TOKYO TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

BUYING TICKETS & OLYMPIC PACKAGES

at press time, individual tickets for dressage, eventing and show jumping were sold out, although there is a chance that further individual ticket allocations will become available. check the cosport website (www.

cosport.com) for availability and to sign up for an account and email notifications.

tickets for all four equestrian disciplines were still available at press time as part of package deals: either a “hospitality package,” which includes tickets and meals, or a “sports-specific package,” which includes hotel and tickets.

AIRPORTS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT

there are two major airports in tokyo: haneda International airport (hnd) is closer to central tokyo and the equestrian venue than narita International airport (nrt), but narita offers more flight options from north america.

tokyo’s network of trains, subways and buses is very efficient, although there will be more usage during the Games. Prepaid smart cards for use on tokyo public transportation (trains, subways and buses) can be purchased from vending machines. taxis and uber are also available.

ACCOMMODATIONS

to be close to the baji koen equestrian Park, look for hotels or private housing for rent in tokyo’s setagaya ward (often called setagaya city in english, or it may be listed with the suffix “-ku” after the area’s name), or nearby wards of meguro, shibuya and shinjuku. or stay closer to the sea forest cross-country venue with housing in the koto ward.

TRAVEL VISAS

Pack your valid passport and your airline itinerary to prove you plan a flight home. an additional visa to enter Japan is not required for residents of the u.s. or canada who are tourists with stays of 90 days or less.

TOURISM

the Japan national tourism organization (Jnto) offers downloadable brochures, maps, language translator apps, public transportation information and event calendars at www.japan.travel/en.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

dress for hot, humid weather. expect temps in the mid- to high-80s during the day and lows in the 70s at night. don’t forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Pack rain gear since July and august are the rainiest months in tokyo.

Games organizers will allow spectators to carry in a water bottle, so bring a reusable one to carry with you.

allow plenty of extra time for travel to an intended destination and be ready to stand in organized lines, which are considered the only polite way to wait for entrance in Japan. check www.tokyo2020.org for a list of prohibited items for the sports venues.

to learn a few polite greetings and important questions in Japanese, download a mobile language translation app for your phone.

IMPORTANT LINKS

tokyo 2020 olympic Games: www.tokyo2020.org fédération Équestre Internationale (feI): www.fei.org