Experience Japan’s volunteer spirit from your own home
People from around the world unable to travel to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo will still get to experience gold-medal hospitality from local Games volunteers firsthand, thanks to a new series of Online Experiences on Airbnb.
Airbnb has partnered with the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center – an organization operationally supporting the Games – to help ensure that world-renowned Olympic volunteer spirit touches as many hearts as possible. At a time when many Olympic and Paralympic fans find themselves unable to make it to the Games, a series of 20 unique Online Experiences hosted by 89 local volunteers will help them feel connected to the event in a truly memorable way.
Hosted by locals, these free, authentic experiences will give guests insights into the venues, cities and history behind this year’s Games. From a virtual tour of the Paralympic Marathon course, to an introduction to the Fukushima Azuma Stadium area paired with a calligraphy class, guests will uniquely experience Games-hosting cities across Japan – including through Online Experiences in Miyagi, Fukushima, Yokohama, Shizuoka and Tokyo. The initiative also aims to inspire future travel to Japan by showcasing local culture, attractions and hidden gems.
“We are very pleased to be working with Airbnb, which has many fans all over the world. Due to COVID-19, spectators from overseas cannot visit the Games and it is a very disappointing situation for everyone who has been looking forward to welcoming spectators in the city. Under such circumstances, this initiative enables us to highlight the attractiveness of tourist destinations in Japan and show how areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake are recovering, to people both domestically and internationally. It will be a very valuable opportunity for the cities. We hope that this initiative will not only foster the spirit of the tournament, but also foster a volunteer legacy after the Games.”
Kazutoshi Watanabe, President of Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center
“We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center to showcase these incredible cities and highlight what makes them special. Importantly, we’re excited to be helping people from around the world forge authentic and meaningful connections with local Games volunteers who are passionate advocates for their communities and wonderfully hospitable Hosts. For those unable to travel to this year’s Games, these unique Online Experiences will provide a way to experience that famous, gold-medal volunteer spirit firsthand.”
Yasu Tanabe, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Japan
Booking these Online Experiences will be conducted on a first-come-first serve basis, at no cost. Group reservations are available and sessions in both Japanese and English will be offered. Further information can be found via https://www.airbnb.com/d/hostedbycityguides
About the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center
The Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center (also popularly known as “Volasapo”) was established as an organization to carry out operations related to cooperation based on the agreement relating to cooperation in the area of volunteer activities for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and support the work of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information, please visit https://www.volasapo.tokyo/.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 900 million guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.