What's still open in Tokyo (as of March 9, 2020)
Hi Travelers, this is Kumi. How are you? Currently, I stopped offering guiding tours because I live with my parents who are relatively old and may have higher risks than others. I miss guiding SO MUCH!
This must be a very difficult time for everyone to decide whether to cancel your trip or not, but if you're still considering traveling to Japan, this article may help you make your decision.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2020/03/06/travel/coronavirus-safe-travel-japan
Personally, I really wish you come to Tokyo when you can make the most of it (that means not now). However, if you are already here or you're flying to Tokyo, you may wonder what is still available. So, let me tell you the some of the places you can still visit as of March 9, 2020. Picturesque Japan's blog articles are intended for enthusiastic photographers, but this may be useful for regular tourists, too.
Hamarikyu Gardens
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html
*The tea house is NOT available until late March due to renovation work.
*Nine Metropolitan Gardens, including Hamarikyu Gardens, are open during the day.
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/
Sensoji Temple
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/sensoji-temple-asakusa-photo-location.html
Meiji Shrine
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/meiji-shrine-photo-spot-tokyo.html
(*The museum is currently closed, but you can visit the shrine during the day)
Imperial Palace
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/imperial-palace-photo-location.html
(*East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays)
Shibuya Crossing
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/11/shibuya-crossing-where-to-take-photos.html
Shibuya Scramble Square
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/shibuya-sky-scramble-square-photo-location.html
Tokyo Tower
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/tokyo-tower-photo-location.html
Tokyo Station
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/tokyo-station-photo-location.html
Basically, outdoor attractions are still available.
One more important information! Even before COVID-19, Japanese people do wear masks, especially in winter and spring. Since I started guiding in 2017, more than 90 percent of my clients asked me "Why do Japanese wear masks?" because they were very surprised to see sooooo many people were wearing masks. So I always bring this sheet to tell them the reasons.
Even though CDC says masks won't help, this is more like Japanese culture. So, please don't be intimidated. Also, please don't try to convince the Japanese people not to wear a mask. This is our culture. These are the photos from two years ago. (March 7, 2018).
See? People are wearing masks. Very mysterious country? Anyway, masks are not available at any shop right now. So, if you're coming to Japan now, please bring your masks. For ordinary times, people don't care, but currently, hotel clerks, shop clerks, waiters, etc., may feel safer to see you wearing a mask. :)
This must be a very difficult time for everyone to decide whether to cancel your trip or not, but if you're still considering traveling to Japan, this article may help you make your decision.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2020/03/06/travel/coronavirus-safe-travel-japan
Personally, I really wish you come to Tokyo when you can make the most of it (that means not now). However, if you are already here or you're flying to Tokyo, you may wonder what is still available. So, let me tell you the some of the places you can still visit as of March 9, 2020. Picturesque Japan's blog articles are intended for enthusiastic photographers, but this may be useful for regular tourists, too.
Hamarikyu Gardens
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html
*The tea house is NOT available until late March due to renovation work.
*Nine Metropolitan Gardens, including Hamarikyu Gardens, are open during the day.
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/
Sensoji Temple
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/sensoji-temple-asakusa-photo-location.html
Meiji Shrine
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/meiji-shrine-photo-spot-tokyo.html
(*The museum is currently closed, but you can visit the shrine during the day)
Imperial Palace
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/imperial-palace-photo-location.html
(*East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays)
Shibuya Crossing
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/11/shibuya-crossing-where-to-take-photos.html
Shibuya Scramble Square
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/shibuya-sky-scramble-square-photo-location.html
Tokyo Tower
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/tokyo-tower-photo-location.html
Tokyo Station
https://pict-japan.blogspot.com/2019/12/tokyo-station-photo-location.html
Basically, outdoor attractions are still available.
One more important information! Even before COVID-19, Japanese people do wear masks, especially in winter and spring. Since I started guiding in 2017, more than 90 percent of my clients asked me "Why do Japanese wear masks?" because they were very surprised to see sooooo many people were wearing masks. So I always bring this sheet to tell them the reasons.
Even though CDC says masks won't help, this is more like Japanese culture. So, please don't be intimidated. Also, please don't try to convince the Japanese people not to wear a mask. This is our culture. These are the photos from two years ago. (March 7, 2018).
See? People are wearing masks. Very mysterious country? Anyway, masks are not available at any shop right now. So, if you're coming to Japan now, please bring your masks. For ordinary times, people don't care, but currently, hotel clerks, shop clerks, waiters, etc., may feel safer to see you wearing a mask. :)
