There's less than a year to go before the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics take over Japan in summer 2020 and if you're planning on making your way over to the Asian hotspot for the historic sporting event, now is the time to get prepped and ready to ensure you make the most of your trip.
CHECK OUT: GH'S EXCLUSIVE PRE-OLYMPICS CHERRY BLOSSOM TOUR
The Tokyo Olympics 2020 will begin on 24 July and end on 9 August, before the Paralympics start on 25 August and end on 6 September as the second time that Japan hosts the games.
Most of the fixtures will take place across two thematic and operational zones, creating an ‘infinity’ symbol to represent the endless passion, commitment and inspiration of the world’s elite athletes. The Heritage Zone is home to several iconic venues used for the 1964 Olympics, while the Tokyo Bay Zone symbolises the exciting future of the city.
If you're visiting Japan next summer and want to know where to go and how to make the most of your sporting holiday, our guide tells you everything you need to know about the places to visit during the Games...
Getting around Japan during the Tokyo Olympics
With numerous sites and experiences to entertain you between fixtures, we thought we'd help you choose the best things to experience in Tokyo and around Japan during your trip for the Tokyo Olympics.
As getting around Japan is easy (and fun), you can travel to a whole host of places efficiently via train and the Japan Rail Pass provides you with unlimited travel on all JR trains. This means you have access to the famous Shinkansen bullet trains too!
Go beyond Tokyo during the 2020 Olympics
Japan is one of the best cycling destinations in the world and Shizuoka prefecture will be hosting the majority of the 2020 Olympic Games cycling events - make this your excuse to cycle around the region for spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. You'll find the steep coastal roads of Izu Peninsula or easy riding through green tea plantations, plains, farms and rice fields.
Other cities worth visiting beyond Tokyo include rural Chiba and the Boso Peninsula, which is well-known for its flowers. Nagano is home to Japan’s most popular temples: Zenkoji Temple and Togakushi Shrine. Niigata is another coastal city offering beautiful coastlines, hot springs, skiing in winter and stunning mountain ranges.
Head to West Japan and the Seto Inland Sea
From the 18 to 19 May 2020, the Torch Relay will pass through Hiroshima, starting in the city of Miyoshi. Miyoshi is the hometown to Yoshinori Sakai, who was the final torchbearer at the Tokyo 1964 Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. For going off the beaten path, explore the Iya Valley, located in the Tokoshima prefecture.
It's beautiful and remote, with the valley offering unforgettable views of jagged mountains and dramatic landscapes. Osaka, also known as 'Japan’s Kitchen', and Kyoto, the ‘cultural heart of Japan’ are both also easily accessible from Tokyo along the main JR network.
Visit the coast of the Tohoku Region
The Tohoku Region is heavily involved in the 2020 Olympic Games, with the torch travelling through Iwate prefecture from 17 to 19 June. It was hit by an earthquake in 2011 but is well on the way to recovery. You'll want to check out the Michinoku Coastal Trail, which offers a rocky shoreline, numerous bays, cliffs and coves stretching over 300 kilometres.
Meanwhile, Miyagi prefecture will be holding several men’s football matches during the games including the Men’s Quarterfinal. Baseball and softball have been added as additional events to the games this year with most games taking place in the Fukushima Azuma baseball stadium in the Fukushima prefecture.
Check out the events of Kyushu
Famous for its year-round matsuri events, Kyushu is an island blessed with a sub-tropical climate and home to seaside towns, volcanoes, hot springs and history.
The southern island is made up of nine prefectures and links through to Yamaguchi via JR train routes, making access to the main island of Honshu easy. During your time here, you can explore Kumamoto Castle, originally constructed in 1467 AD and one of Japan’s best castles, or relax in one of the famous Ibusuki heated sand baths.
Take in the scenic beauty of Hokkaido
Northern island Hokkaido is less densely populated than the main island of Honshu and boasts wilder scenery, among the most dramatic you'll see in the country.
The Kitamii Mountains, Lake Akan and the Tokachigawa hot springs are other highlights. And don't forget to visit a sake brewery in Otokoyama, before exploring the cosmopolitan city of Sapporo.
Find out more about visiting Japan during the Tokyo Olympics at japan.travel and check out Good Housekeeping's cherry blossom tour of Japan in spring 2020 before the Games take place or returning after the Olympics for a Japan and South Korea cruise in 2021.
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The best gifts for travellers this Christmas
Give someone the gift of comfort when they travel with this innovative neck pillow, which provides far more support than the average design you can pick-up in a last-minute airport dash.
The unique (and far less bulky) pillow wraps around the neck to offer complete head support, so chances of a proper nap (without the head-bobbing) are vastly improved.
The pillow has received more than 10,000 five-star reviews so far. One user observed: "My neck is pain free and my hair still looks great!" It also packs away far more easily than a traditional neck pillow, making it considerably more convenient to carry.
Of all the getaway essentials, a sturdy suitcase is high on the list, so why not add a little luxury to their travel plans with this Antler design?
Ideal for any adventure, the hardshell expandable style provides plenty of space for a week away, while the wheels are built to move seamlessly in any direction. We love the forest green shade for its premium look and feel, but there are five other shades to consider. It’s available in cabin bag size, too.
In a world where most travellers are found capturing every moment on their smartphone, a journal will help them take in their destination in a different, more mindful way. And, who knows, this could be the gift that inspires their first novel.
This travel journal includes sections to tick off off their wish list destinations, space for packing lists, holiday plans and photos, and it's customisable, so you can add their name to the front cover.
Know someone who always needs a plant-sitter while they're away? This innovative self-watering plant pot will take care of their greenery for up to three weeks with a specially designed wicking cord.
Crafted from recycled waste plastic, sustainable travellers will also love the fact that this gift uses 95% less material than traditional plant pots.
These are one of the best travel gifts you can buy any traveller in your life. In fact, Antler's Chelsea packing cubes are nothing short of genius. We've tried a few packing cubes in our time and these are the ones we keep going back to for their excellent quality, expandability and handy double zips.
They come as a set of four, so you can separate your smalls from your bulkier clothing and the mesh windows are handy for seeing what's inside. The cubes are also perfect for trips where they're short on time as they can simply lift the organisers out of their suitcase and pop them in their hotel wardrobe, without the need to unpack.
Trust us, once they try these brilliant organisers, they'll never go back.
Virgin Atlantic Queen Of The Skies Navy Sweatshirt
What might look like just another graphic jumper to the untrained eye, will in fact make a particularly thoughtful – and much-valued – gift for the travel lover in your life. Not only will it keep them cosy and stylish on their next flight, but it also has a deeper meaning, featuring artwork from Virgin Atlantic's A330 neo aircraft Queen of the Skies as well as the registration G-VEII on the sleeve in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.
It's also unisex, made from organic cotton, comes in a range of sizes, and is designed to have a modern, boxy fit for ultimate comfort. You can also nab it for a discount if it's delivered on-flight. A new flying essential.
Complete your loved one's wet-weather look with these stylish Merry People boots, which have a natural rubber and neoprene lining. Great for rambles on weekend adventures away, they come in a range of sizes and colours to suit whoever you're gifting them to.
For a flavoursome tour of Syria's traditional dishes, treat your favourite foodie to Imad's Syrian Kitchen, a recipe book packed with dishes from Imad Alarnab, a chef from Damascus and refugee. Imad's London restaurant was named the 'Best Breakthrough Restaurant' of 2022 and he has impressed the likes of Nigella Lawson with his "wonderful book" full of "gentle good humour."
The recipes are adapted Syrian dishes that are easy to make at home and include mouthwatering Katif ghanam (lamb shoulder) and kabsa rice with chicken. Imad also shares stories of his home country in the beautiful hardback book that celebrates how food can bring people together.
Even the most seasoned travellers can have trouble predicting which type of plug sockets they'll encounter in their next destination – so help them take the guess work out of it entirely by gifting your frequent-flyer friend this brilliant universal adapter. Admittedly, it's not the most exciting gift, but it's probably the most useful one they'll receive.
Unlike the temperamental worldwide adapters of yore, this brilliant Tessan socket has two overload fuses that make it extra safe. And despite its compact size, it has all bases covered: it can be used in 224 countries, and includes two USB-A and three USB-C ports for charging multiple devices at once.
We love this premium sling bag for keeping valuables close while exploring the world. It's made from eight recycled bottles for something that's kinder to the planet, while offering luxurious, durable fabric that looks good. It's super-functional, with hidden features, too. The discreet side pocket is the perfect size for earbuds and the self-repairing zips ensure opening and closing the compartments is smooth.
A hidden security pocket at the back has an RFID shield so they're protected from digital pickpockets. There's also antibacterial mesh padding to ward against germs. The clever sling back can be worn as a hip pack or crossbody and, as the cherry on top for gifting, there's a leather tag that can be personalised.
Whether they've already got a travel toiletry bag or not, this gorgeous set of mini toiletries from Cotswolds-born brand Bamford is the perfect treat for a mini-break. The set includes travel sizes of Bamford’s products for healthy hair and pampered skin, with the brand’s refreshing scent of geranium, lavender and peppermint.
It comes in a white muslin bag containing the Geranium Shampoo, Geranium Conditioner, Geranium Body Wash and Geranium Body Lotion.
Designed for trail running, these are ideal if your loved one enjoys adventurous weekends away.
The versatile design means they can pack light; they look good, and fit like a glove, so your lucky recipient can wear them on their morning run in a new city, on a leisurely hike (thanks to their rugged grip), or simply going from the airport to their hotel.
Whether on the dance floor, on a packed train, or trying to block out the outside noise while starting their holiday book, your favourite traveller will thank you for this small gift that makes an excellent stocking filler.
The earplugs feature a mechanical dial that allows them to switch between three different modes, depending on their environment. There's Quiet mode for when they want peace and quiet, Experience mode for reducing the volume, perhaps at a concert or in a bar, and Engage mode, which lets them focus on a task but still hear conversations.
A fabulous travel gift for her, Patagonia's R1 Air Zip Neck is the perfect cool-weather companion for active adventures. Perfect for those who like to hike, ski or simply enjoy relaxing walks in the country, the fleece is lightweight enough to pack in a backpack and features a unique zigzag texture that wicks moisture and dries fast.
They'll like the internal pockets to stash their essentials and its eco credentials; the high-quality fleece is made from 100% recycled materials.
Spotted in the hands of Victoria Beckham, YETI's oversized Rambler mug is an excellent companion for adventures. It comes with a straw lid for easy sipping during road trips and the vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. The handle is a simple yet effective feature that makes it easier to hold than standard water bottles.
What's more, it doesn't collect condensation, so hands stay dry and it comes in various colours.
Carl Friedrik City-Hopper Backpack Nubuck Leather Fold Top Backpack
A beautiful travel backpack made from nubuck and featuring a folded top, Carl Friedrik's City-Hopper bag makes a terrific gift for the traveller in your life, whether they often go away for business or frequent holidays.
There's a pocket for their laptop, a zip pocket at the front for small essentials, and a long side zip that lets them fully open the bag for easier packing. One for travellers who love organisation.
For the people in your life who panic at the thought of their devices running out of battery (same), this compact, portable charger is a helpful gift. It has three ports and can charge an iPhone 13 almost five times and a 2021 iPad 1.3 times.
Helpfully, it also features a digital display showing the estimated time left on your charge. Whether they're on the move with their MacBook, AirPods or just their phone (or all three), this power bank's got them covered.
Treat them to a staycation they'll never forget in the glorious Leicestershire countryside as you both soak up the serenity at Ragdale Hall Spa. You'll enjoy treatments, full use of the spa and spend some quality time together. Plus, you get a Clarins gift thrown in too.
Ragdale Hall is home to incredible facilities and treatments and is one of the most luxurious spa destinations in the country. Be sure to use the Rooftop Infinity, Candle and Outdoor Waterfall pools!
Give the gift of a good night's sleep, even in a new bed and time zone with this blissful scented travel candle.
The special blend uses 100 per cent natural fragrances with 19 heavenly essential oils including English lavender, jasmine and sweet basil to help prepare for an excellent night's sleep. There's up to 20 hours of burn time and it weighs just 75g, ideal for popping in their travel beauty bag.
Need a gift for a younger traveller? Amazon's new Fire HD 10 tablet will help keep them entertained in the car and on a flight, with a whole load of apps, games and videos. It comes with a child-proof case, robust parental controls and a year's worth of unlimited entertainment including books and apps, from Disney to Peppa Pig.
With Amazon Kids+ content, children can learn, create and play while they travel. There's a two-year guarantee too, so if it gets broken, just send it back to Amazon and they'll send you back a new one for free.
This beautiful set of accessories from Aspinal of London will add luxury to any trip. Part of the refined Travel Collection, the gorgeous gift includes a suede-lined passport cover, luggage tags and a compact travel wallet that reveals space for tickets, passport and documents, as well as a zipped compartment for currency.
The accessories are made from fine full-grain leather and come in navy leather, with a range of other colours and finishes available. You can also personalise the set to make it a unique travel gift.
If your loved one prefers experiences over material things, they might appreciate an entire year of National Trust Membership. They can visit over 500 places in the UK, enjoy free parking at most National Trust car parks and receive the National Trust Magazine three times a year to inspire them where to go next.
There's also the Handbook, which is packed with information about National Trust places and access to the online Members’ Area for first-look previews and behind-the-scenes features.
The ultimate gift for book lovers, Amazon's newest Kindle allows them to take as many books as they wish to read on their travels – without the weight. This one is the lightest and most compact Kindle made, with a 300 ppi high-resolution display for sharp text and images.
They can read comfortably with a glare-free, paper-like display, and switch to dark mode for effortless reading at night. There's extended battery life, so it lasts up to six weeks – much longer than the average beach break. This Kindle also uses 75 per cent recycled plastics and 90 per cent recycled magnesium for a more sustainable option.
A leather overnight or weekend bag is one of the best travel gifts you can buy and this luxe style for men from Marks & Spencer is the one we've got our eye on right now.
It offers ample space for all his essentials, with a zipped interior pocket to store his valuables inside.
A lovely gift for the travelling couple in your life, Red Letter Days' two-night escape voucher gives them the option to choose from hundreds of spa breaks, country getaways and more around the UK.
They have two years to use the voucher and can choose from a range of stays, from two nights in a castle to a mini-break by the sea.
Coffee addicts who can't be without their morning brew will love this portable espresso maker. It's light, compact and easy to use.
They simply add a Nespresso or similar capsule in the holder, as well as boiling water to the water tank and then pump the coffee out. There's no battery or electric power needed.
This puzzle features 50 beautifully illustrated destinations to feed your wanderlust and inspire your next holiday. From The Great Barrier Reef to Tokyo, Patagonia and Cambodia, via a host of capital cities and famous landmarks, the completed work looks like a bucket list for any keen traveller.
It's all packed up in a tub and printed on FSC paper with vegetable inks, so it's kinder to the planet they'll soon be exploring.
If your intended recipient is on the go all the time, or is someone who insists on unpacking as soon as they enter a hotel room, this hanging washbag is the perfect gift, as they'll be able to access all of their essentials with ease and stow them away neatly, too.
It features two zipped compartments and a removable toiletry bag, with a hook so it can be hung up easily in bathrooms. And it folds into a compact, suitcase-friendly bag.
Forget wondering when the carousel is going to start moving – with this hi-tech gift, travellers will be able to track the exact location of their luggage, thanks to this Bluetooth device's 120-metre finding range.
It will also come in handy for putting people at ease in the unfortunate event of an airline losing their luggage. One traveller says: "When I arrived at my destination, it appeared the airline left my luggage at the airport. Thanks to the tracker I could locate it and then see the progress when the company finally shipped it to me."
Super soft yet durable, this sleeping bag liner will prove invaluable for all manner of adventures, from camping trips to festival fields.
It's crafted from 100% cotton and can be slipped inside a thicker sleeping bag or bedding, or used on its own in warmer climates. Plus, for travellers who are particularly conscious of cleanliness, it can be used within hostel or hotel bedding.
