As we are all urged to stay at home by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike this weekend, there has still been a fear that many would still go out, especially to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms. Despite the looming threat of a potential citywide lockdown should people ignore it.
So it comes as a pleasant surprise that shops and parks have voluntarily closed this weekend in Tokyo to make it easier for Tokyoites to resist the temptation.
You may think this is overreacting, but as this week has seen cases rising day by day, it is certainly a much-needed measure.
Although let’s not forget, with an incubation period of roughly 2 weeks, we may be already heading towards a bigger outbreak. Which makes it even more important to self-distance and stay home as much as possible.
These places are closed this Weekend in Tokyo
1.Public Parks
Because many Tokyoites have still been gathering, especially to view the cherry blossom, Yoyogi Park, Inokashira Park, and Ueno Park have restricted their access this weekend. With popular Hanami spots blocked off.
2.Shops
Shopping being the second on the list on how to spend your weekend in Tokyo, many department stores have also decided to close their doors this weekend. Here is a list of closures on the 28th and 29th of March:
- Shibuya 109
- Shibuya Parco
- Lumine: Most will close, with some only opening their Food section. (Closed: Shinjuku, Shinjuku est, Ikebukuro, Yurakucho, NEWoMAN, Machida, Yokohama, Partly open: Tachikawa, Ogikubo, Omiya, Fujisawa, Kita-Senju, Ofura, Kawagoe
- Takashiyama
- Laforet Harajuku
3.Starbucks
This popular Coffee chain will close almost all their stores over the weekend and has adopted new opening times afterward, closing its stores early at 7 pm.
4.Toho Cinemas
All locations are closed over the weekend and in addition to that, from the 30th of March to the 2nd of April, there will be no screenings held after 8 pm.
Take no chances
With the news this week and cases on the rise, the best course of action is staying home.
As Governor Koike’s request for this weekend was still just a “request” this could quickly change. With the newly created special task force by the Japanese Government and the resent adjustment of the law allowing Abe to declare a state of emergency, it is really everybody’s responsibility to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus and avoid the consequences.
So please stay at home, practice self-distancing and hopefully we can escape the scenarios we see on the news from abroad.
You can check the latest up-date-on Coronavirus cases from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in English here or if you need to talk there are multilingual hotlines available.
