Almost alone in Asakusa

COVID years have been very special in Japan. The country was rather spared at the beginning, and was very quick to close its borders. Japanese nationals could travel abroad as they wanted and come back with no controls, but the borders were tightly closed for foreigners, no matter their status. On a working visa or on a tourist one, it was the same. Even the permanent residents or those married to Japanese nationals could not come back to Japan.

As Orwellian as it was, it created a completely different atmosphere, especially in the very touristic spots. It was the perfect time to enjoy Kyoto for instance. Or as you can see on the picture above, places like the Senso-Ji in Asakusa. This one was taken on a “normal” day. Normally the place is filled with people, but this very day we were just a handful roaming around, including this little girl and her mom. People were really scared of COVID, foreigners were banned… and the streets were empty. I have never seen Senso-Ji so empty, so quiet, and I don’t think I will ever see it like that again.