I think I will avoid Japan at least for a year for now. Luckily I managed to visit Hokkaido and Tokyo during recent CNY before the pandemic got worse.

Happening now. Sakura + snow. Once in 50 years. Damn I miss Japan.

They could close it anytime for maintanence or volcanic reaction. I was there last June and it was closed for the whole month due to volcanic reaction.

Glad you enjoyed it. Here is another short one.


Apparently this is a rare occurrence. Snow in end of March / early April in Tokyo and Gumma areas.

This post has been edited by TOMEI-R: Apr 2 2020, 03:25 PM

Cool.....


But much much less people on the streets compares to usual. I wonder there would be no queue to take a picture with Hachiko's statue.

This post has been edited by TOMEI-R: Apr 15 2020, 04:21 PM


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I was in Hokkaido for during this year CNY and according to the staff manning the counters at tourists attractions, there were lesser crowds, . But still the tourist attractions were still pretty much crowded as it was the Snow Festival around the whole Island and it was the peak of Winter. The slopes were still crowded, hotels fully booked around famous tourists areas like Niseko, the onsens at Hakodate was crowded. To me. it was the place was still very much crowded but according to the Japs, tourist arrivals were very much lower this year compared to yesteryears. Odari Park where Sapporo Snow festival was filled with people, making it hard to move around. People just weren't taking the virus too seriously then.
When I arrived at Tokyo, the streets, shopping areas and subways as well as tourists attractions are still packed as usual with no signs of people getting worried about covid 19. The usual areas of Kabukicho were still bursting with people as usual as well as Shibuya.

This post has been edited by TOMEI-R: Apr 16 2020, 03:50 PM

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/1...narita-airport/


Free ‘accommodation’ for all travelers to Tokyo... anybody interested ?

Great way of catching covid 19.....

Nice video.

Sad though to see the quiet streets of Tokyo and the deserted tourist attractions. I can almost say that it would never be the same again, even after the pandemic dies down. Weird enough though after watching this video, I sorta miss the crowds we always despise last time.

This post has been edited by TOMEI-R: May 11 2020, 05:53 PM

Especially for tourism since the Yen would be spiking. I have Yen has been on the steady rise even with lockdowns.

Hopefully. Its really bad for tourism if the yen keeps spiking. Its comfortable around 0.37-0.38 range.

Wow nice.. Hopefully everything will be back to normal after this pandemic is over. Though it is expected new norms will take over and many things will be different and many businesses will be closed by then.

Well... that I wouldn't want to bring that into discussion here la. But you know I know la. One good example would be Thailand and how good the economy and Thai baht was doing previously, part of it due to their tourism sector.

Anyway, hopefully everything will still be in place in a year or so. Also hoping the Jap Yen would not appreciate so much as this will hurt tourism too.

Fingers crossed, Olympic will be held next year. Not a good time to go Japan during summer then...

Enjoy guys.....

Thought I'd be too selfish not to share this with you guys.

This post has been edited by TOMEI-R: Nov 9 2020, 05:30 PM

Without the massive crowds and lightning at night at Dotonbori, it would never be the same again. I'm pretty sure many of the shops and businesses would have closed down for good.

I guess it will be the same in most tourists destinations. No massive crowds, no long open queues and ultimately less attractions opened, less night markets etc.. It will never be the same again. We will see.

Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku? No I didn't go in when I saw the entry fees was like 7000 to 8000 yen which to me is like a tourist trap.

That's where part of the 8000 yen goes to. Even though the PRC economy is fully opened up, I'm not sure if the they are allowed to easily leave their countries for holidays abroad.

I highly doubt so. Looking at the infection rates, we should be looking forward to 2023 instead.

Japan is opening up soon…


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Yes. But Yen to MYR exchange rates are way lower nowadays. Previously before the pandemic is was 1000 Yen = RM39. Now only Rm32. So yeah...