The Olympic Games and Visiting Japan
The 2020 Summer Olympic games have now been moved to 2021, due to the world-wide coronavirus pandemic. This huge event is now scheduled to open on Friday 23rd July, running for 17 days before finishing on Sunday 8th August. Anticipation is building, so here we cover some basic guidance and information for those travelling to Japan and this great event.
The 2020 Olympic Games have been rescheduled to the summer of 2021.
Airport Access
There are many different airports across Japan, with two major ones located in Tokyo. These are Haneda Airport, located close to the city, and Narita Airport, which is actually in the neighboring Chiba prefecture. They are set to be the pair of hubs that will be used for the event by athletes and supporters travelling from overseas.
Visas
When entering and staying in Japan, you need to ensure you have checked visa information for foreign nationals. This can cover application procedures, which will change and depend on nationality, period of stay and regions. Visas are often not required for those staying less than 90 days, so this will most likely not affect most travelling for the Olympic games, but please check prior to your travels.
Accommodation
Accommodation is also a key factor for travellers and with a large number expected to head over to Japan, many popular choices are likely to sell out fast. This may mean that people need to widen their search on a range of the different accommodation options, from modern Western-style hotels to a more traditional approach like ryokan. The best choice will depend on the needs and the budget of the traveller, but both types have their unique advantages.
During any summer period, you really need to try to book early when it comes to accommodation, so doing early research is only going to help you ahead of entering Japan. This is obviously even more true during the period of the Olympic Games. Rooms are going to sell fast, so it is best to be first in line, in order to get your preferred options.
Look Beyond Tokyo
With the games taking place in Tokyo, it is likely that many will just be looking within the city. However, there are endless hidden treasures surrounding Tokyo, and this is part of why Japan has fast become one of the leading countries for tourists world-wide. There are over 35 million people living in the region in and around Tokyo, which is also very well connected by transport infrastructure. With this being the case, it is worth looking at where the different events you have tickets for are taking place. From there, you may be able to travel to neighbouring cities and areas, which may have more available due to the competitive nature of the event.
For travelling further afield, the impressive shinkansen network of high-speed trains makes for comfortable long-distance travel. This can be made more affordable for international travellers by buying a Japan Rail Pass.
Olympic Events
There is no doubt that the most popular event at the games will again be on the athletics track - the 100-metre sprint. Asiabet.org is already offering a number of expert guides and reviews on many of the leading platforms that are set to offer odds on the event. USA's Christian Coleman will be going into the Men's event as the favourite. Many other events will also be available closer to the time and these markets are set to prove popular amongst fans, moving into the games.
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