2nd Christmas under Covid pandemic: Dec 23-25, 2021

It is Christmas.

Following the previous year, we had the holy day under the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan is now in the short break of infection. Still, people are asked to refrain from some activities, such as having big Christmas parties, and the towns are relatively quiet.

Shops were decorated with Christmas goods and illustrations. The photo was taken at the Odakyu Line’s Kyodo.

People visited a bakery shop to buy Christmas cakes in Umegaoka.

They had open air stalls in front of Shimokitazawa station in Setagaya City.

People were in a line to draw the Christmas lotteries after their shopping in Gotokuji on the Odakyu Line. 

There are many and various Christmas trees in Tokyo. This is an artificial tree in the Roka Park, Setagaya City.

Churches hold the Christmas mass and other events.

 

 

Winter Scenes: Dec. 23-25, 2021

  

We had the winter solstice this week.

Northern parts of Japan were covered with heavy snow.

Tokyo had cold days.

The gingko, cherry and other trees have lost their leaves.

This is a scene in the Hanegi Park. The gingko trees held yellow leves two weeks ago. They are now bold.

A type of Japanese apricot opens its flowers at this time. Other types will open the flowers in the coming February.

A large gingko tree in Shinganji Temple has just lost its old leaves. A temple person was collecting the fallen leaves.

All trees were almost bold at  the Setagaya Hachiman Shrine.

This is a scene at the walking path.

Season turning to winter: Dec. 11-12, 2021

 

 

It is the 2nd week of December. 

The season is turning to winter in Tokyo.

Japan now has a short break of pandemic. The restrictions on people’s activities are now looser than before. However, next wave of infection is expected to arrive in the coming months (the spread of omicron variant started in the world).

 

I enjoyed the latest sights of autumn color during my walks near my house.

The gingko trees still held yellow leaves at a walking path. (See also the top photo)

People walked under the gingko trees in Hanegi Park in Setagaya City. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

 

I found the maple trees still holding red leaves.

A moon eclipse night: Nov. 19, 2021

 

Tokyo had a lunar eclipse tonight. 

It was a partial eclipse, but 98% of the moon was covered with the earth’s shadow in its peak.

The weather in Tokyo was light cloudy, unfortunately.

We could only see a hazy moon in the early night, when the eclipse took place.

These photos show how the moon changed its appearance.

I watched the astronomical event from a place near the Imperial Palace, central Tokyo.

The eclipsed moon stayed behind pine trees and skyscrapers.

People were still working in the office buildings. (See also the 1st and 2nd photos in this post).

 

The moon was very small at the eclipse’s peak. 

The astronomical show continues about 2 hours and half.

Later, the weather got better.

The full moon was shining beautifully above Tokyo. (See the 5th photo)

 

 

Mt. Fuji: Oct. 24, 2021

I had a short visit to Shizuoka as the declaration of emergency on the COVID-19 ended early this month.

I had many opportunities to see Mt. Fuji.

 

The mountain top has already covered with snow. The coverage was earlier than usual.

This is a scene from Fuji City, about 20 km south from the mountain. (See also the top photo)

The vegetable and other fields were still green.

 

The is a scene from the Fujikawa River. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

This is a photo from a central part of Shizuoka City, about 50 km southwest from Mt. Fuji. We can see the peak through the roofs of houses.

 

Mt. Fuji stands behind a field covered with water.

There were herons in the fields. They were looking for foods. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

 

Autumn colors and flowers: Oct. 18-27, 2021

 

Although the infection of COVID-19 has been is decreasing after late September in Japan, people are still cautious about the disease. Most people wear masks; refrain from drinking out; and continues tele-working. Many expect the 6^th wave of infection in the coming months.

 

Meanwhile, the season is turning as usual.

The leaves began to fall from some trees. (See also the 3rd photo)

The colors of the leaves begun to change.

 

The gate of the Gotokuji Temple reopened after the state of emergency ended on Oct.1. The temple was temporally closed during the emergency call. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

 

Leaves of maple and other trees have turned red.

 

Some leaves have turned red of yellow in many streets in the Setagaya City. (See also the 4th photo)

 

Autumn flowers are now fully open.

Cosmos flowers are fully open in the Roka Park in Setagaya. They have been in bloom for more than a month.

 

There were various flowers in the walking paths. I found daisy flowers.

 

I also found common sage flowers there.

 

 

 

 

Special open day of Tokyo Equestrian Park, an Olympic site; Sept. 7, 2021

 

 

The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were over on Sept 5.

Most games were held without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many new facilities were built for the events, but their audience seats were empty during the games. Some parts of the facilities, including seats, will be removed without being used.

 

The Tokyo Equestrian Park, or Baji Park, is one of such facilities.

New facilities, including a stadium, were built for the games. The 20 thousand audience seats of the stadium have not been used. Then, most of the sears will be removed.

 

JRA (Japan Racing Association), the owner of the facilities, opened the park to the public on Sept. 6 and 7.

Thousands of people visited the place to see the Olympic and Paralympic facilities before they are removed.

 

The obstacles used in the show jumping competitions were displayed in many places in the park. (See also the top photo)

The Olympic Rings were also placed.

 

This maiko (Japanese traditional entertainer) boards were placed at the sides of an obstacle during the competitions.

 

Many peoples were watching the competition field from the seats in the stadium. (See also the 2nd and 3rd photos)

 

They also watched the field from nearer places.

 

The white sands from the Netherland as well as fiber materials and sheet pieces are used in the field. This combination is good for the legs of the horses, a staff member explained.

Tokyo 2020 staff members guided the visitors and helped them to take their group pictures. (See the top photo)

 

The backyard-facilities looked good. They will also be removed soon.

 

There are still many arguments on the TOKYO 2020 events (Olympic and Paralympic Games). Opinions divide on whether the Games should have been held or not. 

Someone say that the COVID-19 infection was accelerated because of the events. Others disagree to the idea.

 

Leaving many questions unanswered, the TOKYO 2020 was over. 

Today’s visit was the only experience for me to enter the Olympic and Paralympic site.