Paralympic Torch Relay set to arrive in Tokyo

After touring through 43 of Japan's 47 prefectures the Paralympic flame has begun its final journey to Tokyo Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games on 24 August.

With the concept of “Share Your Light”, flames have been gathered during flame lighting festivals in towns and cities across Japan as excitement builds in anticipation for the Paralympic Games on 24 August.

The Paralympic Torch Relay now moves to Shizuoka, Chiba and Saitama, which will see flame lighting ceremonies held across the three prefectures while the torch flame will also visit municipalities across these areas.

After its journey through these three prefectures, the flames from 46 prefectures will be brought together in Tokyo, along with the Heritage flame from Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain, to light the official Paralympic Flame on 20 August.

From there the Paralympic flame will travel around the Japanese capital for four days before the Opening Ceremony takes place.

Here’s everything you need to know about its journey through the latest stage of the Paralympic Torch Relay:

Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka is the first stop as the Paralympic Torch Relay makes its final journey to Tokyo. On 17 August, the prefecture, which is famous for being home to Mt.Fuji, will see the first torch relay of the day take place in Omaezaki City-Kikukawa City.

Maybe Mt.Fuji might even make an appearance.

The torch will then make its way to Hamamatsu City, where the Symbiotic Society Host Town initiative has been promoted for the Depart for Tokyo ceremony. A single flame to represent Shizuoka Prefecture will be lit from all the flame festivals and relays that took place.

The initiative has seen the city host a number of Brazilian Para athletes over the years in the lead up to the Paralympic Games while also holding various sports and cultural exchanges.

Shizuoka Prefecture is also home to Fuji International Speedway and Izu Velodrome - Paralympic Games venues for Cycling Road and Cycling Track.

Chiba Prefecture

The Paralympic Torch Relay in Chiba, will see the torch flame visit various locations across the prefectural capital of Chiba City on 18 August.

Chiba City is a Paralympic venue of several sports including goalball, sitting volleyball, taekwondo and wheelchair fencing which will all be held at Makuhari Messe Hall.

Throughout the day all 54 cities, towns and villages across Chiba will hold flame lighting festivals using their own unique method before they are all combined as one flame at Ichihara Suporeku Park. The sporting facility is a well-known training camp site which frequently host international sports teams and delegations.

Saitama Prefecture

Saitama is the penultimate prefecture, marking just five days until the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, as flame festivals and torch relays get underway on 19 August. Situated just north of Tokyo, known to as a major transport hub in the Kanto region.

With the Paralympic Torch Relay passing through six cities in the prefecture, starting in Satte City, it will arrive at the Asaka Central Park Athletics Stadium in Asaka City for the departure ceremony. This is where all the flames from Saitama will come together to make one.

There will be 17 flame lighting celebrations held across the prefecture as well.

Tokyo Prefecture

The flames from each of Japan's 47 prefectures will be brought together in Tokyo, where the official Paralympic Flame will be lit on 20 August. Ahead of this significant moment, and as the Opening Ceremony fast approaches, there will be Paralympic Flame Festivals in 62 municipalities across Tokyo - so the whole prefecture is represented in the single flame lit at the grand State Guest House Akasaka Palace later in the day.

From there, the Torch Relay will begin its journey around Tokyo outside the the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan, before making its way pass Sensoji Temple and taking in views of Tokyo Skytree. The following day (22 August) it will visit the downtown area of the host city.

On 23 August, the Torch Relay will travel through Tokyo's Tama area, where we will be introduced to the Ghibli Museum - dedicated to some of Japan's most loved anime characters and movies - as well at Tokyo Stadium before the final day sees some of city's most well-known sites visited.

Starting in the famed district of Nihonbashi and Ginza, the flame will take a stroll through Yoyogi Park, pass the Paralympic venues for badminton and wheelchair rugby before seeing both the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower in the distance as the Torch Relay moves to Tokyo's Bay area.

Then finally, the flame will arrive at the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.