Monday in Tokyo
Today people began returning to work in Tokyo. A lot of people were understandably hesitant to return to their offices. Trains were running at minimal capacity with some at 20-30% which caused pockets of extreme crowded and pockets of emptiness.
Starbucks operating in darkness to conserve electricity.
Signs were taped on all of the windows on my 26th floor office saying ‘Don’t Touch’…a little unnerving.
One of the first things I did when I got to my desk was repack my earthquake kit. At 10.02am another earthquake struck in Ibaraki which was around magnitude 6.2. No damage but it was unnerving after only being in the office for an hour. A few companies closed as the staff was visibly shaken.
We also worked without lights at my company today to conserve power.
The busy streets of Shinjuku’s business district were virtually empty.
McDonald’s was missing it normal long lines. Sorry Manhattan Burger…
The crossing at Shinjuku’s South Exit is virtually empty.
A family collects donations for families up north.
Police patrol around the station.
The ticket lines that are typically 5-10 people deep are virtually empty.
News Teams cover the ‘action’ at the station.
The station is much more crowded on the platform with trains running at 20% capacity…
Ebisu Station was much less crowded…
Krispy Kreme was missing it signature long lines…
Today is ‘White Day’ in Japan where it is man’s turn to reciprocate the Valentines Day gifts so I stopped off at Chococro to get my wife and her mother some chocolate filled croissants for White Day. If you don’t know the Valentine’s Day tradition in Japan you can read about it here but what you need to know men is you need to buy a gift for your wife today.
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Thanks for sharing this precious post. I was just in Tokyo Sept – December. Just to see those photos again brings back memories and a sense of comfort. Thanks to you I know that Japan Post is up and running again (at least in Tokyo) and I can start sending ‘love parcels’ to my friends. I think they are in dire need of some chocolate and happy thoughts.
I was in Tokyo for almost a year and a half and your pics have brought back all those memories. Really vivid and telling pics mate! And because I have experienced how helpful and good the Japanese ppl are, I am able to relate to most of these pics even more! Really great job in capturing these moments Dave. Salute the spirit of the Japanese ppl!
Dave, you should consider sharing that bottle of opus that your wife gave you for v-day last month. Considering everyone is safe….sounds like a special occasion to me.
It does feel a bit surreal….let me know if I need to talk to your husband for you.
Nice to see that you didn’t get your wife a Manhattan burger for White Day! I am going to mention White Day to my husband right now…
As Kat has said – it must feel surreal? Will everyone keep going to work, and more and more people each day? Or do you see a trip to Mass. in your future?
I had forgotten about White Day. I suppose it feels sort of surreal to be walking around Tokyo today.