It has become common knowledge in the COVID-19 pandemic that extreme hygiene and distancing are crucial to stop spread the virus. The ways to achieve that are varied, with some common tried and tested and successful methods, as well as downright weird solutions. As all places, Japan is trying several measures, some very common, but…
Japan is generally well-regarded because of the country’s infrastructure that puts pedestrians first. One of the most striking things when visiting cities like Tokyo, is the prevalence of tactile pavings. These tactile tiles can be found across Japan, and their predominance has made them become one of the things people associate Japan with. With that…
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has declared a state of emergency, which he announced on Tuesday, April 7. The prefectures affected are Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka. The state of emergency, which takes effect immediately and continues until May 6, allows prefectural governors to set rules and strong guidelines to fight the pandemic.…
The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is raging around the planet, affecting everyone’s lives. With the virus still being researched as it spreads, information and measures are quickly changing, depending on the data. Here are some official resources: The World Health Organization JNTO Advisory regarding COVID-19 – useful and constantly updated information on visa policy changes,…
Japan is enacting its toughest travel restrictions since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In March, Japan announced that it would deny entry to any foreigner who has been to Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the Vatican 14 days prior…
Tourists visiting Japan tend to flock to the same spots, these being popular destinations that appear in every guidebook and website that recommends places to the millions of visitors that come to Japan each year. One of these places is Asakusa, where people stroll past multiple traditional restaurants and souvenir shops until they reach Senso-ji,…
by Zoria Petkoska The Novel Coronavirus pandemic is disrupting every facet of life around the globe, and humanity is scrambling to react and adapt our fragile systems. Japan is behind countries like its neighbours China and South Korea, as well as countries in Europe, both in covid-19 cases but also in taking measures to contain…
Is Tokyo heading a heading for a lockdown? That’s the question that many Tokyoites are struggling with this week. However, for many weeks, Tokyoites had been living their lives as if the coronavirs pandemic were not affecting many countries and overwhelming their health care systems; and while cases skyrocketed in countries like South Korea, Iran,…
Back in 2019, it had been announced that the iconic Harajuku Station would be demolished after the 2020 Olympics (though now the Olympics have been postponed until summer 2021 at the latest). This has been a sad turn of events for those who love the station’s façade, and those who want to preserve the last…
It’s official, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will not be taking place in 2020. Still, the Olympics will be moved to summer 2021 at the latest. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo reached the decision on Tuesday. The unprecedented move comes as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic that has locked…
