New Year scenes under COVID-19: Jan 1-3, 2021

  

A Happy New Year !

2021 started as  the COVID-19 pandemic continued.

The scenes of the new year were quite different from the ones seen in the previous year.

Many people refrained from going back to their home towns. Planes as well as long-distance trains had fewer passengers. Many shops in Tokyo ceased operations in the period.

Tokyo’s people seemed to spend their times in and around their homes.

 I had walks in various areas in western Tokyo during the first three days of the new year.

I found hundreds of people making a line in the Setagaya Hachiman Shrine in Setagaya City, western Tokyo. (See also the top and 2nd photos)

There was a sign to ask people to keep distance from other visitors in the side entrance.

People were also making a queue in Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya. (See also the 3rd photo)

Many people seemed to be praying safety in the new year.

I dropped in the Daita Hachiman Shrine (see the 5th photo) the Rokusho Shrine during my walk.

People enjoyed flying kite in Hanegi Park in Setagaya.

Some of Ume (Japanese apricot) trees began to open flowers. (See also the 4th photo)

The weather was good in the new-year days.

 The combination of white and pink flowers and the blue sly was beautiful.