Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Feature Story
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
      • Bid Bowl Listings
      • Submission Form
        • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2022 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Olympic Sports > The Spirit of Omotenashi at the 2021 Olympics

The Spirit of Omotenashi at the 2021 Olympics

A $200,00 sword, a robot lush and a tour guide’s take on the postponed Games in Tokyo

Posted On : July 27, 2021 By : Jason Gewirtz
Omontenashi Olympics
Ito-san gives a group of international journalists a tour of "Tokyo Sports Square."

One of the biggest cases for hosting the Olympics Games is to put your city front and center for two weeks to the world. And from those with the interest, need or resources to travel to the Games, there is undoubtedly a tourism boost as well.

This year, however, with all spectators banned and athletes not even permitted to have family members with them, nearly everything tourism-related is off the table. Even for international media trying to tell the story of the host city at these Games, opportunities have been limited since we are limited to our hotels, the venues or the Main Press Center that serves as our central working headquarters.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a station at the Main Press Center to attract interest in tourism-related coverage.

Still, at the press center, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a station to do the best it can to promote what the city has to offer, whether people can get out or not. During the Games, the government is offering limited tours to select venues around the city, all of which are considered within our temporary bubble and compliant with the COVID-19 countermeasures established by Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo Sports Square is a building in central Tokyo that hosts a media center and a chance for Japanese artisans to show their crafts.

Curious to see what I’d find, I took a tour this week to what was dubbed as “Tokyo Sports Square.” Joining me on the tour was the type of international mix you typically see at the Games: A photographer from Belarus who had a free morning, a reporter from Venezuela and her camera operator from Mexico. Together we boarded a bus to get to the square, guided by the smiling Yutaka Ito, who said we should call him Ito-san.

The square itself didn’t appear to have any real sports connection, other than its operation during the Games as a base of communication for visitors. In fact, the square was just a building whose second and third floors are operating — or at least planned to operate — as an auxiliary media center for any visiting journalists who don’t have an official Olympics credential. In normal Olympics cycles, that number can be quite high. This year, it’s hard to imagine that there are many visiting journalists who aren’t in the system.

An artist prepares a hand-drawn pattern that will be used on kimonos.

Nonetheless, the ground floor of the building is being used as a TV studio for interviews and contains an exhibit called “Tokyo Tokyo All Japan Collection,” (one extra Tokyo for good measure…) which includes vendors of gifts from regions around the country. There, you can get everything from handmade kimonos to bottles of sake to $6 peaches that are deemed “perfect” to high-end samurai swords, one of which was selling for 22 million yen, or about $200,000. We were there before this part of the store was open to Japanese residents, or in theory, any tourists who might be in town. We were treated like VIPs. The vendors seemed genuinely pleased to see us and explained everything they had to offer, even if they knew we weren’t dropping $200,000 for a sword. They were happy to talk about their crafts.

A sword retailing for 22 million yen, or about $200,000.

Also on display was a small robot that could communicate with us in English. The Venezuelan reporter recommended the robot try tacos and tequila if it ever came to her part of the world. “I love alcohol,” the robot responded. “We’ll have to go for a drink together!” the reporter replied.

A robot that likes a good, stiff drink.

In less than 30 minutes, the tour was over and we were back on the bus.

On the way back to the media center, Ito-san explained to us the concept of “omotenashi.” He said it was hard to translate into English but that it meant something to the effect of extreme hospitality. When Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Games, he said, the goal was for the city to offer omotenashi to the expected visitors.

The Tokyo Tokyo All Japan Collection exhibit features products from around the country.

That got me thinking about the end game for Tokyo in these Games, where polling has suggested locals have had enough and are ready for the whole experience to be over because of the way things have played out in the pandemic. Ito-san had said at the start of our tour that he worked not for the government but as a tour guide. I wondered what his own thoughts and experience were as the IOC and Tokyo 2020 moved full steam ahead.

When the 1964 Games were here, Ito-san was 9 years old. He remembers the women’s volleyball team winning the country’s first gold medal in the sport. “In Japan, everyone went crazy about that,” he said. Of the Games themselves, “of course what I remember was the festival. Now I’m over 60 years old, so it’s a slightly different feeling.”

Slightly different may be an understatement. All concepts of a festival atmosphere are out for these Games. Even the fan festival that had been planned has been scrapped.

Read More Here

SportsTravel is reporting on the Olympic Games live from Tokyo and here at home. Read more coverage here.

I asked him his sense of whether the Japanese people truly want these Games at this point. If there was anyone who should be upset, it was Ito-san, a tour operator who no doubt was hoping for more business this week than shuttling four random international journalists to the lovely but otherwise empty Sports Square.

Was he disappointed at how it’s all worked out?

“Disappointed? No, it’s OK,” he said. “Individually for me, it’s OK.”

As for his fellow Japanese people: “There is some resentment among the Japanese people, it’s true,” he said. “I think before the Olympic Games, there were lots of arguments. But once the Olympics started, the Japanese people are interested in the results. I think it’s normal. Once the Games started, there’s no meaning to complain about the Olympic Games and whether it should be started or not.”

Indeed, Japan may be resigned to the Games continuing, but despite the rocky road to get the event underway, for one morning with a group of four journalists, Ito-san was putting on the bravest face he could in helping show off the city’s ingenuity and crafts. The spirit of omontenashi, at least, was in full effect.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Olympic Sports, Paralympic SportsTagged : Japan,Olympic Games,Tokyo 2020

Post navigation

Greater Lansing Welcomes Men’s Tennis Tournament Back to Michigan
Children’s Plant Project Another Sign of What Could Have Been at 2021 Olympics

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

sportstravel

SportsTravel was on location today in Atlanta at t SportsTravel was on location today in Atlanta at the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup, presented by Collegiate Sports Management Group, EsportsU and Skillshot Media at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. More than 400 collegiate players from all over the country competed with more than 2,000 attendees. #CECCAtlanta2022 #esportsindustry
SportsTravel is on location for the #NCAA beach vo SportsTravel is on location for the #NCAA beach volleyball championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. @gsob_sportsandevents is a partnership among Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Gulf State Park and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, the organization became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the GSOB Sports & Events – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality athletic and leisure events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. 

#GSOBsports
#GSOBsportsandevents
#GulfShores
#orangebeach
Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great chat wi Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great chat with Scott Howson, president of @theahl about how the hockey league survived the pandemic and what competition and events look like on the other side. We also explore his journey from player to executive.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major platforms.

#podcast #sportspodcast #hockey #hockeypodcast #AHL #sports #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness
SportsTravel is celebrating its 25th anniversary o SportsTravel is celebrating its 25th anniversary of issue one this year. We recently caught up on the SportsTravel Podcast with magazine founder Tim Schneider to talk about the origin of the publication, what those early days were like and where the industry is headed next.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @myrtlebeachconventioncenter for sponsoring this episode!

#podcast #sportspodcast #sports #sportstourism #sportstravel #magazine #magazineindustry #sportsbusiness #sportsbiz
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a conversation The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a conversation with @julius_journeys of @marriotthotels on the company’s @ncaa sponsorship and activation at the recent Women’s Final Four in Minneapolis. We also delve into his take on how sports have helped the travel industry recover. 

Take a listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

#podcast #sportspodcast #hotelindustry #sportssponsorship #basketball #womensbasketball #womensfinalfour @meetminneapolis
ICYMI: Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a must-l ICYMI: Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a must-listen with Tom Cove, the president and CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, where we go into which sports are trending up and which are trending down when it come to participation. More important, we explore what sports organizations and destinations should do depending where those trends are going.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms. Special thanks to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for sponsoring this episode!

@thesfia @myrtlebeachconventioncenter #podcast #sportspodcast #sports  #research #data #sportsparticipation #youthsports #pickleball #pickleballpodcast #sportsresearch
Two years ago, the cancellation of the BNP Paribas Two years ago, the cancellation of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was one of the first major sporting events that went away because of COVID-19. This year’s #BNPPO22 crowds have roared on some of #tennis’ biggest stars including Rafael #Nadal and more. With COVID restrictions recently lifted in California and a vaccine mandate in place, attendance over the middle weekend of the tournament—which runs through March 20—was close to 75 percent of its biggest years. Here is a look around the grounds at what a return to normalcy in the sports world looks like (fingers crossed). Saturday’s tight three-set match between Nadal and up-and-coming young American Sebastian Korda drew a close-to-capacity crowd and something that hasn’t been heard in awhile—legions of screaming fans, while the outer courts at the appropriately named @indianwellstennisgarden are a popular spot. Doubles action between John Isner and Jack Sock of the U.S. and Nick Kyrios and Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia was a popular draw on Stadium 2 but those not inside the stadiums can still watch the action on big screens on the lawn outside. Organizers of the @bnpparibasopen are happy to welcome fans back to what they call “Tennis Paradise."
College basketball is full of venues that reflect College basketball is full of venues that reflect the community teams play in and one such place is the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. Since it opened in 1966, the Reilly Center has served as the focal point on @bonnies_mbb and @bonnies_wbb game nights not only for the campus community but throughout the region. In 2016, ESPN selected it as the most difficult place for opponents to play in the Atlantic 10 and one of the top 10 such venues in the nation. In the summer of 2007, a state-of-the-art floor was installed and named "Bob Lanier Court" in honor of the 1970 @stbonaventureuniversity  graduate, All-American and Basketball Hall of Famer. Tuesday’s win over Rhode Island was in front of just under 4,000 fans in an atmosphere that sounded like twice as many people were there.
NEW EPISODE! With the @ciaasports men’s and wome NEW EPISODE! With the @ciaasports men’s and women’s basketball tournaments tipping off this week, we sit down with Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams to learn why the event has moved to Baltimore after years in Charlotte, the importance of ancillary events to the festivities and the pace of DEI efforts in collegiate sports hiring. Listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major #podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @marylandsportscommission for sponsoring this episode!

#sportspodcast #ciaa #basketball #collegebasketball #sportstourism #sportstravel @visitbmore #baltimore #maryland #hbcu #hbcubasketball
The Carrier Dome is the largest structure of its k The Carrier Dome is the largest structure of its kind on a college campus with tens of thousands every season coming to watch stars such as Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, Rony Seikaly, Sherman Douglas, Derrick Coleman and 2003 NCAA champions Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara. The Dome has hosted five NCAA East Regional since 2000 and also hosts SU's football team, the 11-time NCAA champion men's lacrosse team, the women's lacrosse squad and the women's basketball team. It’s iconic dome structure has been replaced with a more modern look in recent years. Saturday’s crowd saw the Orange beat Boston College 76-56.
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a chat with Stu The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a chat with Stu Upson, CEO of @usapickleball. We discuss what’s behind the phenomenon that SFIA says is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, the status of pickleball venues and the landscape for events.

Listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms. And special thanks to @playacsports for sponsoring this episode!

#pickleball #podcast #podcasts #sportspodcast #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #sportstourism #sportstravel
SportsTravel was excited to be on hand for today’s historic opening of the new @usabmx headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The venue includes office space for the NGB but even more importantly a world-class arena and a permanent home for the BMX Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for our upcoming coverage at SportsTravelMagazine.com.

#bmx #tulsa @visittulsa @tulsasportscommission #ngb #cycling
As part of its continuing 20th anniversary celebra As part of its continuing 20th anniversary celebrations of hosting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a public exhibition of sports including curling and biathlon was held outside along with pin trading, music and a climbing wall. Nearby at the @teamusa USA house with graphics designed by @infinite_scale, dignitaries and Olympic supporters from around the area gathered to watch the action from Beijing. Part of the afternoon included a visit from Senator Mitt Romney, who was part of the 2002 SLC leadership along with Fraser Bullock, with both speaking to a crowd that included Olympic legend Eric Heiden.
What does this robot bartender have anything to do What does this robot bartender have anything to do with the Olympic Winter Games? It’s one of the many quirky aspects of being in the “closed loop.” Visit SportsTravelMagazine.com for Lisa Delpy Neirotti’s inside look at what life is like in the loop.

#beijing #beijing2022 #robot #bartender @gwsportmngt #olympics
With its prime location near many of the most impo With its prime location near many of the most important business hubs in the northeast, Ocean City, Maryland, is a supremely accessible and scenic destination for groups. Planners can choose from a diverse array of group-friendly venues and treat their attendees to activities that include relaxing along 10 miles of white-sand beach, strolling a three-mile Boardwalk, trying their swing at any of 17 championship golf courses and savoring the cuisine at more than 200 restaurants. Find out more in our destination guide here: https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/guide-to-sports-events-and-venues-in-ocean-city
Stay close to the action and reserve your room now Stay close to the action and reserve your room now at the official host hotel of the EsportsTravel Summit, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Located at the edge of one of the most famous beaches in the world, the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort offers elegant oceanside rooms and provides convenient access to the EsportsTravel Summit, including the educational sessions and the Destination & Supplier Marketplace. Book your room at the EsportsTravel Summit special rate today and be part of the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers at the only event focused on the travel side of the esports industry. Visit esportstravelsummit.com for more information.
To mark the 20-year anniversary of Salt Lake City To mark the 20-year anniversary of Salt Lake City hosting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the torch at Rice-Eccles Stadium was re-lit during a Tuesday night ceremony. Governor Spencer Cox, Mayor Erin Mendenhall and 2002 Games CEO Fraser Bullock each spoke during the event, which included 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games athletes as well as current youth athletes representing the Children of Light, a theme from the 2002 opening and closing ceremonies. The torch will remain lit through this week.

#Olympics2022 #Olympics #WinterOlympics #TeamUSA  #saltlakecity #slc2030
With skiing and snowboarding underway in Beijing, With skiing and snowboarding underway in Beijing, be sure to check out our most recent episode of the SportsTravel Podcast, which features U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. We talk to her about the logistics of getting her team’s athletes to China, the growth of both sports and her being one of the few women to lead an NGB.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

@usskiteam @teamusa @beijing2022 #beijing #beijing2022 #ski #snowboard #skiing #snowboarding #olympics
Our @gwsportmngt Lisa Delpy Neirotti is in Beijing Our @gwsportmngt Lisa Delpy Neirotti is in Beijing and reports that despite the limited crowds, organizers are still providing a DJ and other entertainment, similar to what organizers did in Tokyo under similar circumstances. That was the case as the U.S. women’s hockey team dominated the Russian Olympic Committee team.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers tries his hand Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers tries his hand at curling during a kickoff to a weekend celebration at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum called Downtown Winter Fest. Two-time Paralympian John Register was also on hand for the announcement of the festival, which begins with a daylong event on Saturday to celebrate the Beijing Games. Olympians including Peggy Fleming will be on hand for autographs and attendees at the free event can see other sport demonstrations and experience a torch relay. Events are planned at the downtown museum throughout the Games.

@usopmuseum @visitcos @olympiccityusa @thesportscorp @teamusa #olympics #paralympics @springsgov #usopm #museum #beijing2022
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Ajay Nwosu: Building a Following for USA Teqball
  • Decision on 2030 Winter Games Host Coming Within Next Year, IOC Says
  • ATP, WTA Tours Axe Wimbledon Ranking Points over Ban
  • FIFA to Announce 2026 World Cup Host Cities on June 16
  • Prefontaine Classic Returns to Normalcy in 2022
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2022 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.