Tokyo has been holding some “1 Year to Go!” events. If you visit Tokyo this summer 2019, here are some neat events/things you can see for a limited time.
Olympic Rings at Nihonbashi Bridge
Olympics rings were installed on Nihonbashi Bridge this Aug. Instant hit among passersby taking selfies in front of it. The on-site staff couldn’t tell me how long these rings will be here. They are also lit up in the evening.
Nihombashi City Dressing for TOKYO 2020
To mark “1 Year to Go!”, the Nihonbashi business district has a few major buildings adorned with Olympics/Paralympics decorations called “Nihombashi City Dressing for TOKYO 2020” from July 23 to Aug. 25, 2019. 日本橋シティドレッシング for TOKYO 2020
Nihonbashi is near Mitsukoshi-mae Station, Nihonbashi Station, and also walkable from Tokyo Station and Kanda Station.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zd2w1A7vhgFKFSbj6
Official site in Japanese: https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/bethechange/city_dressing/feel2020/
Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Torches
Tokyo 2020 Olympic/Paralympic torches now on display at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 on the 2nd floor until Aug. 25, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can hold it and take photos with it. Made of aluminum and very lightweight. The Olympic torch is gold, and the Paralympic torch is pinkish. The building is a short walk from Shinjuku Station’s West Exit (Nishi-guchi). 東京2020聖火リレートーチの展示
Super Unusual 2020 Exhibition
Also in Nihonbashi was this special interactive exhibition called “Super Unusual 2020 Exhibition” (Futsujanai 2020 Exhibition). It had Olympic sports-related interactive activities that anyone could try for fun. This exhibition in Nihonbashi ended on Aug. 4, 2019, but it is being held at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya during Aug. 8 to 25, 2019. Near Ginza and Hibiya Stations (subway) and the Imperial Palace. On weekends, maybe you can see official mascots Miraitowa and Someity. 超ふつうじゃない2020展
Official site: https://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/bethechange/other_changes/cho_futsujanai2020/
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/jRWKYgCi1wSnUYzh7
Tokyo 2020 Official Countdown Clock at Tokyo Station
At Tokyo Station, a large Tokyo 2020 Olympics/Paralympics countdown clock was unveiled by the Tokyo Governor and other officials on July 24, 2019 as a “1 Year to Go!” event. It’s a two-sided clock. Omega is the official Olympics timekeeper (since 1932!). (I feel sorry for Seiko.) It’s right outside the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station (in front of the red brick station building).
https://www.olympic.org/news/official-olympic-timekeeper-omega-and-tokyo-2020-mark-one-year-countdown
Olympic venues under construction
You can see a few Olympic venues still under construction. From the Yurikamome Line you can see the Ariake Arena and the Ariake Gymnastics Centre under construction. These two venues might require a 15-min. or longer walk from the arrival train station. The so-called “Last Mile” (including the security check) might be a major problem in the summer heat for some venues. The organizer is thinking about how to make it cooler/easier for spectators.
The new Olympic Stadium (New National Stadium) is also clearly visible from the surrounding roads and the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines. The closest stations are Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station (Oedo Line) and JR Sendagaya Station.
Official Tokyo 2020 Olympics Stores
Official Tokyo 2020 Olympics merchandise is available in official stores in Tokyo and major cities like Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Naha. Many of the official shops are inside a BIC Camera store.
There’s also an online shop, but it doesn’t ship outside Japan: https://tokyo2020shop.jp/
List of official shops: https://tokyo2020shop.jp/contents/official_shop
Tokyo city buses with Olympic mascot livery
Some Tokyo city buses (Toei) have the Olympic mascot livery. They run in central Tokyo such in Nihonbashi, Shinjuku, Kiba, and Koto-ku. Currently, there are 18 Toei city buses in this livery with more to come. A few Odakyu, Keio, and Seibu buses will also sport this design.
Google Map of Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues and shops
I made this Google Map of all Tokyo 2020 Olympic venues and most of the official shops (also embedded below): https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1HONOE9ks1Gedrn8hWeN6cvxAWwpD9SJd&usp=sharing