<strong>EPICURE</strong> escapes THE OLYMPIC YEAR WHAT'S NEW IN JAPAN? With Japan gearing up for the Tokyo <strong>2020</strong> Olympic and Paralympic Games, attention is being focused on the Tohoku region in northern Honshu, which was heavily affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Prefectures within the region such as Aomori, Fukushima and Miyagi will be some of the first to receive the Olympic Torch Relay and will play host to part of the games. Tohoku is easily accessible from Tokyo by shinkansen and is celebrated for its local produce and vast natural beauty. THE OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS <strong>2020</strong> TRAVELS THROUGH TOHOKU Following a tradition of peace and hope, the touch relay theme this year is ‘Hope Lights Our Way’, uniting the Japanese people around messages of support and acceptance. The flame will initially be put on display at various locations in the Tohoku region, to help underscore a message of hope in areas affected by the 2011 earthquakes and tsunami, including Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate. The Olympic Torch Relay will commence on 26 March <strong>2020</strong> in Fukushima Prefecture and will then travel to each of Japan’s 47 prefectures, showcasing the varied cultural and scenic attractions of each region. Miyagi is lucky enough to play host to the Olympic flame twice, once on 20 March <strong>2020</strong> when it arrives from Greece and displayed in recovering areas and again from 20-22 June <strong>2020</strong> on its way to Tokyo for the Games. A place of natural beauty, Miyagi boasts both beautiful coastline and lush wilderness. Visit Zuiganji, one of the region’s most prominent Zen temples well-known for its beautifully gilded and painted sliding doors. Originally founded in 838 AD, it was converted into a Zen temple in the 12th century and remains a training ground for Buddhist monks. TOKYO <strong>2020</strong> VICTORY BOUQUET FLOWERS FROM THE TOHOKU REGION <strong>Early</strong> this year, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced the decision to present victory flower bouquets to medalists. These flowers will be made up of flowers from the hardest hit prefectures in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake disaster as a symbol of recovery including; Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima. Flowers that will be used in these bouquets include sunflowers and roses from Miyagi and gentians from Iwate. NIPPON <strong>2020</strong> CULTURAL OLYMPICS Tokyo <strong>2020</strong> Nippon Festival has been created to build energy around the Tokyo <strong>2020</strong> Olympic and Paralympic Games. The festival welcomes people and cultures from around Japan "THE MIYAGI PREFECTURE IS A PLACE OF NATURAL BEAUTY, STUNNING COASTLINE AND ADORABLE WILDLIFE AND IN <strong>2020</strong> WILL BE THE HOST TO SEVERAL MEN’S OLYMPIC GAME FOOTBALL MATCHES." and beyond to interact and celebrate the Games, events will be organised to encourage diversity and regeneration in the Tohoku region opening new gateways and introducing new possibilities for Japan. MIYAGI PLAYS HOST TO THE FOOTBALL MATCHES DURING THE <strong>2020</strong> OLYMPIC GAMES The Miyagi Prefecture is a place of natural beauty, stunning coastline and adorable wildlife and in <strong>2020</strong> will be the host to several men’s Olympic Game football matches. Catch the Men’s Quarterfinal at Miyagi Stadium on 1 August <strong>2020</strong>. The stadium is just a stone throw’s away from Matsushima Bay, enjoy some down time after the games and explore the collection of over 260 pineclad islands that have been designated one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views. Visit the region’s cosmopolitan capital Sendai, fondly nicknamed the City of Trees, and sample some of the prefecture’s culinary delights such as, gyutan (cow tongue) and kamaboko (white fish cakes). Additionally, Zao Fox Village is a must whilst in Miyagi, the village is home to six different types of fox, here visitors can feed and play with the adorable creatures, the animals are friendly up close and play a key role in Japanese folklore. RESTORATION AND THE REOPENING OF THE KABUSHIMA SHRINE Whilst travelling to Japan for the <strong>2020</strong> Olympic Games it is worth extending the trip of a lifetime to nearby areas. Located in the Tohoku region in Aomori Prefecture is Hachinohe City, here is where the renowned Kabushima shrine stands. The shrine was completely destroyed in a fire on 5 November 2015, the new shrine is under construction and is scheduled to be reopened in March <strong>2020</strong>.The shrine was incredibly picturesque located on a small hill surrounded by the sea, it enshrines goddess Benzaiten. Kabu in Kabushima can mean both turnip and stock in Japanese, the shrine is therefore a popular place for local fishermen and townspeople to come and pray for good luck in the stock market and business, as well as fishing. For more information on Japan <strong>2020</strong> visit: japan.travel/en/uk 108 <strong>EPICURE</strong> | <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2020</strong> <strong>EPICURE</strong> <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2020</strong>.indd 108 24/01/<strong>2020</strong> 15:31
BE AT THE TOKYO <strong>2020</strong> OLYMPIC GAMES WITH TEAM GB’S OWN TRAVEL COMPANY VISIT TEAMGB.COM/TRAVEL OR CALL 0344 788 4002 TEAMGB LIVE DRAFT A4_Full_Page_with_Bleed_297mm_high_x_210mm_wide 0104.indd 1 07/01/<strong>2020</strong> 11:17 <strong>EPICURE</strong> <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2020</strong>.indd 109 24/01/<strong>2020</strong> 15:31
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