of pillar-free space and 6-meter ceilings, it provides the cavernous, “Main Event” atmosphere required for the Japan Open Poker Tour (JOPT) . In 2026, it remains the primary battleground where thousands of players converge to compete for elite international sponsorships, making it the highest-volume tournament site in the Japanese archipelago.


Why Belle Salle Takadanobaba?

  • The Arena of the JOPT Grand Final: The venue is the permanent home of the JOPT 2026 Grand Final (April 24 – May 6). This 13-day flagship series is the largest in Japan, featuring massive player fields that only a hall of this scale can accommodate.
  • Casino-Grade Infrastructure: During major festivals, the hall transforms into a full-scale professional card room with over 80 tables, RFID feature table stages, and a dedicated broadcasting suite for live-streamed final tables.
  • Unrivaled Location: Situated in Shinjuku City, it is just a 4-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, and Tozai Line), making it the most accessible elite venue for Tokyo’s millions of residents.
  • A Hub for Global Exposure: As the primary site for the JOPT “Tokyo” series, it serves as the gateway for Japanese talent to win “Sponsorship Packages” to major global events like the WSOP , APT , and Triton Series .
🏛️
MEGA ARENA
2,400m² Capacity
🏆
GRAND FINAL
April 24 – May 6
🛡️
STATUS
Japan’s Poker Capital

The Belle Salle Takadanobaba Tournament Experience

Participating in a festival at Belle Salle Takadanobaba is an immersion into the peak of Japanese poker culture. Unlike the boutique “amusement bars” of Ginza or Shibuya, this is a dedicated tournament arena where the focus is purely on high-stakes Mind Sports. The 2026 schedule includes three major Tokyo stops (January, July, and October) alongside the prestigious Grand Final in the spring. During these windows, the venue operates as a centralized hub for all variants, from traditional No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha to specialized Mixed Games and High Roller events.

The venue is designed for high-capacity logistics; the expansive foyer area handles registration for thousands of entrants, while the B1 floor offers a seamless flow between the tournament area and player lounges. For the 2026 season, the JOPT has introduced even deeper structures and “Platinum” sponsorships for its Main Events, ensuring that the winners at Takadanobaba are among the best-equipped Japanese ambassadors for the international stage.


2026 Major Event Schedule

  • 2026 Tokyo #01: Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026
  • 2026 Grand Final: April 24 – May 6, 2026
  • 2026 Tokyo #02: July 16 – July 20, 2026
  • 2026 Tokyo #03: October 8 – October 12, 2026

Venue Logistics

📍 Location: 169-0072 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Okubo, 3 Chome-8-2, Belle Salle Takadanobaba. (4-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station).

🏨 Accommodations: Nearby options include Hotel Sunroute Takadanobaba and various business hotels in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, which are only one stop away on the Yamanote Line.

📝 Entry & Requirements: Hours vary by event (typically 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM). Original Photo ID is mandatory for registration and sponsorship verification.

💠 JOPT Takadanobaba Official Updates

Check the official JOPT website or follow @JapanOpenPoker on X for real-time tournament clocks and Day 1 satellite results.

Festivals at Belle Salle Takadanobaba

Belle Salle Takadanobaba related news

Jun Obara Wins Inaugural Colossus by Mission RunGood During 2025 JOPT Grand Final
Known under his moniker “misawa”, Jun Obara sealed the victory worth ~ USD 26,053 at the Colossus by Mission RunGood at 2025 JOPT Grand Final in Tokyo, Japan.
05/04/2025
Japan Open Poker Tour Enters Partnership with RunGood Poker Series
Japan Open Poker Tour and RunGood Poker Series have teamed up for the first international ring event set to take place from April 25 to May 5, 2025 in Tokyo.
02/28/2025
Frequentlyaskedquestions