State of Emergency Declared! Akihabara on January 8, 2021: Shortened business hours continue

We will introduce the situation in Akihabara on January 8, 2021, the first day of the state of emergency declaration.
So, what kind of changes have occurred?

Here's what Akihabara looked like the day before the announcement:

I went to the free information center in Akihabara! I also saw what it was like the day before the COVID-19 state of emergency was declared.

Here's what Akihabara looked like on the day after the declaration:

Akihabara after the state of emergency is lifted Restaurants, cherry blossom viewing spots, and parks

First state of emergency declared! Akihabara

Has the number of people decreased in Akihabara?

In front of the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station

Junk Street

This is what Akihabara Station and Junk Street look like.
It seems like the number of people on the streets is not much different from usual.
I didn't get the impression that there were fewer people on Chuo Street either.

Many stores are now open until 20pm!

The state of emergency declaration called for people to refrain from going out after 20 p.m., and many stores in Akihabara followed suit.

At Yodobashi Akiba, a notice was posted in the restaurant on the 8th floor saying that it would be open until 20 p.m., and the smoking area was also closed.

Akihabara station building, Atre Akihabara 1, will also shorten its opening hours to 20 p.m.

Restaurants in UDX are also operating on reduced hours.

Many restaurants that are not tenants of the building have also posted notices of changes to their business hours.

There are also collaboration cafes and con cafes.

In addition to restaurants, Toranoana, Tsukumo, Bic Camera and other stores also posted notices of shortened hours.

It seems that all the arcades are open until 20pm.

Janpara Akihabara Building 3 is temporarily closed

Janpara Akihabara Building 3 on Junk Street was temporarily closed due to a confirmed case of coronavirus.
It seems that purchases are accepted at other stores.

Is the free information center closed?

The free information center in Akihabara is closed today!! pic.twitter.com/l3EhQDMXvr

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) January 8, 2021

The free information center at the former Kitchen Jiro site was closed on this day.
It only opened on January 3, 2021, and there was no particular announcement, so it seems quite strange, but what on earth happened?

Will Meltsand Akihabara store also be closed?

Don Quijote's Melt Sandwich on the first floor is a quick decision pic.twitter.com/Uqo63lCR92

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) January 8, 2021

"Melt Sandwich Akihabara Store" on the first floor of "Don Quijote Akihabara Store" was closed.
This store just opened on December 4th, 2020, so does this mean it is closed?
Since there has been no particular announcement, it is difficult to judge, but there was also no particular announcement when the business model was changed from "MATCHA365," so it may be that "that is the case."

Akihabara Karaoke Hall also starts a super cheap campaign

Karaokekan's "Breaking Bad" campaign, which has been a hot topic on the internet, is also being held at the Akihabara store. pic.twitter.com/992jGifcCB

— Akihabara Base Camp (@akihabara_bc) January 8, 2021

On this day, Karaokekan's huge room rate discount campaign, which had become a hot topic online, was also being held at the Akihabara store.
Although you have to pay 600 yen for the drink bar, the total of 800 yen on weekdays and 1000 yen on weekends is quite cheap.

How has Akihabara changed?

When the state of emergency was last declared, there was panic buying of masks and tissues even at supermarkets in Akihabara, but this time it didn't seem to be the case.
Also, in terms of crowds, the streets did not disappear like they did last time, and it seemed to be normal.
For better or worse, it seems like the world is getting used to the coronavirus pandemic.

One visible difference from yesterday is that each store has announced shortened hours.
This is something that will be even more noticeable at night, as many stores are closing earlier in response to requests to refrain from going out after 20 p.m. and to shorten restaurant hours.

This state of emergency is scheduled to last until February 7, 2021, so I would like to continue to keep an eye on the situation in Akihabara during this time.