In 2020, Tokyo will host one of the biggest sporting events in the world – the 2020 Summer Olympics. To prepare for it, the city has done many renovations of old buildings and construction of new stadiums and improvements on the public transportation system to make getting around easier and more convenient for visitors coming from different parts of the world.
Are you thinking of going to Japan for the Olympics? How do you get from your hotel to a game venue? How accessible are the tourist sites and attractions from your hotel or the stadiums? What can you do to make your trip fun and hassle-free?
Where will the games be held?
For the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Japan has prepared 43 venues in and around Tokyo and other major areas of the country that will host different sports games and competitions.
The Olympic Stadium, which is a multi-purpose stadium still currently under construction in Kasumigaoka in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, and track and field events.
If you are a basketball fan and want to watch your favorite NBA and world-class hoop stars play for their respective countries, the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, which is about a 40-minute train ride from central Tokyo, is where you should be.
For football aficionados, multiple game venues will host the matches: Sapporo Dome, Miyagi Stadium, Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, Saitama Stadium, International Stadium Yokohama, and Tokyo Stadium.
Other notable game venues are:
- Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium – baseball, softball
- Yokohama Baseball Stadium – baseball, softball
- Ariake Arena – volleyball
- Oi Hockey Stadium – hockey
- Ariake Tennis Park – tennis
- Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium – table tennis
- Yoyogi National Stadium – handball
- Nippon Budokan – judo, karate
- Kokugikan Arena – boxing
- Tokyo Stadium – rugby, modern pentathlon
- Odaiba Marine Park – aquatics, triathlon
You can click here to see the complete list of Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics venues.
Where can you get tickets?
The official website of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics opened the lottery application period for tickets on May 9, 2019 to May 28, 2019, and released the lottery results on June 20, 2019.
Because this period has passed, you can wait for the first-come-first-served ticket sale period, which will happen sometime in the autumn of 2019, and the last-minute ticket sale period, which will be in the spring of 2020.
You have to know though that you are ineligible to send your application for tickets through the official website of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics if you are not a Japanese resident. What you can do is contact an Authorized Ticket Reseller in your home country and acquire your tickets through them. Click here to learn more about the process.
When it comes to costs, ticket prices start from 12,000 yen (for adults) or 2,020 yen (for children, senior students, and people with disabilities). For the opening and closing ceremonies, playoff matches, and other special events, ticket prices go as high as 300,000 yen.
How do you use Japanese public transportation system?
Japan’s public transportation network is highly regarded around the world. Its extensive system of Shinkansen or Japanese bullet trains, rapid and express trains, local and commuter trains, metro and subways, buses, and others should make your travels comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free.
If you plan to travel to multiple cities during your stay, you may want to look into getting a Japan Rail Pass to save some money. The cost of an ordinary nationwide 7-day Japan Rail Pass, for instance, is equivalent to the total cost of a roundtrip between Tokyo and Osaka and a day trip to Himeji. You can find out more about the Japan Rail Pass by clicking here.
For travel within Tokyo, you should get yourself an IC card — whether a Pasmo or a Suica. Having one will save you a lot of time, as you will only need to tap it on a card reader every time you enter and exit the turnstiles at train stations. Check out the official websites of Pasmo, Suica, the, and the Tokyo Metro to read more about how IC cards work and other important information on the Tokyo public transportation network. You can purchase a Suica card online and have it delivered to you in advance by clicking here.
What should you pack?
The summer season in Japan, particularly in the city of Tokyo, is very hot and humid, and the day-to-day temperatures range from low 30s to high 30s. Therefore, you have to pack the following things for your comfort:
- Clothes that are made of light, thin, and breathable materials
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Hat
- Folding fan
- Face towel
When you go sightseeing, you should not forget to bring a bottle of water to rehydrate yourself and an extra shirt, especially if you sweat so much. You should also wear shoes that offer great support and comfort, as you will be walking a lot.
How can you get internet access?
Having 24/7 internet access on your trip to Japan gives you so much convenience and flexibility. With it, you can use a variety of apps for directions and navigation, translation, communication with family and friends back home, video and music streaming, and other services.
There are different options when it comes to getting internet access in Japan. You can:
- Place an order for a Japan SIM card online and have it shipped to your home before your trip
- Buy a Japan SIM online and collect it at the airport when you arrive
You can choose any of these options when you purchase a SIM card through this link on our website.
What are the best mobile apps to download for your Japan trip?
To enjoy your Japan trip, the following Japan travel mobile apps are highly recommended:
- Google Maps – for directions
- Hyperdia – for Shinkansen and train routes and timetables
- Google Translate – for translation of Japanese texts