Anna Matsushita

  Our local shrine’s festival resumed for the first time in three years. Streets were once again jolly with illuminated lanterns. Kids were playing wood flute and drums to add festive feeling. They were performing the music in front of train station. People enjoyed the music in the evening.   I assume that the shrine must have planned the festival when the number of corona patients were decreasing daily – at least until June 2022. People must have put much effort into the preparation, looking forward once again to practice the music, drew out the portable shrine (Omikoshi) ready to be carried around the town, and float to carry the music bands.   Before COVID-19, the festival was like these;   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oWNuFH-CIg https://youtu.be/97cu-n3QXrc I watched the children playing music with somewhat mixed feeling. By the time the festival started, the number of COVID-19 patients were increasing at tremendous speed. I was tracking only the daily figure

The Japanese government announced that Japan will reopen to tourist from abroad from the beginning of June, allowing 20000 people per day.   This is good news for those who wish to visit and enjoy Japan for the first time in two years. Also, this is a big shift for those in travel industry in Japan. They can finally welcome visitors from abroad – some cities and towns have been relied upon visitors from abroad for years. They have been waiting for this moment for long time – two years are definitely long for some businesses such as restaurants, tourist spots and gift shops.   However, I had a big question: the Japanese government announced border reopening just two months before the scheduled date. And they only allow group tours with guides who control the itinerary and sanitation. I wondered - are the two months long enough to sell group tours?   I believe most of travel companies start selling group tours at least 6 month ahead of the departure dates. Two months are ju

It was the end of March when I found a Youtube video showing how to make hand-made and washable face mask. It seemed easy to make, but unfortunately I was too clumsy and couldn’t make proper ones. Some became too big, some became too small. I never liked wearing facial masks. It is too stuffy and I can’t breathe properly. Here in Japan, it is not unusual to see many people wearing facial masks from around end of autumn to mid-spring. This is mainly due to the dry weather in winter, to keep the throat moist. Also, people try protect themselves contagious disease such as flu or common cold. Another reason is to protect from Cider Fever. There are millions of Cider trees planted across the country without much tending. So in spring, the Cider trees spout out pollens, which causes allergy and terrible sneezing. Also, fortunate thing is that Japan is not targeted by terrorist attack, so people can cover their faces. People in some countries feel uncomfortable seeing people covering their fa