The requirements for entering Japan right now are quite complicated and vary depending on where you are traveling from. Because I came from Ontario, I had to provide a negative PCR test prior to departing taken within 72 hours, then an immediate test upon arrival in Japan, and another test at the end of the 3 day mandatory government quarantine at a hotel. Once being released from there, I now have to finish the remaining days in my 14 day total quarantine at another location. This could be at a home, but since I don’t have one yet, I’m staying in a hotel provided by my school, which is great.
Another nice aspect is that the quarantine rules are more lax and allow me to go outside. I am prohibited from using public transportation, and I am supposed to avoid ‘crowded’ areas. It’s a little strange because literally everything around Yokohama station is crowded. So when I go outside and walk around a bit, I have a strange feeling of guilt like I’m doing something wrong. I’m allowed to go into stores and shop … so I have … but I try to limit my time.
It is probably a good time to be doing my quarantine now as it’s the middle of the rain season and almost everyday features overcast skies with a mild rain which is cooling and actually quite enjoyable. It hasn’t been oppressively humid, which I am grateful for, and the dark skies give Yokohama a beautiful relaxed, quiet atmosphere. Here are some of the photo’s I took yesterday as I walked to the Red Brick Warehouse from Yokohama station, about a 3 hour walk in total. The Olympics are set to begin in a month, and while there is some reminders of it, it doesn’t feel like a city on the verge of a major international event. I know feelings in Japan are very mixed about having the Olympics at all. Personally I’m excited to be here during this time, even if I can’t go to an event, I always imagined being in a city hosting the Olympics would have an incredible atmosphere and energy. While this will be a totally unexpected experience, I look forward to seeing how Tokyo feels this time.
Young men fishing off the boardwalk
I find a lot of these discarded children’s shoes and boots when I wander around. Seems to be the same in every country
beautiful natural camouflage patterns on the bark
I love all the trains and train tracks in Japan