omoide house

Showa Kinen Park has been closed since March 28th, 2020 for more than two months due to coronavirus pandemic in Japan. Since the Japanese government lifted the state of emergency throughout Japan including Tokyo, Showa Kinen Park is now open again to the public since June 1st, 2020. However, there are some restrictions.

Restrictions (Strongly Recommended)

The park is asking you the followings. I don’t think they are mandatory from the way they are written on their website. Nevertheless, these are strongly recommended.

1. Keep social distance
2. Put on a mask
3. Wash your hands
4. Stay home if you are not well
5. Do not visit the park if you live outside of Tokyo

Hmm… regarding #5, are they going to check your ID to see where your address is? I don’t think so. So I think they are basically asking you to not come. Does that mean foreign tourists visiting Tokyo should not go? Maybe… But not that there are many tourists. 🙁

Unavailable Facilities and Canceled Events

Although the park is open, some of the facilities will still be unavailable. Kids playing spaces are not open. Some of the restaurants (mainly where you eat-in are not available. However, places you can take-out foods are mostly available.

Full list is available here.

https://www.showakinen-koen.jp/wp-content/uploads/190ee9b4dbe31d108b797d2e95cdec35.pdf

In addition, some events are canceled. I tried to list them but then I decided not to. It is a long list and it almost seems none of the events in June are happening.

Annual Passport Can Be Extended

If you have an annual passport like me, there is a good news. The expiration date of your annual passport can be extended.

Two different rules are applied whether it is between March 28, 2020 and May 31, 2020 (during the park close) or after June 1, 2020 (after park is reopen). The calculation is a bit confusing so go check out the following official page for the list of extended dates for your annual password expiration date. (There are 9 pages of dates list!)

https://www.showakinen-koen.jp/wp-content/uploads/hayamihyo.pdf

Bring your annual password to the park entrance office for extension.

I’m happy that Showa Kinen Park is reopen now. But we still need to be cautious and careful. It’s important each individual takes responsibility so things don’t get any worse. Let’s stay safe!