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.