Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe announced a plan to declare the State of Emergency for One Month (8 April – 6 May 2020) on today, 7 April 2020 for following prefectures:
Tokyo Kanagawa Saitama Chiba Osaka Hyogo Fukuoka
JPY 108 trillion Economic Measure etc
By reflecting case records.
Tokyo alone recorded as follows:
117 cases (4 April 2020) 145 cases (5 April 2020) 83 cases (6 April 2020)
We cannot identify the source for about 90% of cases.
My office has decided to work from home today and tomorrow.
This declaration is still requesting bases for self-restraint and doesn’t have any legal enforcement such as an arrest or fine.
Essential services will continue to operate.
We can still go out freely to supermarkets, convenient stores, drug stores, even office as need it.
I don’t have any Corona Tsukare (Corona Depression) because I’ve been commuting office every weekdays and I also had few Corona Sokai (Corona Evacuations) on weekends to enjoy fresh air when premises in Tokyo closed for weekends.
In Roppongi alone, two major shopping complex, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, closed last two weekends.
Events for Ohanami (Sakura viewing) are cancelled not to create the cluster.
I don’t feel suffocated by Jishuku (self-restrain) or no social life (gyms have been closed, flower arrangement classes have been cancelled/rescheduled, of course no dinner/lunch appointments, etc).
However, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable commuting to office by taking public transportation, subway.
These trains/subways cross other state of emergency prectures (states) such as Kanagawa (Yokohama), Chiba and Saitama.
I won’t have enough distance among other passengers.
It’s not crowded as rush hour train but we are about 50 cm apart or even next each other if I take a seat. (Ooops, I didn’t think of this).
And they are all strangers.
Do we need to take a risk…?
I expressed my worries to my boss because my job can be conducted at home.
Though the declaration of the state of emergency is effective 8 April 2020, the situation is serious now.
I’m happy that I’m free from the stress of catching public transportation today and tomorrow.
I’ve been cheering me up by putting springy nail colours.
Mirage & Day Dream
Walk in a park with Choco for his walk and Ohanami.
Nonetheless, I’m excited to work from home.
I woke up as usual.
Since I can save commuting time, I took a bath to increase my body temperature to enhance immune system.
Started detoxing
Two Carrots and One Apple
Brewed coffee for starting work.
My father gave me a voucher for Starbucks which validated till 13 April 2020.
I went to Starbucks last weekend but three Starbucks that I visited were closed.
I believe Starbucks might extend the validation date, but I was hesitated to go through the process or even to request for it.
Starbucks was opened yesterday so I bought a French Roast Coffee beans.
I received complementary drink, Kenya and sample of Columbia.
I brewed Columbia and I should start working. hahaha
This town is known for Gyoza (fried Chinese dumpling).
In fact, this is my first time to try Utsunomiya Gyoza at Utsunomiya.
There is Gyoza Dori (Gyoza Street).
There are many Gyoza specialized shops and Ramen (Japanized Chinese style noodle) and Gyoza restaurants.
The lamp is also in shape of Gyoza.
I queued and had my Gyoza at Goku, Gyoza Dori, Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
Niku (Meat) Gyoza and Jumbo Gyoza
Then proceeded to Nikko, Tochigi.
In Nikko, visited Kegon no Taki (Kegon Fall).
Today, there is a lift to go down to watch Kegon no Taki in front of it.
It’s very cold there and we can still see some snow.
We drove by Chuzenji-ko (Chuzenji Lake) and enjoyed the view from window.
Recently, we enjoyed warm temperature and suddenly its temperature dropped; therefore, we could see some steam from lake which makes lake look more scenic and mysterious.
We drove through woods on the way to Oku-Nikko, also very scenic.
We drove farther and reached Sengokugahara (wetland) where believed God of Mountain conducted battles.
There is another lake, Yuko (Yu Lake) at the entrance of Oku-Nikko area.
We finally reached Oku-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
We can stay this nice Washitsu (Japanese style room) together with Choco.
I went to dip in onsen (hot spring) before dinner.
There are two sections: Lower (bigger) and Upper (smaller).
Both equipped with indoor and outdoor/open-air bath.
UpperLower
It’s cold there; so that dipping in Onsen felt really nice.
I became thirsty after dipping in onsen so I enjoyed drinking cold Wakimizu (spring water).
After getting some rest, we had dinner with local sake made for Oki-Nikko Kogen Hotel.
I went to futon (Japanese style bed) early.
Next morning, I woke up with a surprise.
According to weather forecast, it predicted snow in Kanto region.
However, in few days, we will welcome April – Spring.
There could be some snow but I didn’t expect it to be thick.
Well, I was wrong….
It continued snowing and no sign of weakening.
I became panic because I came with normal tyres, not snow tyres.
To calm myself down, I went for morning dip.
It was still early and there were no one.
I supposed not to take any photos at the bath, but it was so romantic.
Quickly got ready and went to breakfast.
There are many varieties of food and there is an egg and bacons in the pot.
Continued monitoring snow and consulted hotel staffs who are local; well, I had to make a hard decision – abundant my car.
I think we made a wise decision because snow is thick and we surely could not drive through these windy roads: Irohazaka.
Reached Tobu Nikko Eki (Station) by hotel free shuttle bus.
Then Took train, Spacia, back to Asakusa, Tokyo.
Choco behaved his best on train.
I had a rich vanilla ice cream on the train while looking at these sceneries.
It’s scary but breath taking sceneries.
We cannot underestimate nature; I safely returned home.
My house is decorated with Hina Ningyo (Emperor and Emperess/ King and Queen).
These are collection of Mom and I.
Actually, there are more.
Perhaps, next year, we decorate all.
I bought Hinakamaboko (Dolls Surimi/Fish Cake) manufactured by Kagosei because I thought it is cute.
I’ve been hearing bad news but at least it is a nice springy day today on my birthday.
I cannot ask my friends to go out to celebrate my birthday due to COVID-19; but Yes, I’m having my red wine and cakes and Choco is celebrating with me. Yeah!
sonokotchi 