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AZCENTRAL.COM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019 9C The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are almost here and if going to the games next summer, or simply want to soak up the Olympics-tinged atmosphere, you should start planning your journey. You probably have a lot of questions. But no need to fret, dear travelers: here to answer everything we can. a guide to all your Tokyo-relat- ed travel questions ahead of the 2020 Olympics: When are the Olympics? July 24 to Aug. 9.

U.S. travelers can still get a ticket, but only as part of a package. CoSport, the U.S. Olympics tickets retailer, is sold out of individual tickets but is waiting to see if it will re- ceive more. You can sign up for their email list.Packages are available on its website that include tickets and hotel accommodation.

One cheaper price, for a doubles trip, is $4,471.50 per person (for a three-night, four-event package from July 27-30). But you might want to hurry up: are still available but are run- ning Patricia Sweeney, a CoS- port customer care associate told USA TODAY in an email. When should I book flights for the Tokyo Olympics? There are always deals to be had, ac- cording to Darci Valiente, a U.S. searcher for Cheap Flights. Va- liente recommends booking at least six months in advance.

for the Olympics, prices will be even more ex- pensive than they already are for peak travel Valiente told USA TO- DAY. Catherine Heald, CEO and co-foun- der of Asia tour operator Remote Lands, recommends into Haneda Airport as closest to the city center. other airport is Narita International Air- port. How much should people expect to pay? Valiente recommends looking for under $800, depending on where they are in the U.S. And necessarily set your sights on directly into Tokyo.

saw to Osaka for peak summer more (numerous) than Toyko so be about where you into and consider taking the Valiente says. Marian Goldberg, The New York Times Travel Show Japan travel expert, recommends booking through a Japa- nese or Chinese travel agency if connecting from Beijing or Shanghai. Right now, prices are more ex- pensive if you want to be in Tokyo for the few days of the games and the opening ceremony, according to Va- liente. The prices drop in the middle to the end of the games. Travelers looking to make a 10- to 14-day excursion may want to stagger their journey so they ar- rive early and leave in the middle of the games, or arrive in the middle of the games and depart post-Olympics.

Where should I stay? Travelers have a number of options, including opting for a nearby city like Yokohama, which Amy Tadehara, a sen- ior travel consultant at Inside Japan Tours, refers to as cosmopoli- tan younger Hop on a train be- tween the two in less than 40 minutes. Edward Granville, chief operating of- at luxury travel company Red Savannah recommends booking with one of the travel partners and says that the best hotels usually give up their inventory to these groups. a construction book in prep- aration to the Olympics, Tokyo is look- ing at a massive accommodation short- Japan event travel expert Alan Om- lin and long-time Tokyo resident says. The Mizuho Research Institute points to a shortfall for the city. Airbnb has a reduced presence in the city thanks to a law restricting Airbnb rentals.

Michael Matsuo, a spokesper- son for Airbnb, said some hosts made their calendars open to book yet though a search during the Olympics period for one guest warranted more than 300 places to stay, varying wildly in price. If you decide to book a hotel, know that most Japanese hotels let more than three (or even two) people in one room. Rooms are also more expensive, according to Goldberg. fact, all Japa- nese-style accommodations charge per person and not per Goldberg says. Chef Hiroki Odo, owner and chef of o.d.o by ODO, the speakeasy kaiseki restaurant in New Flatiron neigh- borhood, recommends a ryokan (tradi- tional Japanese inn).

Besides the Olympics, what should I do in Tokyo? Shibuya Crossing Who knew a crosswalk could double as a tourist attraction? But Shibuya Crossing could be the busiest, according to Lonely Planet, noting that at peak times upwards of 3,000 people cross at a time. a scramble intersec- tion, which means all vehicle is stopped to allow pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time. Mount Fuji Although Mount Fuji technically in Tokyo, just a short car, bus or train ride to the active volcano, which is also tallest mountain. Visitors can explore trails from early July to early September. Animal cafes Tokyo has developed a worldwide reputation for its animal cafes.

In addi- tion to getting food and drink, visitors to the cafe are treated to interaction with cute, tame animals, such as hedgehogs, meerkats and ferrets. a dream come true for animal lovers. Other notable sights Takao Nishina, travel agency regional manager for Japan, recommends the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest broadcast tower in the world, as well as the Ghibli Museum for anima- tion fanatics and the Samurai Museum. What else should I do? Hakone: up in the moun- tains, a beautiful hideaway with a gondola that goes up into the mountains and a boat ride tour that sails the gor- geous Ashino Jay Allen, the pub- lisher of website Unseen Japan, told USA TODAY. Tadehara from Inside Ja- pan Tours says that elevation is a pleasant break from sum- mer heat.

Kyoto: Travelers can take a bullet train to cultural heart of Ta- dehara says. Nearly 2,000 temples and shrines are in the city. Osaka or Hiroshima: Tadehara adds that you can take a day trip to see foodie haven Osaka or even Hiroshima, where the atomic bomb dropped. Yokohama: Check out Minato Mirai, a portside area that has in the summer, according to Allen. Kamakura: Go here to see Komachi- dori, rich shopping section with small shops and restaurants; the Great Buddha of Kamakura at the Kotoku Temple, which has been preserved from the 13th century until today; and the oceanside shoreline of Kamakura which spectacular Allen says.

Getting around The city is easy to get around via pub- lic transportation, though taxis are an option. are easy to get, most take credit cards, and they can be used for short Goldberg says. just really expensive to take a taxi between distant Contributing: Savannah Brock, Julia Thompson Tokyo ticket packages David Oliver USA TODAY You should start planning for a trip to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. AP CRUISE SALE! PANDA TRAVELwww.pandatravel.com 602-943-3383 800-447-2632 Ships of British Bermudan Registries Restrictions apply. Fares per person, dbl occupancy, cruise only, subject to change and availability.

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We then ascended Mount Ulriken by cable car. That day was especially notable as it was the annual run for run- ners attempting to touch the top of all seven moun- tains. We saw runners and past us as they reached the top and moved on to the next moun- tain. We felt a bit sheepish watching while enjoying complimentary cinnamon rolls and One of the many joys of visiting Scandinavia is to watch its people enjoying life in their surroundings. said to be one of the happiest places on Earth, and we certainly were happy as we visited Denmark, Swe- den and Norway, hoping to return again soon.

The writer lives in Phoenix. Visiting fjords was a bucket-list adventure for Phyllis J. Schwartz COURTESY OF PHYLLIS J. SCHWARTZ Fjords Continued from Page 8C.