Tokyo 2020 - Traditions & Technology

TOKYO 2020 – TRADITIONS & TECHNOLOGY

I’ve created this LEGO set to commemorate the upcoming Games of the XXXII Olympiad (2020 Summer Olympics), or commonly known as Tokyo 2020. This global sporting event will be held from 24th July to 9th August 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.

The host nation’s initiatives in wanting to make their Tokyo 2020 really a unique experience to all - be it to all the athletes involved and the guest sport fans, is really impressive. Blending their Japanese well-preserved traditions with their technology superior ability in a perfect well-balanced harmony. As the host nation of Tokyo 2020, Japan has also been very generous to provide the ease of innovative mobility to all during the event. Besides all the sporting games of the Summer Olympics, for the visiting sport fans or tourists, it is also meant a time for them to take a break - the Summer Vacation. And, what else comes along naturally with vacation if it is not for that ‘souvenir shopping while visiting interesting landmark’. Hence, for that very reason is why I’ve developed and created this set - to depicts that perfect harmony between traditions and technology, but from the perspective of the sport fans or tourists instead.

This set consists of the innovative electric vehicle named APM (Accessible People Mover), a two floors Tokyo 2020 Souvenir Shop and a uniquely Japanese traditional gate called Torii.

The APM (Accessible People Mover) is explicitly built and produced by Toyota for the use during Tokyo 2020, and it is not only for the athletes and staff of the Summer Olympics, but also for all. The APM is one of the many innovative people movers made available for the city of Tokyo during the event. For my own version of this APM, it is a right hand drive e-vehicle and can transport 6 people (3 on the middle row, another 3 in the back row and spaces for luggage) at any one time. It has a lowered floor and seemed to be floating on the air when moving. The e-vehicle is driven by an APM Driver and all the passengers’ needs is managed by the APM Assistant

As for the Souvenir Shop, a big Tokyo 2020 billboard is cleverly attached to the building and served as its front wall. The building has two floors that sells souvenirs and merchandises. The hinged building rear wall allows easy access to maximize playability. The Souvenir Shop is manned by 3 staffs, the Shop Manager, the Shop Assistant and the Shop Cashier.

The Torii is a traditional gate that is uniquely Japanese and most commonly found at the entrance or within a sacred Shinto shrine or landmark. It symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred. The Torii of this set is in red, its traditional common color, and its design is of Daiwa or Inari type.

10 minifigures are included in this set – 5 Sport Fans / Tourists, 1 APM Driver, 1 APM Assistant and 3 Souvenir Shop staffs.