After 56 years since organizing the Olympic Games, this year’s Olympics will return to Japan for the fourth time for a summer edition. The 1964 Tokyo Games were the first to be held in Asia, followed by the 1972 Sapporo Games and 1988 Nagano Games. Existing competition venues built specially for the Games in 1964 will be used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Look out for these reputable venues and their respective games: Nippon Budokkan for judo, the Baji Koen Park for equestrian events, and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for handball. In fact, the Tokyo National Stadium, which will grace the opening, closing ceremonies and several athletics competitions, will undergo a revamp and be replaced by a new arena.
The Olympics is considered the world’s most prominent sports competition with a vast number of nations participating. This year’s torchbearers for the Olympic torch relay will comprise members of the Japan women’s national football team who won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. They are also silver medalists at the 2012 London Olympic Games and finalists of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015. Keen to know more? This guide will consist of the essential information for anyone who is intending to attend. We will let you in on the dates, ticketing and merchandising details, new sports to expect, where to stay and more!
When and where are the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held?
The opening ceremony will be on Friday, 24 July while the closing ceremony will be on Sunday, 9 August at 8pm. Both procedures will be held at the Tokyo National Stadium (Olympic Stadium). But even before the opening ceremony, the games will kick-start on Wednesday, 22 July with the women’s softball opening round (3 matches) at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium and women’s football first round (2 matches) at Sapporo Dome, Miyagi Stadium and Tokyo Stadium.
For the full schedule, you may refer their official website. The Olympic venues are mainly held in the Heritage Zone and Tokyo Bay Zone while there are a couple of sports taking place outside of Tokyo. To view the full locations at a glance, you may head here.
Where can I buy tickets?
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
As reported by Cnet, the Tokyo Olympics tickets are sold out as of 31 July 2019. However, don’t be dismayed as a new wave of tickets will be launched at the start of spring. For peeps living in Japan, start by heading to the official ticketing website here.
After pre-registration with a login account, you will gain access to newsletters on the latest information on the event line-up, information on different categories of tickets, prices, respective seat maps as well as ticket sales guidelines. Those who live outside Japan can find authorized re-sellers from a NOC-approved official ticket dealer (ATR) or sub-distributor.
Ticket sales may vary from country to country so check back from time to time to find the new updates. Alternatively, follow them on their official social media channels to get instant news: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LINE.
I don’t have a ticket, where else can I watch the Olympics?
Those who can’t grab hold of tickets to the Olympics should not be disappointed because there are 30 “live site” venues in nine prefectures across Japan. You can expect to view live broadcasts of Olympic and Paralympic competition on huge screens so arrive early to make sure you have the best seats. These “live sites” will also allow visitors to personally try out some Olympic and Paralympic sports themselves.
Apart from the hands-on experience, you will also be able to immerse in cultural events and other fun-packed programmes. To view the full list of “live site” venues, please refer to the website.
Local citizens can also look forward to community live sites hosted by the regional municipalities. Alternatively, one can always watch on TV, via 24/7 streams, paid channels and free-to-air coverage across the world. For accurate information that’s relevant to your current location, do a quick internet search to check for the official legal methods to watch.
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What’s the theme for this year’s Olympics?
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This year’s emblems embody the message of “unity in diversity” which in turn conveys the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ desire to promote diversity as a way of living. Made up of checkered patterns in indigo blue and formally known as “ichimatsu moyo” in the Edo period (1603-1867), the symbols carry the refined elegance and sophistication that represents Japan.
The two emblems which are made up of the same number of shapes consist of three varieties of rectangular shapes. This reflects the different countries, cultures and ways of thinking. Variation can set people apart but it can also bring the world together, thus making it a lively and energetic place to live in. Coupled with mutual respect and support, there will be “unity in diversity”.
The Olympics is a good reminder that regardless of ability or disability, we are united in our humanity. People around the world gathered together as one to share the love and excitement for sports is a true display of oneness! Let’s also not forget to give credit to the designer of these emblems, Asao Tokolo. To find out more, fans may watch this video about the Tokyo 2020 emblem concept and configuration design.
Alongside the meaningful theme for this year’s Olympics would be Miraitowa and Someity, the official mascots for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. These two anime-styled characters are friends and are an expression of the Japanese culture and the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
If you haven’t noticed, Miraitowa has an indigo ichimatsu pattern similar to the Tokyo 2020 emblems as introduced earlier. While its face patterns draw us back to the helmets worn by ancient samurai, its name is a combination of the Japanese words for “future” and “eternity” thus explaining its unique ability of teleportation.
Someity is the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mascot and sometimes portrayed in a wheelchair. Its name is a fusion of the popular cherry blossom tree named “Someiyoshino” and the English phrase “so mighty”. Coupled with the character’s array of superpowers, it showcases the Paralympic athletes who have overcome obstacles and redefined the impossible.
Tokyo Tour Guide
Ayano
Hello! I am Ayano, a local host in Tokyo. I have been living in Tokyo for over 10 years, so I know a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes, and tourist spots! Leave your Tokyo sightseeing to me. I have traveled to various countries and had unforgettable experiences. Being passionate about traveling, I really want to take you to the captivating places in Tokyo. As photography is my hobby, I will capture beautiful photos that will become lasting memories. Join my tour and let's explore Tokyo together!
Tours by Ayano
Is there anything new for this year’s Olympics?
There will be four new and two returning Olympic sports - karate, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, baseball and softball.
Karate - What better way to make its debut other than in Japan! Karate is the martial art that originated in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Dynasty. There will be two disciplines for both men and women - kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). In kata, the athletes will be judged based on strength, speed, rhythm, balance and power against their virtual opponent. While in kumite, participants of the same weight class will be matched and compete for three minutes. Both disciplines use a point system to decide a winner.
Skateboarding - Competitive skateboarding will consist of two events for the Olympics - park and street. For the park event, skateboarders are judged on difficulty and originality as they execute tricks using the inclines within a bowl-shaped course. As for the street course, it is an attempt to replicate street skating where stairs, ramps and rails are used to perform a variety to tricks.
Sport Climbing - Spectators can look forward to three types of climbs - speed, lead and bouldering climbing. Speed climbing will involve a race between two athletes up a wall. Lead climbing works in the same way but only with a time limit of six minutes. A participant who climbs the highest and fastest wins. Bouldering differs because there will be no safety ropes and athletes will have to make their way up a wall with tiny holds and overhangs within four minutes.
Surfing - Women and men shortboard competitors will compete at Shidashita Beach on Japan’s Pacific coast. Athletes will be assessed based on how skillful they are in their maneuvering of waves. Two surfers with the highest scores will move on to the next round.
Where can I buy official merchandise for this year’s Olympics?
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The best place to buy authentic merchandise would be from the official online shop. One can shop via the categories provided, which include fashion apparels & accessories, cheering items, homeware, stationery & books, sports apparels & goods, pins, toys and even commemorative products. Superfans can even purchase medallions and engrave their names at the black with a special engraving machine.
However, do take note that the online store only ships goods within Japan and cash-on-delivery is not available. It will take approximately three to six working days from the date of purchase. For more information on the shipping fee and delivery time, please refer to the website.
I’m in Tokyo for this year’s Olympics. Where should I stay?
Those who’ve booked their tickets to Japan during the Olympics period, congratulations! Now that you’ve got your flight out, it’s time to settle the accommodation. Hotels might get sold out really soon due to popular demand so book in advance to avoid disappointment. To ease you in your search, we’ve put together a list of the best hotels you can stay.
Travellers on a budget, we’ve got you covered with some pod and capsule hotels conveniently located in and near Tokyo Station. Apart from hotels or hostels, we think vacation rentals make a great alternative for a comfy stay too. Check out our recommendation of HomeAway vacation rentals in Tokyo.
What should I know about getting around Tokyo during the Olympics?
To avoid possible delays to your travels, we recommend using the train network as the best way to navigate Tokyo during this busy period. Grab the 1 to 3-day Tokyo Subway Pass from Klook to have unlimited access to 13 different routes with over 250 metro stops covering most of the city.
You can claim your pass at any of these pick-up points: Narita, Haneda airports, Harajuku, Osaka or Nagoya. To activate the card, insert it into the ticket machine before entering and don’t forget to collect it back after passing through the gateway. For more relevant information and to place a purchase, head to the website.
In Tokyo, what should I do during the downtime?
Travel! Be an explorer during the downtime. If you’re too busy to do your research, read our article on the 30 best places to visit in Tokyo. Museums, shrines & temples, national gardens & palaces, iconic towers, buildings and more, you’re sure to have more than enough to see.
For the foodies, we’ve put together a scroll of 30 best street food you must try when in Japan. As the saying goes, “A hungry man is an angry man”, we’re confident that there will be no angry persons while in Tokyo if you give jaga bata (grilled buttery baked potato), senbei (rice cracker) and mikan ame (candied mandarin) a try.
Lastly, for friends who prefer tripping with a companion, how about having a local alongside to show you the know-how and inside-outs of Japan? You may book a local guide from 2 to 6 hours here and fully customize your walking tour. Remember to put on comfortable shoes and make the best out of your time in Japan!
Fun facts about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Expect robots to welcome guests at Tokyo airport.
The first modern Olympic Games started with 9 sports, but now, there will be 33 held in Tokyo 2020.
There will be 15 new events in enhancement to the existing sports, including mixed-gender competitions.
Talk about recycling in this era: 5.000 medals will be made out of recycled old cell phones!
The Athlete’s village will be built at the intersection formed between the two intersecting circles of the Heritage zone and Tokyo Bay area, signifying unity.
Looking forward to an exciting occasion in Tokyo
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
With this one-stop guide we’ve put together for you, we hope everyone’s psyched about the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics. If the day approaches and you’re still unable to get your hands on the new wave of tickets launching in the start of spring, aim far because we’ve got the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics coming right up.
In fact, Beijing 2022 Olympics has begun their global recruitment for 27,000 volunteers for the Olympic Winter Games and 12,000 volunteers for the Paralympic Winter Games. Applications are open till 30 June 2021 and you may refer to the official page for more information here. Good luck!
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