Hope Lights our Way

Hope Lights our Way

The Olympic flame is preserved in the lantern during the 'Flame of Recovery' special exhibition at Aquamarine Park in Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan

The Olympic Torch Relay for Tokyo 2020 began with the kindling of the Olympic flame by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece, on 12 March 2020, before it was transported by a special “Tokyo 2020 Go” jet to Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Watch every minute of the Olympic Torch Relay live on the Tokyo 2020 website, starting Thursday 25 March 2021.

*The schedule and dates in the footage are based on the original schedule of the Olympic Torch Relay prior to its postponement. Following the postponement, the scheduled dates will be one day earlier than those in the previous schedule (the days of the week will match the previous schedule).

The concept for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay across Japan will be "Hope Lights Our Way", uniting the Japanese people around messages about supporting, accepting and encouraging one another.

Hope Lights our Way

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The Olympic flame is often associated with a message of peace and hope, as it is carried around the host nation, and as such has become one of the most powerful symbols of the Olympic Movement. In 2020, the Olympic flame will not only symbolise the sunrise of a new era spreading the hope that will light our way, but will also serve to spread the joy and passion of the Japanese around the Olympic Movement as the Games approach.

Upon its arrival in Japan, the Olympic flame will initially be put on display at various locations in the Tohoku region, to help underscore this message of hope in the areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Hope Lights our Way

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A route that enables people all over Japan to see the Torch Relay

  • The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, which will be held across all 47 prefectures of Japan, will start its journey on 25 March 2021 from the J-Village National Training Center in Fukushima Prefecture. The Olympic flame will serve as a symbol of the Olympic Games and will traverse the length and breadth of Japan for a period of 121 days.
  • The Torch Relay will cover some 98% of the population of Japan
    Along with the relays being held in the various local municipalities, some 98% of the population of Japan will be within an hour's journey by vehicle or train from the Torch Relay.

Tokyo 2020 will endeavour to prevent infections of both spectators, torchbearers, management staff, other people involved in the Torch Relay and local residents, and will implement the following new models to realise a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay. We will implement measures against coronavirus infections.

Hope Lights our Way

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Information About COVID-19 Measures

A Torch Relay designed to showcase Japan’s charming destinations

The Torch Relay will be held in areas that pass by World Heritage Sites, famous locations, historic remains and sites that are the favourites of the local population ⁠— all locations that lend themselves to outstanding domestic and international promotional opportunities, as the charm of each destination is showcased during the 121-day Torch Relay journey.

See the Route of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay

See the day of the Torch Relay

See how to enjoy

Japan's 47 Prefectures - JNTO website

Japan's prefectures and regions: See a map and list of Japan's 47 prefectures and eight geographical regions with major towns and cities in each prefecture. *This page does not match the Torch Relay's routes

Japan's 47 Prefectures - JNTO website