As in seriously, there were scarcely any people out on the streets though all restrictions had been lifted. We considered ourselves so fortunate to have this rare moment to capture a Kyoto that hasn’t been this empty or quiet in more than 20 years…. ↩

This weekend happens a long 4-day weekend, but the circumstances are dramatically different from when we went last month, with 300+ cases daily washing over Tokyo and Japan clearly in the throes of a second, much larger wave. Yet, governmental incomptence via an ill-timed and much criticised bungled “Go Travel” Campaign (warning, terrible governmental PDF) has resulted in literal bus loads of tourists swarming the streets of Kyoto, packed shoulder to shoulder. Needless to say, this will not end well…. ↩