An Olympic
odyssey
in Japan

World class athletes meet world class culture and dining in a trip that takes in Japan’s twin centres of tourism.

A little over a year before the Summer Olympics 2020 were scheduled, we were approached to create a magnificent Japanese adventure for two families. We worked closely with the guests to understand their interests, and created a bespoke itinerary that allows them to experience the incredible culture that Japan has to offer, while leaving time for the group to fully enjoy the incredible spectacle of the Olympic Games.

With a diverse list of interests across the group, Blend Group were tasked with creating an itinerary that will provide an exceptional experience for everyone on the trip. The group will be met at Tokyo airport by their private VIP transfer, who will whisk them across the city to the five-star Mesm Tokyo. This hotel is perfectly placed on the edge of Tokyo Bay, offering easy access to the Olympic Tokyo Bay Zone, and the Olympic Heritage Zone. To give our guests a sense of the city, they will be taken on a three-day private tour that covers some of Tokyo’s most special sights. From the spiritual shrine of Meiji Jingu, to the unique street style of Harajuku and the contemporary architecture of Omotesando; the immersive art of TeamLabs to a meet and greet with Asimo the Robot at the Museum of Science & Engineering technology; a workshop in Nijutsu with a member of an ancient ninja clan, to Japanese home cooking classes Manga drawing lessons, or a tour of the Studio Ghibli Museum, the group will experience a wealth of ancient and modern Japanese culture.

Of course, the main draw of the trip is the opportunity to see world class athletes compete at the Olympics. The group will have tickets to the memorable Opening Ceremony, as well as a number of competitions that match their interests.

After experiencing the unique culture of Tokyo, Japan’s modern heart, the group will travel to Kyoto, the country’s traditional soul. A first-class train ticket on the Shinkansen, more commonly referred to as the Bullet Train, is an experience in itself and will wind its way through the countryside between the two cities, before our guests arrive at the Four Seasons Kyoto, the city’s newest luxury address. Here, guests can relax, and soak up the slower pace of some of Japan’s ancient arts. The tour of Kyoto begins with a tea ceremony at a Zen temple, before taking the group to experience the temples and gardens tucked amid the bamboo groves in the northwest and west of the city. The next day, Blend Group have organised for our guests to see the iconic red gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It’s the perfect place to take a walk and build up a thirst for a traditional green tea, the famous export of nearby Uji. The group will also unlock their inner Zen creativity with an Ikebana flower arranging lesson, which draws traditional Japanese principles of simplicity to create stunning aesthetic arrangements.

Alongside this cultural adventure, the group specified that they would like to experience Japan’s world-famous food scene. Blend Group have organised a gastronomic journey to match the incredible itinerary, taking in early morning trips to find the freshest fish at the iconic Tsukiji fish market, to Robot restaurants, Michelin-starred fine dining at city hotspots, and even exclusive insider access to a private geisha dinner in Kyoto.

If you are interested in combining sport and culture in Japan, please get in touch with a member of the Blend Group team.