Cherry Blossom @ Kitazawagawa walking path: March 22, 2020

The cherry blossom started in Tokyo.

It is about two weeks earlier than usual.

The coronavirus is spreading throughout the world now. The situation in Tokyo is better than Europe and the U.S., but the government asks the citizens to avoid having gatherings.

I visited Hanegi Park in Setagaya City.

I also walked along the Kitazawagawa walking path in Setagaya City, western Tokyo.

People usually enjoy cherry blossom picnics under the cherry trees.

I found some groups enjoying picnic under the cherry trees (neglecting the government's advises). Still, the number of such groups were fewer than usual,.

Ginza under corona shock: March 20, 2020

More than two months have passed since the coronavirus started spreading worldwide.

Japan’s situation is better than European countries and U.S. for now. The reported patients are less than 1,000 and the victims are about 30.

In Italy, nearly 50,000 patients have been reported and more than 4,000 have been dead.

It is a national holiday in Japan today. I visited Ginza.

The roads were vehicle-free today. They were less crowded than before, but were not empty.

There were fewer guests than usual in the shops.

Most people I found were Japanese. The area had been crowded with foreign tourists before the corona shock.

The promotion signs of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were displayed here and there. I found many sign poles on the street (see the top photo). The parasols were printed with Tokyo Games information.

It is not sure when the situation will return normal.