The five-ring Olympic emblem was revealed to the public in Tokyo this year during its official inauguration on 24 January, just six months before the opening ceremony. In the evening, the monument was lit up with fireworks over Tokyo Bay while the Rainbow Bridge and Sky Tree celebrated the night with the special Olympic-coloured illumination.
This moment was also a symbolic monument for many Japanese, as the place on which the emblem stands was a former fortress island protecting Tokyo against possible attacks from foreign countries during the national seclusion period of the Edo era. But now, in a drastic shift which echoes the zeitgeist of the modern era, this former symbol of rejection has become a new symbol of peace and welcome to countries from all over the world.
Meanwhile in the centre of Tokyo, the New National Stadium – designed by world-renowned architecture, Kengo Kuma – was completed in November 2019 after three years of construction. Just across from the stadium stands the Japan Olympic Museum, which was just built last Autumn and has been steadily becoming a popular destination since the completion of the nearby stadium. The exhibition consists of several themed sections, such as “discover”, “learn”, and “experience”. The “Olympics Games” zone is an especially fun area where visitors can experience the physical movements of the sports and try to match the physical abilities of top Olympic athletes.
Along with these ongoing events, visitors will also receive cultural benefits during the Olympic games. The Tokyo National Museum is planning to extend their operating hours until 21:00 pm and the National Museum of Modern Art is considering operating every day. As the start date of the games approaches, more cultural facilities in Tokyo may offer a wider range of options to visitors.
