Spectators can’t go to see the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in person this year, but you can still get into the spirit and cheer on the Japanese national team at the Asics Experience pop-up store in Harajuku. The entire first floor will be dedicated to Japan’s athletes, also known as Team Red for their vivid red uniforms designed by none other than Asics.
You’ll be able to see an entire collection of official team uniforms including shirts, jackets, pants and shoes, which were designed based on extensive research at the Asics Institute of Sport Science to create highly breathable athleticwear. There are also fun interactive games that let you face off against major Japanese athletes. You can have a 60-second virtual rally with table tennis player Kasumi Ishikawa, challenge yourself to jump as high as Yuji Nishida does during his volleyball games, or compare your running stride with track sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu.
The second floor is the Future Experience Lab, where you can take a sneak peak at what Asics envisions its sportswear will be like in 2030. You’ll be able to see how the brand will create its future athleticwear from recycled shirts and shoes in the Sustainability area. The Personalized Future section has a machine where you can get your feet scanned in an instant to work out their dimensions. You won’t be able to get free personalised shoes like the athletes do in the Olympic Village, but you’ll be gifted a pair of sandals instead. Finish your tour with a jog on a treadmill at the Future Personal Trainer station, where you will receive real-time feedback from a digital coach.
Asics Experience Tokyo is entirely free, but you must register for the free Asics membership online.